Design of hybrid-electric aircraft with fault-tolerance considerations

The potential benefits of hybrid-electric or all-electric propulsion have led to a growing interest in this topic over the past decade. Preliminary design of propulsion systems and innovative configurations has been extensively discussed in literature, but steps towards higher levels of technological readiness, optimisation algorithms based on reliable weight estimation and simulation-based mission analysis are required. This paper focuses on the integration of a method for evaluating the lateral-directional controllability of an aircraft within a design chain that integrates aero-propulsive interactions, accurate modelling of the fuel system, and mid-fidelity estimation of the structural weight. Furthermore, the present work proposes a strategy for powerplant management in scenarios with an inoperative chain element. Benefits of hybrid-electric propulsion on the design of the vertical tail plane are evaluated involving the analysis of multiple failure scenarios and certification requirements. The proposed application concerns a commuter aircraft.     

Effects of surface topography and specimen thickness on high-speed raindrop impact damage of CFRP laminates

Raindrop impact erosion has been observed since early days of aviation, and can be catastrophic for exposed materials during supersonic flight. A single impact waterjet apparatus is established for mimicking drop impacts at the velocities between 350 m/s and 620 m/s. Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer(CFRP) laminates with three different surface morphologies and specimen thicknesses are tested here. A central region with no visible damage has been noticed, surrounded by a “failure ring” with common...     

混杂纤维复合材料层板的抗弹冲击性能

为了考察混杂纤维复合材料层板的抗弹冲击性能,采用碳纤维织物或玻璃纤维织物与芳纶纤维织物复合材料层共固化的方式,利用热压罐成型工艺制备了几种具有不同面密度及铺层结构的混杂纤维复合材料层板,并进行抗弹冲击性能测试、表观形貌观察和无损检测分析。结果表明:纯芳纶纤维及混杂纤维复合材料层板的钢弹冲击破坏模式相同,均为表层剪切破坏,中间层分层破坏,背层拉伸断裂破坏;层间混杂顺序对复合材料层板的分层缺陷面积有较大影响,当碳纤维层作为背层时,层板的分层缺陷面积为12 863. 6 mm2小于玻璃纤维层作为背层时(17 400. 5 mm2);当芳纶层作为背板时,混杂纤维复合材料层板冲击后分层缺陷面积与纯芳纶的相当(14 151. 0～14 927. 0 mm2)。混杂纤维复合材料对层板的抗弹冲击性能有较大影响,混杂后复合材料的弹道极限速度(v50)均有一定程度的提高,其中玻璃纤维/芳纶复合材料的v50从纯芳纶复合材料层板的193. 08提高至204. 33 m/s。将碳纤维层或玻璃纤维层作为着弹面层的混杂纤维复合材料层板具有更优异的抗弹冲击性能,其贯穿比吸能(BPI)均优于纯芳纶复合材料层板。