Design of Hybrid Propulsion Systems for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

A hybrid electric propulsion system with two or more energy sources has many advantages over conventional internal combustion (IC) engine power trains. The most recognized advantages are its low pollution, low noise, and reduced heat release. The application of hybrid electric propulsion for highway vehicles has successfully improved energy efficiency and reduced pollution. In the military, hybrid electric unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can be used effectively because they possess the capability for long flight time, better efficiency and stealth operation. According to DOD’s roadmap, conventional UAVs have made 500,000 flight hours in support of military missions as of October 2008. And the flight hours and functions of UAVs are expected to increase because their application may be expanded from military to civil service (such as for monitoring and detecting disaster, hazard, and environment conditions, and reserving backup power for emergency). Four hybrid propulsion models are considered in the paper, namely secondary shaft dualclutch, secondary shaft single-clutch, inline and planetary gear models. Among these four models, three prototypes for secondary shaft and inline configurations are built and presented.

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