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The purpose of this article is to present a summary of recent study results on a turboelectric distributed propulsion vehicle concept named N3-X.

The turboelectric distributed propulsion system uses multiple electric motor-driven propulsors that are distributed on an aircraft. The power to drive these electric propulsors is generated by separately located gas turbine-driven electric generators on the airframe. To estimate the benefits associated with this new propulsion concept, a system analysis was performed on a hybrid-wing-body transport configuration to determine fuel burn (or energy usage), community noise and emissions reductions.

N3-X would be able to reduce energy consumption by 70-72 per cent compared to a reference vehicle, a Boeing 777-200LR, flying the same mission. Predictions for landing and take-off NO_X are estimated to be 85 per cent less than the Tier 6-CAEP/6 standard. Two variants of the N3-X vehicle were examined for certification noise and found to have International Civil Aviation Organization Chapter 4 cumulative margins of 32EPNdB and 64EPNdB.

It is expected that the turboelectric distributed propulsion system may indeed provide unprecedented reductions in fuel/energy consumption, community noise and landing and take-off NO_X emissions required in future transport aircraft.

The studied propulsion concept is a step change from the conventional propulsion system and addresses growing aviation demands and concerns on the environment and energy usage.

Blended wing body (BWB) is a very advantageous design in terms of low fuel consumption, low emission and low noise levels. Because of these advantages, the BWB is a candidate to become the commercial passenger aircraft of the future by providing a paradigm shift in conventional designs. This paper aims to propose a key design parameter for wing sizing of subsonic BWB and a performance parameter for calculating the lift/drag ratio values of BWBs.

The parameter proposed in the study is based on the square/cube law, that is, the idea that the wetted area is proportional to the power of 2/3 of the weight. Data on the weight, wing area, wingspan, lift-to-drag (L/D) ratio for 19 BWB used in the analyzes were compiled from the published literature and a theoretical methodology was developed to estimate the maximum lift to drag ratio of BWBs. The accuracy of the proposed key design parameter was questioned by comparing the estimated L/Dmax values with the actual values.

In the current study, it is claimed that the wingspan/(take-off gross weight)^(1/3) parameter provides an L/D efficiency coefficient regardless of aircraft size. The proposed key design parameter is useful both for small-scale BWB, that is unmanned aerial vehicles BWB and for large-scale BWB designs. Therefore, the b/Wg^(1/3) parameter offers a dimensionless L/D efficiency coefficient for BWB designs of different scales. The wetted aspect ratio explains how low aspect ratio (AR)-BWB designs can compete with high AR-tube-and-wing designs. The key parameter is also useful for getting an idea of good or bad BWB with design and performance data published in the literature. As a result, reducing the blending area and designing a smaller central body are typical features of aerodynamically efficient BWB.

As the role of the square/cube law in the conceptual aircraft design stage has not been sufficiently studied in the literature, the application of this law to BWBs, a new generation of designs, makes the study original. Estimation of the wetted area ratio using only wingspan and gross weight data is an alternative and practical method for assessing the aerodynamic performance of the BWB. According to the model proposed in the current study, reducing the take-off gross weight of the BWBs using lighter building materials and designing with a larger wingspan (b) are the main recommendations for an aerodynamically efficient BWB.

As measuring flight performance by experimental methods requires a lot of effort and cost, theoretical models can bring new perspectives to aircraft design. This paper aims to propose a model on the direct calculation of wetted area and L/D_max.

Model is based on idea that the wetted area is proportional to aircraft gross weight to the power of 2/3 (W_g^2/3). Aerodynamic underpinning of this method is based on the square–cube law and the claim that parasitic drag is related to the S_wet/S_wing. The equation proposed by Raymer was used to find the L/D_max estimate based on the calculated wetted area. The accuracy of the theoretical approach was measured by comparing the L/D_max values found in the reference literature and the L/D_max values predicted by the theoretical approach.

Proposed theoretical L/D_max estimate matches with the actual L/D_max data in different types of aircraft. Among the conventional tube-wing design, only the sailplanes have a very low S_wet/S_wing. The S_wet/S_wing of flying wings, blended wing bodies (BWBs) and large delta wings are lower than conventional tube-wing design. Lower relative wetted area (S_wet/S_wing) is the key design criterion in high L/D_max targeted designs.

The proposed model could be used in wing sizing according to the targeted L/D_max value in aircraft design. The approach can be used to estimate the effect of varying gross weight on L/D_max. In addition, the model contributes to the L/D_max estimation of unusual designs, such as variable-sweep wing, large delta wings, flying wings and BWBs. This study is valuable in that it reveals that L/D_max value can be predicted only with aspect ratio, gross weight (W_g) and wing area (S_wing) data.

With the predicted rise in air traffic, a growing need exists to make the aviation industry more environmentally sustainable in the long-term future. Research has shown that the turbo-electric distributed propulsion system (TeDP) could be the next disruptive technology that has the potential to meet the ambitious environmental goals set for the N + 3 time frame. This however will require the use of superconductivity, application of high-temperature superconducting materials and cryogenic liquids. This paper provides a brief overview of the technology and further discusses the benefits, advantages and new opportunities that may arise from the application of the technology.

This paper provides a brief overview of the technology and further discusses the benefits, advantages and new opportunities that may arise from the application of the technology.

Implementation of superconducting technology is currently one of the greater challenges faced and hence this article also reviews some of the key considerations to enable utilisation of cryogenic fuels in the future.

This paper provides a viewpoint and reviews some of the work undertaken in the field. It also provides a perspective on some new possibilities and advantages from using TeDP with cryogenic fuels.

This article aims to investigate a selected number of liquid hydrogen storage tank parameters in a turboelectric distributed propulsion concept.

In this research study, tank structure, tank geometry, tank materials and additional physical phenomenon such as hydrogen boil-off and permeation are considered. A parametric analysis of different insulation foams is also performed throughout the design process of a lightweight liquid hydrogen storage tank.

Based on the mass of boil-off and foam weight, phenolic foam exhibited better characteristics amongst the five foam insulation materials considered in this particular study.

Liquid hydrogen occupies 4.2 times the volume of jet fuel for the same amount of energy. This suggests that a notable tank size is expected. Nonetheless, as jet fuel weighs 2.9 times more than liquid hydrogen for the same amount of energy, this reduced weight aspect partly compensates for the increased tank size.

In this article, potential insulation materials for liquid hydrogen storage tanks are highlighted and compared utilizing a presented methodology.

This paper aims to consider main challenges of development of advanced architectures of propulsion systems, i.e. distributed propulsion systems (DPS).

This paper is a comparative analysis of different types of DPS.

Mechanical driving DPS seems as more feasible in near-term outlook, and turboelectric and full electric DPS are imagined feasible in mid- and far-term outlook.

Additional comprehensive numerical and experimental researches are needed to approve the efficiency of DPS.

Possible impact of installation of DPS on aeroplane fuel efficiency are shown.

Application of DPS on long-range aeroplanes is new a engineering solution, which may allow to meet future advanced efficiency goals.

The growth in air mobility, rising fuel prices and ambitious targets in emission reduction are some of the driving factors behind research towards more efficient aircraft. The purpose of this paper is to assess the application of a blended wing body (BWB) aircraft configuration with turbo-electric distributed propulsion in the military sector and to highlight the potential benefits that could be achieved for long-range and heavy payload applications.

Mission performance has been simulated using a point-mass approach and an engine performance code (TURBOMATCH) for the propulsion system. Payload-range charts were created to compare the performance of a BWB aircraft with various different fuels against the existing Boeing 777-200LR as a baseline.

When using kerosene, an increase in payload of 42 per cent was achieved but the use of liquefied natural gas enabled a 50 per cent payload increase over a design range of 7,500 NM. When liquid hydrogen (LH2) is used, the range may be limited to about 3,000 NM by the volume available for this low-density fuel, but the payload at this range could be increased by 137 per cent to 127,000 kg.

The results presented to estimate the extent to which the efficiency of military operations could be improved by making fewer trips to transport high-density and irregular cargo items and indicate how well the proposed alternatives would compare with present military aircraft. There are no existing NATO aircraft with such extended payload and range capacities. This paper, therefore, explores the potential of BWB aircraft with turbo-electric distributed propulsion as effective military transports.

The purpose of this paper is to explore some of the challenges associated with the integration of an LH2-fuelled advanced hybrid-electric distributed propulsion system with the airframe. The airframe chosen as a case study is an ultra-high-capacity blended wing body configuration. It is designed to represent an A-380 class vehicle but in the 2025-2030 timeframe. The distributed propulsion system is a hybrid-electric concept that utilizes high-temperature superconducting technologies. The focus of the study is the application of LH2 as a fuel, with comment being given to kerosene and LCH4.

The study consists of a conceptual design developed through the preliminary design phase and part way into the detailed design phase.

The relationship between passenger capacity and fuel capacity is developed. Some remaining challenges are identified.

The study supports further conceptual design studies and more detailed system studies.

The study contributes to the development of more environmentally benign aviation technologies. The study may assist the development of solutions to the peak oil challenge.

The study explores the integration of a number of complex systems into an advanced airframe to an unusual depth of engineering detail.

The purpose of this paper is to explore the possibilities of introducing a number of visionary and pioneering ideas and upcoming enabling technologies for a conceptual and aerodynamic design of green business jet aircraft to meet various requirements within Green and N + 2 Aircraft framework, and at the same time, to meet the requirements of air transportation demand, economic growth and environmental conservation.

A synthesis of various aircraft design methodologies has been carried out through iterative optimization to arrive at the conceptually designed aircraft with novel concept with optimum performance within the subsonic flight regimes. Major ideas derived from D8 and other novel concepts are appropriately applied in the work, which starts with fuel efficient motivation, and followed by wing aerodynamics and other critical factors related to the design requirements and objectives.

Through a meticulous effort following the synthesized design methodologies in the conceptual design phase, a conceptual design of a quad-bubble business jets with a set of specifications that meet the green and N + 2 aircraft technology requirements and exhibit promising performances is proposed and assessed within recent aircraft technology development.

The research work is limited to conceptual design and analytical work which should be followed by further iterative steps incorporating experiments and detailed structural and aerodynamic computations.

The conceptual design proposed can be utilized as a baseline for further practical step in an aircraft development project.

The conceptual design proposed could be utilized for business and economic study for future air transportation system.

The work is original, incorporating review of state-of-the-art technology, environmental requirements and a synthesis of a novel product.

The performance benefits of boundary layer ingestion (BLI) in the case of air vehicles powered by distributed propulsors have been documented and explored extensively by numerous studies. Therefore, it is well known that increased inlet flow distortion due to BLI can dramatically reduce these benefits. In this context, a methodology that enables the assessment of different propulsion architectures, whilst accounting for these aerodynamic integration issues, is studied in this paper.

To calculate the effects of BLI-induced distortion, parametric and parallel compressor approaches have been implemented into the propulsion system analysis. The propulsion architectures study introduces the concept of thrust split between propulsors and main engines and also examines an alternative propulsor configuration. In the system analysis, optimum configurations are defined using thrust-specific fuel consumption as figure of merit.

For determined operating conditions, the system analysis found an optimum configuration for 65 per cent of thrust delivered by the propulsor array, which was attributed mainly to the influence of the propulsor’s intake losses. An alternative propulsor design, which used the ejector pump effect to re-energize the boundary layer, and avoiding the detrimental effects of BLI are also cited in this work.

To summarize, this paper contributes with a general review of the research that has been undertaken to tackle the aforementioned aerodynamic integration issues and, in this way, make viable the implementation of distributed propulsion systems with BLI.