Solar Energy News
AEROSPACE
Electrifying flight: RTX's new lab tests advanced propulsion technologies
illustration only
Electrifying flight: RTX's new lab tests advanced propulsion technologies
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Apr 24, 2024

At a new lab in Rockford, Illinois, a vital experiment with a rectifier, small enough to be carried in a backpack, begins. This rectifier, part of a dynamometer setup, is key in converting alternating current to direct current-a critical step for powering hybrid electric unmanned aerial vehicles.

This lab, known as The Grid and operated by Collins Aerospace, a business unit of RTX, aims to pioneer the electrification of propulsion systems across various aircraft sizes. The initiative aligns with the broader industry goal of cutting carbon emissions.

Opened in October 2023, The Grid at Rockford provides extensive resources for testing from rectifiers to complete engines and their interoperability. Unlike other labs that are tailored for specific projects, The Grid's design allows for swift development and testing of multiple new technologies.

"The systems and the architectures that the lab represents are ones that haven't been flown before," said Tyler Hayes, Collins' discipline chief for propulsion electrification and hybrid systems. "So we hope to figure out what's possible for this new technology."

The Grid spans 25,000 square feet, offering unique advantages like full-system testing and the flexibility to simulate real-world configurations. Equipment in each corner of the lab, including up to eight dynamometers, facilitates comprehensive testing-from subsystem assembly to entire system simulation mimicking multiple aircraft engines.

Additionally, the lab's design includes a private substation for a stable power supply and a new solar array to provide renewable energy. An innovative load bank at The Grid also contributes excess electricity back to the local grid instead of wasting it.

The lab also features capabilities for emulating up to 4 megawatts of battery storage, which are essential for testing future battery systems on aircraft. "We're setting the bar for what a lab testing electrified powertrains should be. There's really nowhere else you can do this easily right now," Hayes explained. "The Grid is a critical piece to the whole puzzle of trying to put these systems together and test them in a way that makes it look and feel like the aircraft."

Looking forward, The Grid is engaged in several new projects, including SWITCH, a program led by the European Union's Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking. This initiative aims to develop hybrid electric and water-injected turbofan technologies that could significantly reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions in aviation.

"What SWITCH does," Hayes continued, "is take a single-aisle-size aircraft and says, 'How can we make the engine more efficient and better integrate things into the aircraft to provide fuel-burn savings through a hybrid engine that's more like something you would have in a hybrid car?'"

This collaborative effort will see Pratt and Whitney supplying a hybrid-electric-ready GTF engine, while Collins provides critical components such as megawatt-class electric machines, high-voltage DC distribution, and thermal management systems.

Related Links
RTX
Aerospace News at SpaceMart.com

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
AEROSPACE
Major search operation after Japan navy choppers crash
Tokyo (AFP) April 22, 2024
A major search operation continued off Japan on Monday for seven people missing after two navy helicopters apparently collided over the weekend, with one crew member confirmed dead. The SH-60K helicopters each with four crew on board were conducting submarine location drills late on Saturday off the Izu Islands in the Pacific Ocean. Ten ships and five aircraft from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force were combing the waters, aided by others from the Air Self-Defense Force and the coastguard, a ... read more

AEROSPACE
Twisting semiconductors enhances clean fuel generation efficiency

Transforming CO2 into green fuel with innovative sunlight-powered catalyst

Turning CO2 into Methanol at Room Temperature

Tripling the US Bioeconomy: The Billion-Ton Report's Blueprint for Sustainable Biomass

AEROSPACE
Why Animals Can Outrun Robots

Financial Times enters ChatGPT content deal

Bionic computing advances flexible robot control

'Harvesting data': Latin American AI startups transform farming

AEROSPACE
Offshore wind turbines may reduce nearby power output

Wind Energy Expansion Planned for China's Rural Areas

New study debunks myths about wind farm land use

China says 'highly concerned' over EU probe into wind turbine suppliers

AEROSPACE
Tesla wins key China security clearance during Musk visit

Car giants vie for EV crown at Beijing's Auto China show

Tesla CEO Musk meets China's number two official in Beijing

China's EV giant BYD misses Q1 revenue estimates

AEROSPACE
Salt battery enhances osmotic energy capture from river-sea convergence

Efficient DC power converter enhances microgrid sustainability

Research suggests new lithium source in pyrite

Enhancing fusion reactor control through combined plasma management techniques

AEROSPACE
France's EDF, Korea's KHNP bid in Czech nuclear tender

Framatome Launches $50 Million Expansion at Lynchburg Facility

IDTechEx Discusses the Role of Small Modular Reactors in Future Energy Systems

Framatome advances industrial production of new high-density nuclear fuel in Europe

AEROSPACE
EU lawmakers agree to exit energy treaty over climate fears

Biden targets fossil fuel power sector with tough new carbon rules

COP29 host says deal on climate aid essential but offers few details

G7 urged to be 'bold' in climate hotspot Italy

AEROSPACE
Despite gains in Brazil, forest destruction still 'stubbornly' high: report

Europe's overlooked Aspen forests: key to enhancing biodiversity and climate resilience

Presidents of Brazil, France announce green investment plan on Amazon visit

Planting trees in wrong places heats the planet: study

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.