ELECTRICAL TEST BENCH DRIVE

SYSTEMS: MECHANICAL INTERFACES

Results in Brief

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Aircraft energy generation components

An EU-funded project developed a test bench to evaluate the maturity of
technologies and electrical systems for more-electric aircraft.
INDUSTRIAL
TECHNOLOGIES

The EU Joint Technology Initiative (JTI) Clean

Sky is the most ambitious aeronautical
research programme ever launched in Europe.
Its mission is to develop breakthrough
technologies to significantly increase air
transport environmental performance,
resulting in less noisy and more fuel-efficient
© Lica Flore aircraft.

Studying innovative energy management

architectures is an essential step towards realising the concept of more-electric
aircraft, a stepping stone to all-electric aircraft. In the EU-funded project 'Electrical
test bench drive systems: Μechanical interfaces' (ELTESTSYS), researchers
developed a modular test rig to validate the electrical system and equipment
integration and the quality of the energy produced.

The ELTESTSYS test bench consists of four identical driving systems, associated
control and power cabinets, and a control and storage computer. Each system drives
a single generator or starter-generator and is able to simulate electricity generation
and electrical starting of the aircraft engine. Furthermore, any two driving systems

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can be synchronised in speed and position, in addition to functioning simultaneously
or not, independently or interdependently, and being locally or remotely controlled.

A high-efficiency cylindrical gearbox with a recess gear system is used to transmit

power and is also bidirectional and birotational. The system has low noise emissions
and uses a reduced amount of oil.

At the low-speed shaft, the gearbox is connected to the direct current motor through
a backlash-free torsionally stiff metal bellows coupling. At the high-speed shaft,
ELTESTSYS used two hydraulic hub–shaft connections and a torquemeter.

For cooling and lubricating the gearbox, researchers designed a lubrication and
cooling group. Furthermore, they designed mounting interfaces and a bursting shield
to protect operators and the test bench in case of failure of the equipment under test.

By bringing up innovative solutions in mechanical high-speed transmissions and

improving electrical test benches, ELTESTSYS should contribute to increasing the
competitiveness of the aeronautics industry.

Keywords
Energy generation, test bench, electric aircraft, drive systems, mechanical interfaces

Project Information

ELTESTSYS Funded under

FP7-JTI
Grant agreement ID: 270584
Overall budget
Project website  € 646 000

Status EU contribution
Closed project € 440 675

Start date End date Coordinated by

1 August 2011 30 November 2013 STRAERO-INSTITUTUL PENTRU
CALCULULSI EXPERIMENTAREA
STRUCTURILOR AERO-
ASTONAUTICE S.A.
  Romania

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Last update: 23 February 2015

Record number: 156572

Permalink: https://cordis.europa.eu/article/id/156572-aircraft-energy-generation-
components

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© European Union, 2021

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