Bental Industries has demonstrated a hybrid propulsion system for unmanned air vehicles. The Israeli company says its pusher-propeller powerplant combines an electric motor and internal combustion engine, with the electric motor acting as a starter for the IC engine, then becoming an alternator to charge the UAV's batteries and supply electric power to its systems, including payload.
When the UAV reaches its operational area, the IC engine is turned off and the alternator switches function to an electric motor that powers the UAV with low noise and thermal signature. On completion of the mission, the IC engine is restarted by the electric motor, which reverts to an alternator to recharge the batteries.
Michael Armon, Bental marketing vice-president, says a technology demonstrator has proved the sequence of the hybrid propulsion system. The critical seconds are between the electric motor stopping and IC engine restarting, he says.
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Switching to electric reduces noise |
Source: Flight International
