Finite Element Analysis of Solar impulse aircraft
- 1. SolarImpulse Aircraft Finite Element Analysis & Case Study
- 2. Objective To analyze and understand the Finite element analysis of the Solar Impulse Aircraft
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- 4. Vision/Aim of Solar Impulse Project 4 “To have an airplane that can 1. take off and fly autonomously, day and night, 2. propelled uniquely by solar energy, right around the world 3. without fuel or pollution
- 5. Solar Impulse Foundation Solving environmental issues via profitability and innovation A 1000 solutions to protect the environment! • R&D for sustainable development technology • Developing solutions to tackle climate change and rally around people who think otherwise • Example(s): Drones for analysing the damaged façade of building • Method of reducing methane from cows and livestock 5
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- 7. 7 o Led by Swiss psychiatrist and aeronaut, Bertrand Piccard, and Swiss engineer and entrepreneur, André Borschberg. o Swiss Aircraft; powered entirely by Solar energy. o Use of Novel Materials o Superlight Design o 2 models Designed o Solar Impulse 1 (HB-SIA): 2010 o Solar Impulse 2 (HB-SIB): 2014 Crux
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- 9. Project Goals and Facts 9 • circumnavigate the earth in a fixed- wing aircraft that uses only solar power. • most lightweight, efficient structure they could build to carry their pilots around the globe • Most critical challenge: Weight Reduction • July 2016, the Solar Impulse 2 became the first solar-powered aircraft to circumnavigate the world.
- 10. Features Solar Impulse 2 is discussed 10
- 11. Features (Solar Impulse 2) Length 22.4 m 73.5 ft. Wing Span 71.9 m 236 ft. Wing Area 269.5 sq. m. 2901 sq. ft. Aspect Ratio 19.2 Take off Wight 2000 kg 4400 lb page 11
- 12. Power House and Performance Power Plant Electric Motors 4 In number 13 kW each (17.4 HP) Lithium-ion batteries 4 in number 41 kWh Performance Maximum Speed: 140 km/h Cruise Speed: 90 km/hr Ceiling Service Ceiling: 8500 m Maximum Altitude: 12000 m page 12
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- 15. Comparison Solar Impulse • Lighter • Larger Wingspan • One Pilot Aircraft with no payload capacity • Intended to run only on Solar energy • Technology Demonstration Conventional Aircraft • Heavier • Shorter Wingspan • Multiple pilot and high payload bearing capacity • Can run only on fossil fuels • Commercial and Defence activities 15 FACT: Solar Impulse 2 has a wingspan larger as compared to that of Boeing-747 but weighs roughly as much as a large family car.
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- 17. The Finite ElementAnalysis The FEA of Solar Impulse o For the Structural analysis o Femap™ with NX™ Nastran® software (developed by Siemens PLM Software) o To perform special analyses like aero elasticity and rotor dynamics. 17
- 18. Femap Functionality Derivation o Femap with NX Nastran supports all the different types of analysis (strength, buckling, large deformation, etc.) o Steps Employed: o Input of Solar Impulse design geometry from the native CAD system, in STEP or IGES format. o The software’s own modelling functionality used (Compatible with Solar Impulse Design) o Especially for the composite materials that make up a large portion of the plane. o The analysts at Solar Impulse used both imported geometry and the modelling tools within Femap. 18
- 19. Analysis and facts o The analysts initially used the CAD geometry of the wing’s outer surfaces to create a simple analysis model in order to look at load paths. o Later they added 3D solid elements representing the Kevlar aramid paper honeycomb core for more detailed analyses such as local and global buckling. o FE models for the plane’s metal components range in size from 50,000 to 500,000 elements. o The model of the main wing structure contains two million elements. Normally the analysts evaluate 10 to 20 load cases, but endurance analyses look at as many as 160. 19
- 20. Roleof Automation Cause’ automation saves time! 20
- 21. Usage of Scripts and API • Team took advantage of Femap API, for script writing and automating analysis work • E.g.: Company’s own programmed strength criteria is implied with a useful script, helping to automate laminate verification • Script for analyses of composite parts • Automatic evaluation of results according to ply with highest stresses 21 Scripts such as these save time and, equally importantly, help ensure the accuracy of the analyses ~says Piller Head of Structural analysis ,Solar Impulse “ ”
- 23. Achievements Solar Impulse has had its bit of accomplishments! 23
- 24. Structural Achievements • Using FEA with Femap, Solar Impulse was able to reduce weight across the aircraft structure • Cockpit size: • Increase in size by 3X • Decrease in weight by 2X • The new cockpit is so much roomier that the Solar Impulse website jokingly claims that the company has “upgraded the pilot to business class.” • Wings • The new plane’s wing structure is another place where the analysts were able to achieve significant weight reduction. • Consists of a Kevlar honeycomb core covered with an advanced carbon fiber material. • Material weighing 100 grams per square meter to one weighing 25 grams per square meter was used ;a significant weight reduction. 24
- 25. Motor Gondola • The second plane had to carry a heavier load, but the weight increase was kept to a minimum • This was achieved in part by changing from a framework structure with fairing to a sandwich structure and, in part, by using FEA to optimize components such as facings and spar caps. 25
- 26. Adarsh Agrawal 1RV16AS003 Gunjan Javaria 1RV16AS015 Vaibhav Mahawar 1RV16AS061 Team page 26
- 27. 27 André Borschberg piloting Solar Impulse 2
- 28. ThankYou Project Works & Co. +91 9721170745 adarshagrawal.ae16@rvce.edu.in www.rvce.edu.in
Editor's Notes
- #8: 8 July 2010, Solar Impulse 1 achieved the world's first manned 26-hour solar-powered flight Solar Impulse 2: inaugural flight took place on 2 June 2014, piloted by Markus Scherdel