Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A Review of Critical Technologies for Making a More Electric Engine

  • GENERAL ISSUES OF ENGINEERING
  • Published:
Journal of Machinery Manufacture and Reliability Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The requirements for improvement of the efficiency, reliability, and environmental safety, as well as for reducing the weight and size for aircraft devices and systems, are decisive in choosing the direction of development of the aviation industry. The development of the concept of more electric aircraft and the concept of an more electric engine, which involves replacing hydraulic and pneumatic systems by electric equivalents, is gaining ever more popularity. Both individual research groups and global aircraft engineering and aviation corporations are paying attention to the development of these promising technologies. The concept of more electric aircraft is widely covered in the scientific and technical literature, whereas the concept of an more electric engine included therein has not received such attention. This paper presents an overview of publications devoted to the use of electric machines for the more electric engine. The paper is focused on electric machines embedding into aircraft engine shafts (embedded starter-generators for a high-pressure shaft cascade and embed electric generators for a low-pressure shaft cascade, and electric drives of fuel-and-oil systems, as well as the use of electric machines in air conditioning systems onboard an aircraft).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 3.
Fig. 4.
Fig. 5.
Fig. 6.
Fig. 7.
Fig. 8.
Fig. 9.
Fig. 10.
Fig. 11.

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  1. Zhang, Q.,Sztykiel, M., Norman, P., and Burt, G., Towards dual and three-channel electrical architecture design for more-electric engines, Aerospace Systems and Technology Conf., 2018.  https://doi.org/10.4271/2018-01-1935

  2. European Commission, Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, Flightpath 2050: Europe’s vision for aviation: maintaining global leadership and serving society’s needs, Publications Office, 2011.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Lee, D., International aviation and the Paris Agreement temperature goals, Department for Transport, 2018.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Moir, I., Seabridge, A., and Jukes, M., Civil Avionics Systems, John Wiley and Sons, 2013.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  5. Jones, R.I., The more electric aircraft—Assessing the benefits, Proc. of the Inst. of Mechanical Engineers, G, 2002, vol. 216, no. 5, pp. 259–269.  https://doi.org/10.1243/095441002321028775

  6. Rosero, J.A., Ortega, J.A., Aldabas, E., and Romeral, L., Moving towards a more electric aircraft, IEEE Aerosp. Electron. Syst. Mag., 2007, vol. 22, no. 3, pp. 3–9.  https://doi.org/10.1109/MAES.2007.340500

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Newman, R., The more electric engine concept, SAE Technical Paper no. 2004-01-3128, 2004.  https://doi.org/10.4271/2004-01-3128

  8. Arabul, A.Yi., Kurt, E., Arabul, F.K., Senol, İ., Schrötter, M., Bréda, R., and Megyesi, D., Perspectives and development of electrical systems in more electric aircraft, Int. J. Aerosp. Eng., 2021, vol. 2021, p. 5519842.  https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/5519842

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Tom, L., Khowja, M., Vakil, G., and Gerada, C., Commercial aircraft electrification-current state and future scope, Energies, 2021, vol. 14, no. 24, p. 8381.  https://doi.org/10.3390/en14248381

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Provost, M.J., The more electric aero-engine: a general overview from an engine manufacturer, 2002 Int. Conf. on Power Electronics, Machines and Drives, Santa Fe, N.M., 2002, IET, 2002, pp. 246–251.  https://doi.org/10.1049/cp:20020122

  11. Naayagi, R.T., A review of more electric aircraft technology, 2013 Int. Conf. on Energy Efficient Technologies for Sustainability, Nagercoil, India, 2013, IEEE, 2013, pp. 750–753.  https://doi.org/10.1109/ICEETS.2013.6533478

  12. Mazzoleni, M., Di Rito, G., and Previdi, F., Electro-Mechanical Actuators for the More Electric Aircraft, Advances in Industrial Control, Cham: Springer, 2021.  https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-61799-8

  13. Pluijms, A., Schmidt, K.-J., Stastny, K., and Chibisov, B., Performance comparison of more electric engine configurations, Turbo Expo: Power for Land, Sea, and Air, 2008, vol. 43116, pp. 113–122.  https://doi.org/10.1115/GT2008-50758

  14. Abu-Rub, H., Malinowski, M., and Al-Haddad, K., Power Electronics for Renewable Energy Systems, Transportation and Industrial Applications, John Wiley and Sons, 2014.  https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118755525

    Book  Google Scholar 

  15. Faleiro, L. and Schievelbusch, B., Integrated equipment systems for a more electric aircraft-hydraulics and pneumatics, 24th Int. Congress of the Aeronautical Sciences.

  16. A380, Unique passenger experience. https://www.airbus.com/en/products-services/commercial-aircraft/passenger-aircraft/a380

  17. Sarlioglu, B. and Morris, C.T., More electric aircraft: Review, challenges, and opportunities for commercial transport aircraft, IEEE Trans. Transp. Electrific, 2015, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 54–64.  https://doi.org/10.1109/TTE.2015.2426499

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Schefer, H., Fauth, L., Kopp, T.H., Mallwitz, R., Friebe, J., and Kurrat, M., Discussion on electric power supply systems for all electric aircraft, IEEE Access, 2020, vol. 8, pp. 84188–84216.  https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2020.2991804

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Legkonogikh, D.S., Golev, I., Preobrazhensky, A., and Zelenin, A., Application specifics of electrically driven units in an aircraft power plants, Tr. Mosk. Aviats. Inst., 2018, no. 101, p. 21.

  20. 787 Propulsion system. https://www.boeing.com/commercial/aeromagazine/articles/2012_q3/2/.

  21. Clark, S.F., 787 propulsion system, Aero Q., 2012, no. 3, pp. 5–13.

  22. GEnx engine. https://www.geaviation.com/propulsion/commercial/genx.

  23. Trent 1000. https://www.rolls-royce.com/site-services/images/trent-1000-infographic.aspx.

  24. Secunde, R.R., Macosko, R.P., and Repas, D.S., Integrated engine-generator concept for aircraft electric secondary power, NASA Tech. Memorandum X-2579, Washington: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 1972.

  25. Hirst, M., McLoughlin, A., Norman, P.J., and Galloway, S.J., Demonstrating the more electric engine: A step towards the power optimised aircraft, IET Electr. Power Appl., 2011, vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 3–13.  https://doi.org/10.1049/iet-epa.2009.0285

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Besnard, J.P., Biais, F., and Martinez, M., Electrical rotating machines and power electronics for new aircraft equipment systems, 25th Int. Congress of the Aeronautical Sciences, 2006, vol. 6, p. 3479.

  27. Rubino, S., Bojoi, R., Cavagnino, A., and Vaschetto, S., Asymmetrical twelve-phase induction starter/generator for more electric engine in aircraft, 2016 IEEE Energy Conversion Congress and Exposition (ECCE), Milwaukee, Wis., 2016, IEEE, 2016, pp. 1–8.  https://doi.org/10.1109/ECCE.2016.7854889

  28. Bottauscio, O., Serra, G., Zucca, M., and Chiampi, M., Role of magnetic materials in a novel electrical motogenerator for the more electric aircraft, IEEE Trans. Magn., 2014, vol. 50, no. 4, p. 8200704.  https://doi.org/10.1109/TMAG.2013.2284937

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Bojoi, R., Cavagnino, A., Tenconi, A., and Vaschetto, S., Multiphase PM machine for more electric aircraft applications: prototype for design validation, IECON 2012–38th Annu. Conf. on IEEE Industrial Electronics Society, Montreal, 2012, IEEE, 2012, pp. 3628–3634.  https://doi.org/10.1109/IECON.2012.6389315

  30. Muehlbauer, K. and Gerling, D., Two-generator-concepts for electric power generation in more electric aircraft engine, The XIX Int. Conf. on Electrical Machines–ICEM 2010, Rome, 2010, IEEE, 2010, pp. 1–5.  https://doi.org/10.1109/ICELMACH.2010.5607966

  31. Kreuzer, S. and Niehuis, R., Commissioning of split power offtake on a twin-spool more electric engine demonstrator, Turbo Expo: Power for Land, Sea, and Air. Am. Soc. of Mechanical Engineers, 2017, vol. 50770, p. GT2017-63320.  https://doi.org/10.1115/GT2017-63320

  32. Powell, D., Jewell, G., Ede, J., and Howe, D., An integrated starter/generator for a large civil aero-engine, 3rd Int. Energy Conversion Engineering Conf., San Francisco, 2005, AIAA, 2005, p. 2005-5550.  https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2005-5550

  33. Powell, D.J., Jewell, G.W., Calverley, S.D., and Howe, D., Iron loss in a modular rotor switched reluctance machine for the “more-electric” aero-engine, IEEE Trans. Magn., 2005, vol. 41, no. 10, pp. 3934–3936.  https://doi.org/10.1109/TMAG.2005.854963

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Ismagilov, F.R., Khairullin, I.Kh., Vavilov, V.E., Farrakhov, D.R., Yakubov, A.M., and Bekuzin, V.I., A high-temperature frameless starter-generator integrated into an aircraft engine, Russ. Aeronaut., 2016, vol. 59, no. 1, pp. 107–111.  https://doi.org/10.3103/S1068799816010177

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Vavilov, V., Integrated high-temperature starter-generator for aerospace vehicles. Testing of a scaled-size prototype, Int. Rev. Aerosp. Eng., 2017, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 24–30.  https://doi.org/10.15866/irease.v10i1.11034

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Robbins, D., Bobalik, J., De Stena, D., Martin, N., Plag, K., Rail, K., and Wall, K., F-35 subsystems design, development & verification, F-35 Track–Air System Design, AIAA, 2018, p. 2018-3518.  https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2018-3518

    Book  Google Scholar 

  37. Wiegand, C., F-35 air vehicle technology overview, F-35 Track–Program Overview, AIAA, 2018, p. 2018-3368.  https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2018-3368

    Book  Google Scholar 

  38. Richter, E., Anderson, R.E., and Severt, C., The integral starter/generator development progress, SAE Tech. Paper no. 920967, 1992.  https://doi.org/10.4271/920967

  39. Rolls-Royce develops world-first electrical technology for next-generation Tempest programme. https://www.rolls-royce.com/media/press-releases/2020/09-01-2020-rr-develops-world-first-electrical-technology-for-next-generation-tempest-programme.aspx.

  40. Pang, J., Liu, W., Sun, Ch., and Wei, Zh., Influence of PM wedges in wound-rotor synchronous starter/generator, 22nd Int. Conf. on Electrical Machines and Systems (ICEMS), Harbin, China, 2019, IEEE, 2019, pp. 1–5.  https://doi.org/10.1109/ICEMS.2019.8922315

  41. Zhang, G.H., Ma, C.Q., Sun, H.Y., Zhang, L.F., Liu, L., and Wang, K., Optimization design of interior PM starter-generator, 20th Int. Conf. on Electrical Machines and Systems (ICEMS), Sydney, 2017, IEEE, 2017, pp. 1–5.  https://doi.org/10.1109/ICEMS.2017.8056253

  42. Jiang, S., Zhou, Bo, Yu, X., Shi, H., Xiong, L., and Ren, Ch., Analysis and design of embedded high-temperature doubly salient electro-magnetic starter/generator for aviation, 24th Int. Conf. on Electrical Machines and Systems (ICEMS), Gyeonjgu, Korea, 2021, IEEE, 2021, pp. 1500–1505.  https://doi.org/10.23919/ICEMS52562.2021.9634331

  43. Cavagnino, A., Li, Z., Tenconi, A., and Vaschetto, S., Integrated generator for more electric engine: Design and testing of a scaled-size prototype, IEEE Trans. Ind. Appl., 2013, vol. 49, no. 5, pp. 2034–2043.  https://doi.org/10.1109/TIA.2013.2259785

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Tosetti, M., Maggiore, P., Cavagnino, A., and Vaschetto, S., Conjugate heat transfer analysis of integrated brushless generators for more electric engines, IEEE Trans. Ind. Appl., 2014, vol. 50, no. 4, pp. 2467–2475.  https://doi.org/10.1109/TIA.2013.229665

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Ede, J., Jewell, G., Atallah, K., Powell, D., Cullen, J., and Mitcham, A., Design of a 250 kW, fault-tolerant PM generator for the more-electric aircraft, 3rd Int. Energy Conversion Engineering Conf., San Francisco, 2005, AIAA, 2005, p. 2005-5644.  https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2005-5644

  46. Jiang, S., Zhou, Bo, Zhao, F., and Wang, K., Analysis and design of a variable speed operating embedded doubly salient electromagnetic generator for more electric aircraft, 22nd Int. Conf. on Electrical Machines and Systems (ICEMS), Harbin, China, 2019, IEEE, 2019, pp. 1–5.  https://doi.org/10.1109/ICEMS.2019.8921424

  47. Popov, V., Yepifanov, S., Kononykhyn, Ye., and Tsaglov, A., Architecture of distributed control system for gearbox-free more electric turbofan engine, Aerospace, 2021, vol. 8, no. 11, p. 316.  https://doi.org/10.3390/aerospace8110316

    Article  Google Scholar 

  48. Morioka, N., Oyori, H., Kakiuchi, D., and Ozawa, K., More electric engine architecture for aircraft engine application, Turbo Expo: Power for Land, Sea, and Air, 2011, vol. 54631, p. GT2011-46765, pp. 477–486.  https://doi.org/10.1115/GT2011-46765

  49. Steimes, J. and Hendrick, P., Dimensional analysis of an integrated pump and de-aerator solution in more electric aero engine oil systems, Aeronaut. J., 2017, vol. 121, no. 1240, pp. 803–820.  https://doi.org/10.1017/aer.2017.28

    Article  Google Scholar 

  50. Gurevich, O., Gulienko, A., and Schurovskiy, U., Demonstration systems of the “electric” gas turbine engine, 29th Congress of the Int. Council of the Aeronautical Sciences, St. Petersburg, 2014.

  51. Gurevich, O.S. and Gulienko, A.I., The gas turbine engine for a “electric” long-range aircraft–The “electric” GTE, Aviats. Dvigateli, 2019, no. 1, pp. 7–14.  https://doi.org/10.54349/26586061_2019_1_7

  52. Gurevich, O.S., Gulienko, A.I., and Shchurovskii, Yu.M., Features of developing and selecting characteristics of electrically driven GTE lubrication systems, Aviats. Dvigateli, 2021, no. 3, pp. 5–18.  https://doi.org/10.54349/26586061_2021_3_5

  53. Oyori, H., Morioka, N., Seta, M., Shimomura, Y., et al., A motor control design for the more electric aero engine fuel system, SAE Tech. Paper no. 2011-01-2619, 2011.  https://doi.org/10.4271/2011-01-2619

  54. Morioka, N. and Oyori, H., Fuel pump system configuration for the more electric engine, SAE Technical Paper no. 2011-01-2563, 2011.  https://doi.org/10.4271/2011-01-2563

  55. Morioka, N. and Oyori, H., Fuel system design for the more electric engine, Turbo Expo: Power for Land, Sea, and Air. Am. Soc. of Mechanical Engineers, 2012, vol. 44670, pp. 767–774.  https://doi.org/10.1115/GT2012-68374

  56. Morioka, N., Oyori, H., Gonda, Yu., Takamiya, K., and Yamamoto, Ya., Development of the electric fuel system for the more electric engine, Turbo Expo: Power for Land, Sea, and Air. Am. Soc. of Mechanical Engineers, 2014, vol. 45752, p. V006T06A018.  https://doi.org/10.1115/GT2014-26277

  57. Morioka, N. and Oyori, H., Improved engine efficiency via the more electric engine, 50th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting Including the New Horizons Forum and Aerospace Exposition, Nashville, Tenn., 2012, AIAA, 2012, p. 2012-0110.  https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2012-110

  58. Morioka, N. and Oyori, H., More electric architecture for engine and aircraft fuel system, SAE Tech. Paper no. 2013-01-2080, 2013. https://doi.org/10.4271/2013-01-2080

  59. Seki, N., Morioka, N., Oyori, H., and Yamamoto, Ya., Development of fuel control system for more electric engine, Turbo Expo: Power for Land, Sea, and Air. Am. Soc. of Mechanical Engineers, 2015, vol. 56758, p. A020.  https://doi.org/10.1115/GT2015-43213

  60. Mecrow, B.C., Jack, A.G., Atkinson, D.J., and Haylock, J.A., Fault tolerant drives for safety critical applications, IEE Colloq. on New Topologies for Permanent Magnet Machines, London, 1997, IEEE, 1997, pp. 5/1–5/7.  https://doi.org/10.1049/ic:19970522

  61. Mecrow, B.C., Jack, A.G., Atkinson, D.J., Green, S.R., Atkinson, G.J., King, A., and Green, B., Design and testing of a four-phase fault-tolerant permanent-magnet machine for an engine fuel pump, IEEE Trans. Energy Convers., 2004, vol. 19, no. 4, pp. 671–678.  https://doi.org/10.1109/TEC.2004.832074

    Article  Google Scholar 

  62. Haylock, J.A., Mecrow, B.C., Jack, A.G., and Atkinson, D.J., Operation of a fault tolerant pm drive for an aerospace fuel pump application, IEE Proc. Electr. Power Appl., 1998, vol. 45, no. 5, pp. 441–448.  https://doi.org/10.1049/ip-epa:19982164

    Article  Google Scholar 

  63. Routex, J.-Y., An electrical fuel pumping and metering system for more electrical aero-engines, ICAS 2006, 25th Int. Congress of the Aeronautical Sciences, Hamburg, 2006.

  64. Gurevich, O.S. and Guliyenko, A.I., Concept to select characteristics of electric drives for fuel supply systems of aircraft gas turbine engines, 2019 Int. Conf. on Electrotechnical Complexes and Systems (ICOECS), Ufa, 2019, IEEE, 2019, pp. 1–3.  https://doi.org/10.1109/ICOECS46375.2019.8949938

  65. Ismagilov, F.R., Vavilov, V.E., Farrahov, D.R., Bekuzin, V.I., and Miniyarov, A.Kh., Fault-tolerant brushless external-rotor motor for fuel pumps, 26th Int. Workshop on Electric Drives: Improvement in Efficiency of Electric Drives (IWED), Moscow, 2019, IEEE, 2019, pp. 1–5.  https://doi.org/10.1109/IWED.2019.8664241

  66. Ensign, T., Performance and weight impact of electric environmental control system and more electric engine on citation CJ2, 45th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit, Reno, Nev., 2007, AIAA, 2007, p. 2007–1395.  https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2007-1395

  67. Mildice, J.W., Hansen, I.G., Schreiner, K.E., and Roth, M.E., Variable-speed induction motor drives for aircraft environmental control compressors, IECEC 96. Proc. 31st Intersociety Energy Conversion Engineering Conf., Washington, 1996, IEEE, 1996, vol. 1, pp. 209–214.  https://doi.org/10.1109/IECEC.1996.552872

  68. Volokitina, E.V., Vlasov, A.I., Kopchak, A.L., Moskvin, Ye.V., and Tebenkov, F.G., Development of high-speed electric drive compressor of aircraft air-conditioning system, Elektron. Elektrooborudov. Transp., 2013, no. 3, pp. 34–39.

  69. Volokitina, E.V., Yerokhin, D.V., Moskvin, Ye.V., and Vshivtsev, M.N., Test complex of the high speed electric drive for compressor of air-condition system, Elektron. Elektrooborudov. Transp., 2013, no. 3, pp. 40–43.

Download references

Funding

This work was supported in the scope of a State Assignment of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, project no. 0838-2020-0006.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. JSC ODK-Aviadvigatel’, 614990, Perm, Russia

    I. G. Lisovin

  2. Ufa State Aviation Technical University, 450008, Ufa, Russia

    F. R. Ismagilov, V. E. Vavilov, R. G. Dadoyan & E. A. Pronin

Authors
  1. I. G. Lisovin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. F. R. Ismagilov
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. V. E. Vavilov
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. R. G. Dadoyan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. E. A. Pronin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to E. A. Pronin.

Ethics declarations

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Translated by O. Polyakov

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Lisovin, I.G., Ismagilov, F.R., Vavilov, V.E. et al. A Review of Critical Technologies for Making a More Electric Engine. J. Mach. Manuf. Reliab. 51 (Suppl 1), S132–S147 (2022). https://doi.org/10.3103/S1052618822090205

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.3103/S1052618822090205

Keywords:

Search

Navigation