Aviation
Commercial /
Russia
Electric propulsion
Russian jet converted to electric hybrid will be tested using the Yak-40 platform
Yak 40
Por Dmitry Karpezo, CC BY-SA 3.0, via wikimedia commons
Rafael Ramos
4/29/2021
Scientific companies and agencies supported by the Russian government converted an old Yak-40 jet into a hybrid jet and turboprop configuration to test the technology.
The Ivchenko-Progress AI-25 engines have been replaced by the two Honeywell TFE731-5BR engines with a Klimov TV2-117 turboprop engine that will act as an electricity generator.
The combination of electric motors can generate between 400 and 500 kW of power, the equivalent of 680 horsepower at 2500 rpm and 800 volts. These are the highest numbers ever achieved by the project, which started in 2016. The electric motor weighs 100 kilograms. The aircraft uses cryogenic technology to cool the propulsion system.
Yak 40
Por Dmitry Karpezo, CC BY-SA 3.0, via wikimedia commons
SuperOx is one of the companies involved and provided the electric motor and the battery used for takeoff. The responsible for supplying the generator is the State Technical University of Aviation. In the future, SuperOx plans a propulsion project of the type for the Ilyushin Il-114.
Basically the SuperOx battery takes part in the YAK-40's takeoff effort, contributing its load to the takeoff traction. During the cruise flight, it accumulates energy while feeding the company's new electric motor, which drives a six-bladed propeller in front of the aircraft.
The development of this type of technology would be a big step for the Russian aerospace industry, so that the market for modern aircraft engines could win a new competitor.
The presentation of the plane with the propulsion system should take place at the MAKS 2021 air show, with the completion of the test flights scheduled for 2022.
Hyperlinks:
...
...
...
Rafael Ramos
Aviation enthusiast from an early age, he had his first contacts with the area developing that good old habit of spending dozens of hours in front of the screens of Micrsoft Flight Simulator and other simulators. With a solid background in various technological areas, including engineering and chemistry, Rafael has rejoined aviation as editor and author of articles and materials on our portal, providing invaluable help to the dynamics and expansion of the website and the aeronautical community, bringing us the news and updates so indispensable for us to remain current in our area of operation.
   
|