Distribution of Power
- Magazine Feature Article
- 13AERD0603_02
- English
When designing the electrical distribution system for a turboelectric architecture, it is imperative to select technologies that will provide the highest efficiency and stability for the propulsion system.
Turboelectric propulsion is a revolutionary system in which the propulsor (fan) is not connected to the turbine through a mechanical connection; thus, both components can be set at their individual optimum speeds. Also, turboelectric propulsion makes use of distributed fans, using several small fans in place of the traditional large propulsors on the wings or sides of the fuselage.
Distributed fans are usually placed on the top side of the fuselage of a blended wing body aircraft to take advantage of boundary layer ingestion that increases fan performance. The smaller fans can run at faster speeds than their larger counterpart in a turbofan engine.