Safran has revealed the first electric motor from its forthcoming ENGINeUS range of motors designed for use in hybrid and electric aircraft, after its successful ground testing and validation.
The French-company unveiled the ENGINeUS 45 motor at this year’s NBAA’s Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) in Orlando, Florida. The motor has a continuous power of 45kW with built-in, dedicated control electronics, an energy efficiency of over 94% and a power-to-weight ratio of 2.5kW/kg at 2,500rpm.
The motor on display had been tested and validated on Safran’s electrical integration benches to verify its performance. Safran has also tested four of these electric motors on the ground on a full distributed propulsion hybrid-electric system, which accurately recreates the demands of hybrid and electric aircraft.
Hervé Blanc, vice president and general manager of the electrical systems and motors division at Safran Electrical and Power said, “We are proud to present this equipment, that boasts top-level aeronautical performance from an electromagnetic, thermal and mechanical perspective. With this range of engines, we are making a major strategic shift towards the development of VTOL [vertical take-off and landing] and STOL [short take-off and landing] aircraft, thus opening up promising new markets for Safran.”
The ENGINeUS product line will eventually include a range of electric motors with a power output of up to 500kW.
According to Safran its motor technology consolidates several key conversion, control and battery interface functions to optimizes the performance of the electrical architecture and is mechanically and structurally designed to be suitable for use in aircraft.
Interested in hybrid-electric aircraft? Safran are one of the company’s participating in the Electric & Hybrid Aerospace Technology Symposium, the world’s leading international conference dedicated to ultra-low-emission aircraft technology and full-electric flight. The Symposium takes place on November 8-9 in Cologne, Germany. To register, go here.
