Aircraft conceptual design including powertrain system architecture and distributed propulsion

Abstract

The paper presents a thorough conceptual design approach for a generic aircraft with conventional, hybrid-electric, or full-electric powertrain. It follows the steps of classic aircraft design methods, including the main aspects related to the hybridization of an aircraft: powertrain architectures, energy sources, aerodynamic-propulsive interactions, stability and control effects. Such aircraft is designed considering design and regulations requirements. Three are the main steps of the conceptual design approach presented: preliminary design, sizing, and analysis. The first step provides a statistical baseline, including both geometry and weight breakdown, moving from top-level requirements. The sizing activity provides the energetic requirements and the mass breakdown, by combining the free choice of the designer with aviation regulations and requirements. The subsequent analysis aims to choose the baseline for high-fidelity optimization. The first application of the presented workflow deals with regional turboprop aircraft and it is based on the ATR-42 design mission. However, in the present work, a further investigation of the possible concepts, based on different design missions, highlights that the competitiveness of hybrid-electric aircrafts cannot be based on the same mission profiles on which nowadays aircrafts have been designed.