Honeywell recently announced that it is developing a powertrain for hybrid aircraft, with demonstrations scheduled for the second half of this year.
The Honeywell 1 megawatt generator weighs about 280 pounds (about 127 kg), which is about the weight of a scooter, but it provides enough electricity to power an entire block. The generator will be combined with the Honeywell HGT1700 auxiliary power unit currently found on every Airbus A350 XWB aircraft to create a new turbogenerator that is 2.5 times more powerful than the company's 2019 version.
Honeywell's new turbogenerator will be able to run on aviation biofuel, conventional aviation fuel and diesel. Among them, aviation biofuels include Honeywell Green Aviation Fuel, which is chemically similar to fossil fuels but made with more sustainable alternatives. Honeywell's turbogenerators can be used to drive high-power electric motors or charge batteries, as well as for heavy-duty cargo drones, air taxis or commuter aircraft. The turbine generator system will be demonstrated for the first time in the third quarter of 2021, followed by continued development and forensics.
Stéphane Fymat, vice president and general manager of Honeywell Aerospace Group's Unmanned Aerial Systems and Urban Air Mobility business, said, "With the formation of the urban air mobility sector and the introduction of unmanned aerial vehicles, there is an inherent demand for pure electric and hybrid systems. Our turbine generators offer the advantages of safe performance and light weight for use in these emerging fields. And we are also designing solutions to meet the unique needs of our customers developing future aircraft. ”
Conventional aircraft mechanically drive rotors, propellers, or fans through fuel engines. But many new designs incorporate distributed electric propulsion architectures that enable vertical takeoff and horizontal flight by tilting or turning off multiple electric motors. Honeywell's turbogenerators can power multiple electric motors at any location on the aircraft.
"Honeywell has proven manufacturing experience in manufacturing auxiliary power units and large gas turbine engines," said Taylor Alberstadt, senior director of powertrain business development at Honeywell Aerospace Group. As a result, we have the ability to create powertrains for the aircraft of the future. We believe that the aviation industry will see many new propulsion and powertrain systems in the future, and Honeywell is poised to lead the way in the development of new systems. ”
In December last year, Honeywell signed a memorandum of understanding with British start-up Faradair Aerospace to collaborate on the development of an airborne system and a set of turbine generator sets. The crew will use renewable aviation fuel to power Faradair's hybrid aircraft (BEHA). Faradair plans to deliver 300 hybrid BEHA aircraft by 2030, of which 150 will be configured for firefighting needs. Honeywell is in in-depth discussions with several other potential turbine generator customers to determine power needs based on different manufacturers' mission packages.
At the 2019 International Helicopter Expo in Atlanta, Honeywell unveiled its first turbogenerator for urban air mobility (UAM). It combines Honeywell's HTS900 turboshaft engine with two 200 kW generators. Since then, Honeywell has continued to improve its position in the UAM space, especially in pure electric and hybrid propulsion systems.
Honeywell is a major player in the emerging UAM space, focusing on providing a full suite of avionics, propulsion systems, and operating systems for human-piloted, autonomous VTOL UAM and cargo aircraft. Honeywell also provides specialized aviation systems integration and forensics services to facilitate the commercialization of these aircraft.
Honeywell has opened up the renewable aviation fuel market with its UOP's Ecofining process. Honeywell Green Aviation Fuel produced by this process can be blended with petroleum-based aviation fuel and is already in commercial production. Honeywell Green Aviation Fuel, when blended with petroleum-based aviation fuel in a 1:1 ratio, meets all critical requirements of flight without any aircraft technology changes.
