You’ve heard of electric vehicles (EVs) but it’s time to bring electric-powered transportation to the skies. On April 19, 2024,Collins Aerospace(a subsidiary of RTX) announced that its state-of-the-art facility, The Grid, has startedimportant testingfor electrified propulsion on hybrid unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with the ultimate goal of bringing this technology to single-aisle aircraft.
Collins Aerospace’s The Grid
The Grid, opened by Collins in late 2023, is an advanced electric systems lab based in Rockford, Illinois. The 25,000-square-foot facility was designed to test and develop high-performance electric power systems, including electric motors, generators, controllers, and distribution systems, primarily tailored for aircraft for various aircraft sizes and missions.
One of its primary applications is in the development of hybrid electric aircraft, which combine traditional fuel-powered engines with electric propulsion systems. As the industry is starting to make strides from traditional combustion engines to electric or hybrid-electric propulsion, The Grid’s new technology will help the company create components that are aimed at increasing aircraft efficiency, andreducing carbon emissionsand even noise levels.
The Grid Technology and Testing
To test if the right amount of power needed for a hybrid electric UAV can be generated and handled, the company uses a dynamometer—a generator-spinning device. Testing will ensure that the electrons that travel through the dynamometer’s cables, and subsequently enter a backpack-sized rectifier, all move in the same direction instead of going back and forth. The success of the testing means that electrified flight could soon become a reality.
The facility is also equipped to test power systems specifically tailored for UAVs, which typically require lightweight and compact components. The Grid offers the capability to test full propulsion systems rather than individual components, allowing engineers to assess how different components interact with each other and with the aircraft’s overall systems.
The Grid Capabilities and Application
The Grid’s layout and infrastructure enable testing in real-world configurations, mimicking conditions found in actual aircraft. This includes stretching out cables over long distances, simulating multiple engines, and replicating the complete flight cycle from takeoff to landing.
The facility is also equipped with advanced data collection and analysis abilities, capable of collecting up to 2 million data points per second during tests, real-time monitoring, identification, performance parameter fine-tuning, and post-test analysis.
The Grid—Summary
Collins Aerospace’s The Grid’s capabilities represent an important advancement in the field of aviation, particularly in the sector of electric propulsion systems, as the industry shifts towards cleaner and more sustainable technologies.
The Grid’s focus on developing and refining electric power systems for aircraft applications aligns with larger environmental goals, such as reducing carbon emissions and improving fuel efficiency.
Image Credit: rtx.com
