Challenge

Project-1: Powertrain for aircraft in runways

Part A:

Problem 01:

Aim:

To search and list out the total weight of various types of aircraft.

Types of aircraft:

There are a number of ways to identify aircraft by type. The primary distinction is between those that are lighter than air and those that are heavier than air.

Lighter than air:

Aircraft such as balloons nonrigid airships and dirigibles are designed to contain within their structure a sufficient volume that, when filled with a gas lighter than air (heated air, hydrogen, or helium), displaces the surrounding ambient air and floats, just as a cork does on the water. Balloons are not steerable and drift with the wind. Nonrigid airships, which have enjoyed a rebirth of use and interest, do not have a rigid structure but have a defined aerodynamic shape, which contains cells filled with the lifting agent. They have a source of propulsion and can be controlled in all three axes of flight.

Heavier than air:

This type of aircraft must have a power source to provide the thrust necessary to obtain lift. Simple heavier-than-air craft includes kites. These are usually a flat-surfaced structures, often with a stabilizing “tail,” attached by a bridle to a string that is held in place on the ground. Lift is provided by the reaction of the string-restrained surface to the wind. Another type of unmanned aircraft is the unnamed Aerial Vehicle (UAV), commonly called drones or sometimes remotely piloted vehicles (RPVs). These aircraft are radio-controlled from the air or the ground and are used for scientific and military purposes.

Manufacturer's empty weight (MEW)
Also called Manufacturer's Weight Empty (MWE) or Licensed Empty Weight

It is the weight of the aircraft "as built" and includes the weight of the structure, power plant, furnishings, installations, systems and other equipment that are considered an integral part of an aircraft.

This excludes any baggage, passengers, or usable fuel2.

Zero-fuel weight (ZFW)

This is the total weight of the airplane and all its contents (including unusable fuel), but excluding the total weight of the usable fuel on board.

As a flight progresses and fuel is consumed, the total weight of the airplane reduces, but the ZFW remains constant.

Maximum zero fuel weight (MZFW) is the maximum weight allowed before usable fuel and other specified usable agents (engine injection fluid, and other consumable propulsion agents) are loaded.

Operating empty weight (OEW) (Roughly equivalent to basic empty weight on light aircraft)

It is the basic weight of an aircraft including the crew, all fluids necessary for operation such as engine oil, engine coolant, water, unusable fuel and all operator items and equipment required for flight but excluding usable fuel and the payload.

Payload

It is the carrying capacity of an aircraft. It includes cargo, people, extra fuel. In the case of a commercial airliner, it may refer only to revenue-generating cargo or paying passengers.

Maximum takeoff weight (MTOW)

This is the maximum weight at which the pilot of the aircraft is allowed to attempt to take off3.

Regulated takeoff weight (RTOW)

Depending on different factors (e.g. flap setting, altitude, air temperature, length of runway), RTOW or maximum permissible takeoff weight varies for each takeoff. It can never be higher than MTOW.

Maximum landing weight (MLW)

This maximum weight at which an aircraft is permitted to land. The following image depicts takeoff weight components.

Maximum ramp weight (MRW)
It is also called maximum taxi weight (MTW). It is the maximum weight authorized for maneuvering (taxiing or towing) an aircraft on the ground.

Aircraft gross weight

It is the total aircraft weight at any moment during the flight or ground operation. This decreases during the flight due to fuel and oil consumption.

Various Aircraft Weights:

MTOW = Maximum take-off weight, MLW = Maximum landing weight, TOR = Take-off run

Type MTOW [kg] MLW [tonnes] TOR [m] LR [m] ICAO category FAA category
Antonov An-225 640,000 591.7 3500 Heavy Super
Scaled Composites Model 351 Stratolaunch 589,670 3660 Heavy Super
Airbus A380-800 575,000 394 3100 1930 Heavy Super
Boeing 747-8F 447,700 346.091 3100 1800 Heavy Heavy
Boeing 747-8 443,613 306.175 3100 Heavy Heavy
Boeing 747-400ER 412,770 295.742 3090 Heavy Heavy
Antonov An-124 405,060 330 2520 900 Heavy Heavy
Boeing 747-400 396,900 295.742 3018 2179 Heavy Heavy
Lockheed C-5 Galaxy 381,000 288.417 2530 1494 Heavy Heavy
Boeing 747-200 377,840 285.700 3338 2109 Heavy Heavy
Boeing 747-300 377,840 260.320 3222 1905 Heavy Heavy
Airbus A340-500 371,950 240 3050 2010 Heavy Heavy
Airbus A340-600 367,400 256 3100 2100 Heavy Heavy
Boeing 777F 347,800 260.816 2830 Heavy Heavy
Boeing 777-300ER 351,800 251.29 3100 Heavy Heavy
Boeing 777-200LR 347,450 223.168 3000 Heavy Heavy
Boeing 747-100 340,200 265.300 Heavy Heavy
Airbus A350-1000 308,000 233.5 Heavy Heavy
Boeing 777-300 299,370 237.683 3380 Heavy Heavy
Boeing 777-200ER 297,550 213.00 3380 1550 Heavy Heavy
Airbus A340-300 276,700 190 3000 1926 Heavy Heavy
McDonnell Douglas MD-11 273,300 185 2990 1890 Heavy Heavy
Airbus A350-900 270,000 175 2670 1860 Heavy Heavy
Ilyushin Il-96M 270,000 195.04 3115 2118 Heavy Heavy
McDonnell Douglas DC-10 256,280 183 2990 1890 Heavy Heavy
Boeing 787-9 254,000 192.777 2900 Heavy Heavy
Boeing 787-10 254,000 201.849 Heavy Heavy
Airbus A340-200 253,500 181 2990 Heavy Heavy
Airbus A330-900 251,000 191 3100 Heavy Heavy
Ilyushin IL-96-300 250,000 175 2600 1980 Heavy Heavy
Airbus A330-300 242,000 185 2500 1750 Heavy Heavy
Airbus A330-200 242,000 180 2220 1750 Heavy Heavy
Lockheed L-1011-500 231,300 166.92 2636 Heavy Heavy
Boeing 787-8[10] 228,000 172.365 3300 1695 Heavy Heavy
Lockheed L-1011-200 211,400 Heavy Heavy
Ilyushin IL-86 208,000 175 Heavy Heavy
Boeing 767-400ER 204,000 158.758 3414 Heavy Heavy
Airbus A300-600R 192,000 140 2385 1555 Heavy Heavy
Boeing 767-300ER 187,000 136.08 2713 1676 Heavy Heavy
Concorde 185,000 111.1 3440 2220 Heavy Heavy
Airbus A300-600 163,000 138 2324 1536 Heavy Heavy
Boeing 767-300 159,000 136.078 2713 1676 Heavy Heavy
Airbus A310-300 157,000 124 2290 1490 Heavy Heavy
Vickers VC10 152,000 151.9 Heavy Heavy
Boeing 707-320B 151,000 97.5 Heavy Heavy
Boeing 707-320C 151,000 112.1 Heavy Heavy
Douglas DC-8-61 147,000 Heavy Heavy
Airbus A310-200 142,000 123 1860 1480 Heavy Heavy
Airbus A400M 141,000 122 980 770 Heavy Heavy
Douglas DC-8-32 140,000 Heavy Heavy
Douglas DC-8-51 125,000 Medium Large
Boeing 757-300 124,000 101.6 2550 1750 Medium Large
Boeing 707-120B 117,000 86.3 Medium Large
Boeing 757-200 116,000 89.9 2347 1555 Medium Large
Boeing 720B 106,000 79.5 Medium Large
Boeing 720 104,000 79.5 Medium Large
Tupolev Tu-154 104,000 80 Medium Large
Tupolev Tu-204 104,000 87.5 2250 Medium Large
Convair 880 87,500 Medium Large
Boeing 737-900 85,000 66.36 2500 1704 Medium Large
Boeing 737-900ER 85,000 71.35 2804 1829 Medium Large
Boeing 727-200 Advanced 84,000 70.1 Medium Large
Airbus A321 83,000 77.8 2200 1540 Medium Large
Boeing 737-800 79,000 65.32 2308 1634 Medium Large
Boeing 727-200 78,000 68.1 Medium Large
McDonnell-Douglas MD-83 73,000 63.28 Medium Large
Boeing 727-100 72,500 62.4 Medium Large
Boeing 727-100C 72,500 62.4 Medium Large
McDonnell-Douglas MD-90 71,000 64.41 2165 1520 Medium Large
de Havilland Comet 4 70,700 Medium Large
Boeing 737-700 70,000 58.06 1921 1415 Medium Large
Airbus A320 68,000 66 1955 1490 Medium Large
Boeing 737-400 68,000 54.9 2540 1540 Medium Large
de Havilland Comet 3 68,000 Medium Large
Boeing 377 67,000 Medium Large
Boeing 737-600 66,000 54.66 1796 1340 Medium Large
Airbus A220-300 65,000 57.61 1890 1494 Medium Large
Hawker Siddeley Trident 2E 65,000 Medium Large
Airbus A319 64,000 62.5 1850 1470 Medium Large
Boeing 737-300 63,000 51.7 1939 1396 Medium Large
Boeing 737-500 60,000 49.9 1832 1360 Medium Large
Airbus A220-100 59,000 50.80 1463 1356 Medium Large
Airbus A318 59,000 57.5 1375 1340 Medium Large
Boeing 717-200HGW 55,000 47.174 1950 Medium Large
Douglas DC-7 55,000 Medium Large
de Havilland Comet 2 54,000 Medium Large
Boeing 717-200BGW 50,000 46.265 1950 Medium Large
de Havilland Comet 1 50,000 Medium Large
Douglas DC-6A 48,600 Medium Large
Douglas DC-6B 48,500 Medium Large
Embraer 190 48,000 43 2056 1323 Medium Large
Caravelle III 46,000 Medium Large
Fokker 100 46,000 39.95 1621 1350 Medium Large
Douglas DC-6 44,000 Medium Large
Avro RJ-85 42,000 36.74 Medium Large
Handley Page Hermes 39,000 Medium Large
Embraer 175 37,500 32.8 2244 1304 Medium Large
Bombardier CRJ900 36,500 33.345 1778 1596 Medium Large
Embraer 170[22] 36,000 32.8 1644 1274 Medium Large
Bombardier CRJ700 33,000 30.39 1564 1478 Medium Large
Douglas DC-4 33,000 Medium Large
Vickers Viscount 800 30,400 Medium Large
Bombardier Q400 28,000 28.01 1219 1295 Medium Large
Bombardier CRJ200 23,000 21.319 1918 1479 Medium Large
ATR 72-600 22,800 22.35 1333 914 Medium Large
Saab 2000 22,800 21.5 1300 Medium Large
Embraer ERJ 145 22,000 19.3 2270 1380 Medium Large
ATR 42-500 18,600 18.3 1165 1126 Medium Small
Saab 340 13,150 12.930 1300 1030 Medium Small
Embraer 120 Brasilia 11,500 11.25 1560 1380 Medium Small
BAe Jetstream 41 10,890 10.570 1493 826 Medium Small
Learjet 75 9,752 8.709 1353 811 Medium Small
Pilatus PC-24 8,300 7.665 893 724 Medium Small
Embraer Phenom 300 8,150 7.65 956 677 Medium Small
Beechcraft 1900D 7,765 7.605 1036 853 Medium Small
Cessna Citation CJ4 7,761 7.103 1039 896 Medium Small
de Havilland Hercules 7,000 Medium Small
Embraer Phenom 100 4,800 4.43 975 741 Light Small

Problem 02:

Aim:

Airspeed is the vector difference between the ground speed and the wind speed. On a perfectly still day, the airspeed is equal to the ground speed. But if the wind is blowing in the same direction that the aircraft is moving, the airspeed will be less than the ground speed.

Air speed vs Ground Speed:

  • True airspeed is simply the speed at which an aircraft is moving relative to the air it is flying in. As such, it’s also the speed at which the air is flowing around the aircraft’s wings.
  • Ground speed, on the other hand, is the aircraft’s speed relative to the ground. One thing that should be noted here is that it’s it's horizontal rather than vertical speed – an aircraft climbing completely vertically would have a ground speed of zero.
  • In other words, while airspeed is what determines whether there is enough airflow around an aircraft to make it fly, ground speed is what determines how fast an aircraft will get to its destination.

Wind's Effect on Ground Speed:

The relationship between airspeed and ground speed is fairly simple. Ground speed is simply the sum of airspeed and wind speed. If the aircraft is flying in the same direction as the wind is blowing, the aircraft experiences tailwind, and its ground speed is higher than its airspeed. On the other hand, if the wind is blowing against the direction the aircraft is traveling in, the aircraft experiences a headwind, and its ground speed is lower than its airspeed.

Problem 03:

Aim:

Explain why is it not recommended to use aircraft engine power to move it on the ground at Airport.

Engine Thrust Hazards in the Airport Environment

Boeing commercial airplanes are equipped with engines rated from 18,000 to nearly 100,000 lb of thrust. Such thrust levels provide for safe takeoff, flight, and landing over a wide range of temperatures, altitudes, gross weights, and payload conditions. However, the exhaust wake from these engines can pose hazards in commercial airport environments. Operators and airport authorities must carefully consider these hazards and the resulting potential for injury to people and damage to or caused by baggage carts, service vehicles, airport infrastructure, and other airplanes.

Power hazards area:

When modern jet engines are operated at rated thrust levels, the exhaust wake can exceed 375 mi/h (325 kn or 603 km/h) immediately aft of the engine exhaust nozzle. This exhaust flow field extends aft in a rapidly expanding cone, with portions of the flow field contacting and extending aft along the pavement surface (fig. 1). Exhaust velocity components are attenuated with increasing distance from the engine exhaust nozzle. However, an airflow of 300 mi/h (260 kn or 483 km/h) can still be present at the empennage, and significant people and equipment hazards will persist hundreds of feet beyond this area. At full power, the exhaust wake speed can typically be 150 mi/h (130 kn or 240 km/h) at 200 ft (61 m) beyond the airplane and 50 to 100 mi/h (43 to 88 kn or 80 to 161 km/h) well beyond this point.

Maintainance:

High engine thrust during maintenance activity can cause considerable damage to airplanes and other elements in the airport environment. An example of this problem occurred after an airplane arrived at its final destination with a log entry indicating the flight crew had experienced anomalous engine operation.

Problem 04:

Aim:

Explain - How an aircraft is pushed to runway when its ready to take off

Aircraft is pushed to runway:

Airplanes have engines, and they can use them to move forward along the ground. So they push themselves to the runway. It is true that most of the time, a small vehicle is needed to push the larger commercial airplanes backwards away from the terminal building, because even if a plane can reverse it’s thrust, it’s not always safe to hit the buildings with that reverse thrust. So the little trucks push the bigger planes back away from the buildings, but after that, the planes can apply a small amount of engine power to roll forward just as all airplanes can.Aircraft push themselves to the runway.

Steps for the aircraft to takeoff:

  1. The pilot parks the aircraft in exactly the right place. Usually with the help of an automatic system, but occasionally guided by a marshaller waving two paddles or wands. Dozens of handling personnel are already standing by to perform a whole range of tasks simultaneously.
  2. As soon as the aircraft is stationary and the engines are switched off, the first priority is to disembark the passengers as quickly as possible. The apron handler places chocks in front of the wheels and connects the ground power. Meanwhile, the passenger bridge manoeuvres up to the door and a belt loader rolls up to the cargo hold. Luggage is unloaded and transferred to the terminal on baggage carts.
  3. Refuelling begins, usually from a hydrant at the stand. A hose is attached to this from a special vehicle called a dispenser, with the other side connected to the fuel tank in the wing.
  4. Now it is time to service the aircraft. The caterer loads new meals and takes away the food waste and used cutlery and crockery. Other activities include draining the lavatories, replacing the headrest covers, removing rubbish and distributing fresh blankets and in-flight magazine.
  5. A specialist team – or sometimes the crew themselves – cleans the cabin so that the new passengers board a pristine aircraft.
  6. Meanwhile, specialists from the airline conduct a technical check to make sure that the engines, wings, control surfaces, landing gear, instruments, doors and other equipment are in full working order.
  7. The aircraft is now ready for baggage to be loaded for the next flight. This is a quick process, on average taking only 10-15 minutes. A little later the passengers start boarding. As soon as they are all in their seats, the door is closed and the pilot informs air-traffic control that the flight is ready for departure.
  8. The apron handler removes the chocks. A so-called pushback truck reverses the aircraft into taxiing position, pushing it with a towbar attached to the nose-wheel strut. Or, in the most modern versions, by actually lifting the wheel. That speeds up coupling and decoupling.
  9. The aircraft taxis to the runway to depart at the agreed time.
  10. The pilot waits for permission to take off from air-traffic control. This is possible once the departure route is clear. As soon as the go-ahead is received, the plane takes to the air at full power.

Problem 05:

Aim:

To learn about take off power, tyre design, rolling resistance, tyre pressure, brake forces when landing.

Aircraft Take Off Power:

The amount of power that an engine is allowed to produce for a limited period of time for takeoff. The use of takeoff power is usually limited to 5 min for reciprocating engines and up to 2½ min for gas turbine engines. This may not always be the case. Specifically, with respect to reciprocating engines, it is the brake horsepower developed under standard, sea-level conditions and under the maximum conditions of the crankshaft rotational speed and the engine manifold pressure approved for the normal take-off. It is limited in continuous use to the period of time shown in the approved engine specifications. With respect to gas turbine engines, it is the thrust developed under static conditions at a specified altitude and atmospheric conditions of the rotor shaft rotational speed and gas temperature approved for the normal takeoff. It is limited in continuous use to the period of time shown in the approved engine specifications.

In the physics realm PowerPower = Mass x Acceleration x distance/time

To many it means "how much throttle" , which is how much fuel/time.

"Throttle" x prop efficiency = ThrustThrust

This gives you a unit of Force that can be directly compared to glide data as follows:

Potential energy Mass x Gravity x altitude loss = ThrustThrust x horizontal distance flown

This rearranged to ThrustThrust = Mass x Gravity x altitude loss/horizontal distance flown

ThrustThrust = force required for straight and level flight, expressed in "pounds or Newtons"

So if your plane weighs 10 lb and glides 5:1, you need 2 lb of thrust for straight and level flight.

One would at least double, or even triple this for "takeoff power", depending on your performance preferences. Sufficient "takeoff power" will give a safe climb rate to avoid difficulties with downdrafts.

For example: my plane glides 5:1 at 60 mph or around 5000 feet/minute and loses 1000 feet/minute. At 10 lbs it was calculated to need 2 lbs of thrust for straight and level flight.

How much more thrust do we need to climb 500 feet per/minute. Again, the glide data provides a very good estimate, 2 lbs x 500 fpm/1000 fpm = 1 lb additional or 3 lbs total at 60 mph. Higher speeds with more drag, or lower speeds "behind the power curve" will require more than 3 lbs of thrust.

Most takeoffs use "derated" thrust to save engine wear. For each takeoff, performance is calculated, the necessary power setting is determined and the thrust setting is made. Usually this is below the maximum available level and is known as a derated thrust takeoff.

Part B

Problem 06:

A)

Aim:

To calculate the force and power required to push / pull an aircraft by a towing vehicle.

Given:

Let us Assume:

Weight of the Aircraft (Boeing 747-8) = 447,700kg

Rolling Resistance Coefficient of an aircraft tire = 0.004

Wight of the Tugs Tractor Rolling Resistance = 50000kg

Coefficient of Towing Vehicle Then, = 0.0035

Rolling Resistance Force of Tugs Tractor =FRR = CRRx weight = 0035*50,000*9.81 =1,716.75 N

Rolling Resistance Force of aircraft =FRR = CRR X weight =004*50,000*9.81 =17,567.748 N

Total Rolling Resistance Force = Rolling Resistance Force of aircraft + Tugs Tractor = 17.567+ 1.71675 Total Rolling Resistance Force = 19.28 KN

The Aerodynamic Drag is given by,

rho Density of Air Medium

A = Frontal Area Of the Vehicle which strike the Air

V = Velocity with the vehicle moves

cd= Coefficient of Dragwhich varies diferent shapes of the frontala

Calculation:

Let us assume

The Velocity of the Aircraft while Towing = 25 KMPH =6.944 m/s

Density of Air medium = 125 kg/m3

The Frontal area of the Aircraft = 20 m2

The Coefficient of Drag of the Aircraft = 0.025

The Coefficient of Drag of the Tugs tractor = 1.15

Air drag force = 0.5*rho*A*V^2*Cd

The Air Drag Force of the Aircraft = 0.5*1.25*20*(6.944^2)*0.25 =15.07 N

The Air Drag Force of the Tugs Tractor =0.5*1.25*1.8*(6.944^2)*1.15 = 62.38 N

Total Aerodynamic Drag Force = Air Drag Force of the Aircraft + Air Drag Force of the Tugs Tractor =15.07 N +62.38 N

Total Aerodynamic Drag Force 77.45N

Therefore the total force that the motor needs to overcome = Total Rolling Resistance Force + Total Aerodynamic Drag Force =19.28 + 0.07745 (KN) =19.362 KN

Thus Total Force that the Motor needs to overcome in order to push/pull the Aircraft = 19.362 KN

The Power Required:

The power required by the motor is given by the velocity with which the towing operation takes place.

The averago spood of push/pull = 25 kmph = 6.9444 m/s

Power roquired by the motor = Total Force*Velocity = 19.362*6.9444

Power Required by The Motor = 134 Kw

B)

Aim:

To develop the model for the calculated force and power using Simulink.

Simulink model:

The simulink model used to calculate the force and power.

Problem 07:

A)

Aim:

To design an electric powertrain with type of motor, it’s power rating, and energy requirement to fulfill aircraft towing application in Simulink.

Duty Cycle:

Simulink Model:

Output:

Step output

Other parameters output

B)

Aim:

To design the parameters in excel sheet.

Parameters:

Excel File is attached below.

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