Parallel-hybrid electric propulsion optimization for regional turboprop aircraft

混合电力推进有可能降低运输机的燃料消耗，同时在可预见的未来比全电动飞机更适合执行传统任务。一种潜在的动力系统架构是并联混合动力电动系统。发电机/电动机与常规涡轮轴发动机并联，以在地面或飞行中的特定阶段补充发动机。通过减少燃气涡轮机在低效率（例如接近空转）下的操作，可以实现燃料燃烧减少近30%，从而减少排放和操作成本。 该研究项目旨在开发关键知识，探索和优化涡轮螺旋桨支线飞机的并联混合动力电力推进，无论是单发动机还是多发动机飞机配置。混合动力系统优化是复杂的，因为它与飞机高度耦合，它需要详细的热仿真，并且没有历史趋势可以支持设计过程。 将开发一个参数化、时间推进的飞机和动力系统模拟器（第二时标），以便在整个使命中分析和优化系统。模拟器将考虑故障分析、热管理、瞬态机械响应、各种环境条件和使命剖面。特别是，最佳解决方案应符合当前和预期的未来监管，如可用储备和错过的方法。为了提高最优解的可视化和探索，本项目包括多维帕累托边界的生成。研究人员还将进行详细的电气模拟（毫秒级），以确定混合架构的潜在挑战并确定缓解措施。在集成的30 kW和150 kW试验台上进行的实验测试将验证各个模型。这项研究项目将使加拿大受益，因为它将为普惠加拿大公司（PWC）提供新的商业机会，该公司的目标是在未来几年内将基于研究成果的技术商业化。

Hybrid-electric propulsion has the potential to reduce the fuel consumption of transport aircraft while being much more realistic than full-electric aircraft for conventional missions for the foreseeable future. One potential powertrain architecture is the parallel hybrid-electric system. A generator/motor is added in parallel to conventional turboshaft engines to supplement the engine on the ground or in flight during specific phases. By reducting the gas turbine operation at low efficiency, such as near-idle, a reduction in fuel burn near 30% can be achieved, thus reducing emissions and operating cost. This research project aims at developing the key knowledge to explore and optimize parallel-hybrid electric propulsion for turboprop regional aircraft, both for single and multiengine aircraft configuration. Hybrid-electric powertrain optimization is complex since it is highly coupled with the aircraft, it requires detailed thermal simulation, and no historical trends can support the design process. A parametric, time-marching aircraft and powertrain simulator (second timescale) will be developed to analyse and optimize the system throughout the mission. The simulator will consider failure analysis, thermal management, transient mechanical response, various environmental conditions and mission profiles. In particular, the optimal solutions should comply to current and expected future regulation, such as the available reserve and missed approach. To improve the visualization and exploration of the optimal solutions, this project includes the generation of multidimensional pareto frontiers. The researchers will also perform a detailed electrical simulations (milisecond timescale) to identify potential challenges of the hybrid architecture and identify mitigation actions. Experimental test on an integrated 30 kW and 150 kW test bed will validate individual models. This research projet will benefit Canada as it will provide new business opportunities for Pratt and Whitney Canada (PWC), which aims at commercializing the technology based on the research results in the coming years.