ELECTRIC AIRCRAFT
Electric motors have several advantages over conventional internal combustion engines.
The advantages are as follows:
Motor torque generation is much faster
Motor torque measurement is accurate
Distributed installation and independent control of motors are easy
Our research group has proposed many motion control methods that are unique to electric vehicles by taking advantage of electric motors.
Our Electric Aircraft (EA) team explores the applications of these advantages to electric aircraft.
Recently, research and development have been very active in EA.
Recently, research and development have been very active in EA.
Our previous research includes
Propeller control method by quick torque response
Range extension control by regeneration
Flight control by distributed electric propulsion
Quick yaw-rate control by electric ladder
Let's take a closer look.
Response comparison between electric propeller and internal combustion engine when given thrust reference.
As mentioned above, the torque generation of electric motors is much faster than that of internal combustion engines.
Gusts of wind can cause instability in aircraft.
Fast torque response of electric motors enables quick thrust generation to stabilize the aircraft.
We found that the thrust response is about 20 times faster than internal combustion engine aircraft.
Response comparison between electric propeller and internal combustion engine when given thrust reference.
We are studying ways to obtain electric power more efficiently by applying this mechanism at the time of descent before landing, not only to earn energy but also to maintain optimum rotation speed and propeller pitch.
Conversely, even when navigating, research is also conducted to minimize power consumption by adjusting the rotation speed and propeller pitch according to the navigation speed even if the same thrust is obtained.
