Aerospace technology research projects

Project description

One challenge during the introduction of air-bound urban mobility concepts is the aerodynamic and structural-mechanical design of the rotor-shell system for electric motors. These have a different performance behaviour compared to combustion engines. In order to achieve the greatest possible efficiency, the drive system must be adapted to this circumstance. As there is still little experience and hardly any design guidelines for the design of such systems, this research project will provide the relevant industry with added value.

Project objective

In order to reduce the high development costs for ducted fans, a design methodology is to be developed for the preliminary design of electrically operated, ducted rotor systems. This methodology takes into account aerodynamic, structural-mechanical and aeroacoustic aspects as well as their coupling with each other.

Environmental Consultancy Support on technical issues associated with aircraft noise

Project description

Air taxis and their operation in urban areas are the focus of current research. Technical and operational differences compared to conventional aircraft justify a review of the applicable certification guidelines. For acoustic emissions in particular, an appropriate assessment scheme must be defined that quantifies the disruptive influence of noise emissions from air taxis on the population. To this end, the applicability of existing assessment schemes for air taxis will be evaluated by means of psychoacoustic tests and their statistical analyses.

Project objective

In order to define an appropriate and suitable certification regarding the acoustic emission of air taxis, existing acoustic assessment schemes for air taxis are to be evaluated. For this purpose, results from psychoacoustic tests with test persons are to be taken into account.

Project description

Electric drives in aircraft can make a significant contribution to the successful realisation of "Flight-path 2050". Hybrid technologies and the use of range extenders can be used to increase the range, which is currently far from sufficient. Furthermore, a recuperative drive can be used to recover energy during descent (up to 10% according to estimates). This potential depends on the flight mission on the one hand, but also on the efficiency of the propeller's recuperation on the other.

Propulsion propellers are not designed for recuperation. Electric propulsion systems have been little investigated in flight to date.

The overall aim of the project is to obtain reliable data for the use of electric drives in aircraft, so that an energy and noise emission-optimised propeller and drive design is possible. This will enable larger aircraft to be equipped more efficiently with electric drives.

These will be tested in propulsion and recuperation mode both in the low-noise wind tunnel at RWTH and with a "flying electric aircraft engine test rig" in flight experiments (up to 6000m altitude) and then optimised. Various propellers will be developed, measured to quantify the efficiency in propulsion and recuperation mode and their psychoacoustic effect, and development tips for propellers will be provided.

Project goals

• Investigation of various flight missions with regard to the potential for energy savings.
• Aerodynamic design of the propellers
• Design of the propeller controller of the controllable pitch propeller
• Preparation of the tests both on the test bench and in the flight test
• Proofs and certificates of the test equipment for the flight test
• Integration of the test equipment in the aircraft and for the test bench tests
• Comprehensive risk management
• Carrying out the scientific laboratory and flight tests
• Scientific evaluation of the tests and development of design and system recommendations for the use of electric drive and recuperation concepts from an energy and risk-related perspective
• Presentation and publication of scientific findings in publications and at international congresses

Project description

A portable ultralight aircraft in the 120kg class with a modular electric drive system is being brought to market maturity. Transport and storage are greatly simplified by a plug-in wing and a detachable drive system. Due to the low weight of less than 120kg, very favourable certification and outlanding guidelines apply. In addition, the pilot's licence is cheaper, easier to obtain and remains valid permanently. No medical examination and no radio licence are required. Hangar hire, attachment and fuel costs for operating the aircraft are eliminated. The production costs of an aeroplane are a fraction of the cost of a glider.

The aircraft is designed to utilise all existing and future infrastructure for aircraft and paragliders. The use of

• glider winches
• paraglider winches
• small airfields or
• simple take-off from a mountain or a meadow will be

will be possible. Thanks to its gliding characteristics, the planned aircraft can already land almost anywhere. The specially designed wing shape, the extremely lightweight construction and the lift aids enable the aircraft to fly extremely slowly for take-off and landing, which greatly shortens the distance required and makes the take-off and landing process easier. Safety is also increased by the slow landing speed and an overall rescue system. The high aspect ratio of the wing makes it possible to switch off the propulsion system in the air and fly like a glider using only the thermal energy of the sun.

Exowing offers the customer the opportunity to use any aeronautical infrastructure for the price of a small car and to be able to land on almost any meadow in compliance with the law.

Project goal

The aim of Team EXOWING is to make "airmobility" extremely easy for private individuals with a portable, economical and affordable aircraft.

Further information can be found at

Website: www.exowing.de
Proof of concept video (YT): www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVGdE6ocvqc
Instagram: www.instagram.com/exowing_aviation/

Vor dem Hintergrund der Eindämmung des Klimawandels besteht ein wachsendes Interesse an klimaneutraler und nachhaltiger Luftfahrt. Eine Energiewende in der Luftfahrt soll durch die Entwicklung alternativer, zukunftweisender Antriebskonzepte (elektrisch, hybridisiert, wasserstoffbasiert) sowie klimaverträglicher Flugkraftstoffe SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuels), PTL (Power to Liquid based fuels) erreicht werden.

Derzeit stehen der FH Aachen am Forschungsflugplatz Würselen-Aachen keine eigenen Flächen zur Verfügung. Flugzeuge werden in einem begrenzten Hallenbereich untergestellt, Forschungsaufgaben müssen ausgelagert werden.

Aus diesem Grund und zur weiteren Steigerung der Forschungsaktivitäten, Ausbildung und akademischen Bildung, Personalentwicklung und -einstellung ist der Bau und Betrieb des Lehr- und Forschungszentrums FH.AERO.SCIENCE geplant.

Auf einer Fläche von insgesamt ca. 2.000 m² sollen Lehr-, Hangar-, Labor- und Büroflächen in unmittelbarer Nachbarschaft zum Forschungsflugplatz Würselen-Aachen mit direkter Anbindung an die Start- und Landebahn und damit zum Flugbetrieb geschaffen werden.

Eine Flugzeughalle mit Platz für die Laborflugzeuge soll der FH Aachen die Möglichkeit bieten, Forschungsarbeiten mit neuesten Technologien am Luftfahrzeug durchzuführen und direkt am Forschungsflugplatz Würselen-Aachen zu erproben.

Project description

The central challenge for the economic future of eVTOL aircraft is to transfer the scaled and quantifiable processes for large-volume series production, such as in the automotive industry, to the UAM segment with its lightweight FRP construction, without compromising the high safety standards in aviation. This is precisely where the cooperation project pro.EVOLUTION comes in. In a holistic approach, an innovative high-performance propeller for eVTOL applications is to be developed on the basis of new materials, new digital software tools and new manufacturing processes.

Project objective

In order to transfer FRP propeller production to high-volume series production, a new holistic process is to be developed using an existing eVTOL propeller as an example. This includes the development of customised FRP semi-finished products, new textile semi-finished products and propeller production processes, as well as the digitalisation of empirical FRP component production.

Project description

An interdisciplinary team is researching the possibilities of tomorrow's mobility. The most important aspects of an urban air mobility concept for the pilot area NRW/Rhine-Mass are analysed. The holistic project approach encompasses far more than the pure design of an air taxi, but also considers aspects such as business models, infrastructure, user acceptance, commuter flows, personas, intermodal mobility, digitalisation and much more. The project looks far beyond the traditional engineer's horizons.

Project goal

The aim of the project is to derive and assess an intermodal mobility concept for the pilot region NRW/Rhine-Meuse, taking into account technological, economic and operational boundary conditions, and to develop a suitable air taxi up to the technology maturity level of the preliminary design.

Further information on the project

To the LinkedIn presence of SkyCab

To information on the predecessor project SkyCab I

Faculty 2 - Civil Engineering

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Christoph Hebel
Room 01210
Bayernallee 9
52066 FH Aachen
hebelfh-aachen.de
T: +49.241.6009 51123

Faculty 5 - Electrical Engineering and Information Technology

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Thomas Ritz
Building H
Room H 213
Eupener Str. 70
52066 Aachen
ritzfh-aachen.de
T: +49.241.6009 52136

Faculty 6 - Aerospace Engineering

Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Hans Kemper
Building AMA
Room AMA 305
Aachener-und Münchener Allee 6
52064 Aachen
h.kemperfh-aachen.de
T: +49.241.6009 52485

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Thilo Röth
Building Boxgraben 98-100
Room O0205
Boxgraben 100
52064 FH Aachen
roethfh-aachen.de
T: +49.241.6009 52940

FB 2 - Civil Engineering

Elisabeth Köppen
FH Aachen
Bayernallee 9
52066 Aachen
koeppenfh-aachen.de

Torsten Merkens
Room 01215
FH Aachen
Bayernallee 9
52066 Aachen
[email protected]
T: +49.241.6009 51170

FB 5 - Electrical Engineering and Information Technology

David Erberich, B.Sc.
Building H
Room H 212
Eupener Str. 70
52066 FH Aachen
[email protected]
T: + 49.241 6009 52251

Till Franzke, M.Eng.
Building H
Room H 211
Eupener Str. 70
52066 FH Aachen
franzkefh-aachen.de
T: +49.241.6009 52195

Philipp Tambornino
Building H
Eupener Str. 70
52066 Aachen
tamborninofh-aachen.de

FB 6 - Aerospace Engineering

Lukas Gerber
Building HOH
Hohenstaufenallee 6
52064 FH Aachen
[email protected]
T: +49.241.6009 52395

Lukas Laarmann
Building Boxgraben 98-100
Room O0203
Boxgraben 98
52064 FH Aachen
laarmannfh-aachen.de
T: +49.241.6009 52933

Andreas Thoma, M.Sc.
Building AMA
Room O3317
Aachener-und-Münchener Allee 1
52074 FH Aachen
a.thomafh-aachen.de
T: +49.241.6009 52609

Low-nitrogen oxide combustion of hydrogen in gas turbines

Project description

Hydrogen, produced by electrolysis, can be used to store surplus renewable energy. Conversion back into electrical energy in gas turbines is CO2-free and therefore climate-friendly. Only nitrogen oxides (NOx) are produced as climate-impacting emissions. Established combustion chamber technologies are often not suitable for the combustion of pure hydrogen due to the high reactivity of hydrogen. The high flame speed of the hydrogen, which can lead to flashbacks and damage to the gas turbine, as well as a sharp rise in NOx emissions are critical here. These problems can only be avoided with established technologies by using a low H2 content in the fuel gas or by diluting it with nitrogen or water vapour to reduce efficiency.

Project objective

The Micromix (MMX) combustion process was developed as part of many years of research activities at FH Aachen. With the help of this process, it is possible to significantly reduce the resulting nitrogen oxide emissions and to burn hydrogen with high operational reliability. This is made possible by the use of many miniaturised flames and optimised mixing of fuel gas and air in the combustion chamber of the gas turbine. This significantly reduces the residence time of the molecules in the hot flame areas and thus minimises the formation of nitrogen oxides.

For the application-oriented research typical at FH Aachen, the entire gas turbine and combustion chamber system is considered in an interdisciplinary manner, Fig. 1. A particular focus of current MMX research is the direct interaction between experimental investigations on the atmospheric combustion chamber test bench at FH Aachen and combustion and flow simulations. The latter are used as part of extensive numerical parameter studies to develop optimised and flexibly integrable combustion chamber concepts that are validated by experimental analysis of the combustion characteristics.

This enables the scaling of applications for small to large gas turbines both in the aviation sector and in the power generating industry.

Project description

Air taxis and their operation in urban areas are the focus of current research. Technical and operational differences compared to conventional aircraft justify a review of the applicable certification guidelines. For acoustic emissions in particular, an appropriate assessment scheme must be defined that quantifies the disruptive influence of noise emissions from air taxis on the population. To this end, the applicability of existing assessment schemes for air taxis will be evaluated by means of psychoacoustic tests and their statistical analyses.

Project objective

In order to define an appropriate and suitable certification regarding the acoustic emission of air taxis, existing acoustic assessment schemes for air taxis are to be evaluated. For this purpose, results from psychoacoustic tests with test persons are to be taken into account.

Project description

The rapidly advancing global development of the market for unmanned aerial vehicles offers great potential for growth and value creation. Unmanned aerial vehicles can be designed to be significantly cheaper and more efficient than manned solutions. Researchers from Faculty 6 are therefore working on a large vertical take-off transport drone The aircraft, named "PhoenAIX", is being developed by Falk Götten and Felix Finger as part of ERDF funding. A hybrid approach is being pursued, i.e. a mixture of aeroplane and multicopter, which means that no runways are required for take-off and landing.

Project goal

The prototype of the transport drone will be developed by summer 2020. The "PhoenAIX" aircraft weighs 25 kg, can take off and land vertically if required and - depending on the configuration - transports payloads of between 3 and 6 kg, or a volume of 31.5 litres, over a distance of more than 125 km.

Further project data

Project description and objective

In 2005, the Cassini space probe discovered thermally active regions on Saturn's moon Enceladus that emit water vapour and organic and inorganic molecules into space. As this discovery made the icy moon an important target for future space missions, it is now of great scientific interest to develop technologies with which meaningful data can be collected during these missions.

To contribute to a better understanding of the fountains, the MEEGA project is working on an experiment to simulate the plumes on a REXUS research rocket.

Project objective:

• To generate and measure a supersonic water vapour flow that mimics the plumes on Enceladus. This will serve to characterise such flows and verify technologies for measuring them. The experiment is to be carried out on the final flight of a REXUS research rocket.

Project description and objective

For some years now, the exploration of the moon has increasingly become the focus of both space organisations and companies, not least due to NASA's manned Artemis programme, together with ESA, JAXA and CSA.

In this context, unmanned exploration of the moon is also experiencing a revival. The SAMLER-KI project therefore aims to utilise modern technologies for the future robotic exploration of the moon. The FB06 space laboratory is working together with the German Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI) in Bremen.

The challenges for the first and most cost-effective exploration missions are that the robots must be as compact and low-mass as possible for transport from Earth to the moon. The project is therefore developing a small, and above all lightweight, lunar-capable rover (known as a microrover).

The major challenges posed by the small size are the autonomous handling of possible danger spots, contact interruptions and survivability both during the day and during the long, cold lunar night.

Accordingly, the focus of the research project is on developing and analysing the concept for survival during the day and the lunar night, as well as achieving a high degree of autonomy for the rover. The competences of the two project partners complement each other ideally: innovative methods for thermal control are to be used to develop a heat balance that is as low-energy as possible with low power losses, while high flexibility and autonomy of the rover are to be achieved with the help of artificial intelligence.

Project objective:

• To optimise future opportunities for microrover missions on the moon by further developing and increasing the TRL (Technology Readiness Level) of critical components
• Creation of a reference model for mass, energy and communication budgets as a basis for further, more in-depth developments
• Solving problems of previous rover missions and opening up new possibilities by integrating modern technologies

Project description and objective

The DAISY research project is developing a hardware/software test environment for hybrid life support systems (LSS) for future manned space missions.

For this purpose, a small closed plant growth chamber is being developed (1m²) in which water supply, temperature, pressure, lighting and gas composition can be controlled.

The chamber will initially be used to characterise plants as LSS components. In a second step, it will be coupled with an LSS simulation in order to be able to simulate manned space missions with plants as "hardware in the loop". The other LSS components are modelled numerically.

The objectives are the characterisation of plants as components of life support systems and the validation of such closed LSS for manned space missions.

Description

Infused Thermal Solutions involves a method of passive thermal control to thermally stabilise structural components without the use of active heating and cooling systems. The ITS concept combines the properties of latent heat storage (phase change material - PCM) with additive manufacturing processes. This creates an integral structure without the need for additional components. The latent heat storage is embedded in the cavities of the additively manufactured structure. This can reduce the system mass or significantly stabilise the system thermally through low relative additional mass.

The aim of the project is to manufacture and qualify an ITS demonstrator, verified by structural and thermal analyses. In addition, the feasibility of additive manufacturing of double-walled, gas-tight, complex-shaped structures with an integrated lattice support structure will be qualified. In spring 2021, the first ITS demonstrator will be built using the 3D printing process together with the GoetheLab at FH Aachen. This will then be inspected and subjected to extensive tests.

Film about the project: www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cjOHBKTOZM

Presentation of the 2020 research prize to Prof Dr Markus Czupalla for ITS:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZnxhpJWn4E

Project description and objective

KRONOS lays the foundation for formation-flying, co-operative optical payloads.

Interdisciplinary design methods of satellite subsystems (propulsion, attitude control, power supply, communication) are embedded in an orbital 3D simulation environment.

The development of a 2D cold gas demonstrator makes it possible to verify hardware solutions (propulsion, sensors, control) and to validate the attitude control part of the simulation. The selected attitude control concepts will then be demonstrated on parabolic flights using a 3D demonstrator.

Very precise attitude control systems are required for future formation-flying, co-operative optical payloads. The necessary numerical design methods will be developed within KRONOS and verified on 2D and 3D demonstrators.

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Project description and objective

The Orbital Relay Command System (ORCS) student project is based at the FH Aachen Space Operations Facility (FHASOF) at the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering.

The 18-strong team is cooperating with the European Space Agency (ESA) on the project. The FHASOF was recently approved as an official experimenter for the ESA's OPS-SAT mini-satellite, which will be transported into orbit towards the end of 2019.

The experiment, consisting of the software for the satellite and the ground station, will enable students to send commands from our ground station to the satellite, which then forwards them to a LEGO robot designed by us. In addition to programming the software, this LEGO robot will be designed, built and equipped with various sensors. The ground station will also be upgraded to achieve an ESA-compatible status. The students will gain formative experience in the fields of programming, systems engineering and satellite mission operations.

For more information, visit the project page or contact fhasoffh-aachen.de.

Project description and objective

µMoon is a student project at FH Aachen, which participates in the REXUS programme of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and the Swedish Space Agency SNSA.

Every year, this programme enables several student teams from Europe to carry out an experiment with a sounding rocket at an altitude of around 80 kilometres in microgravity and a low residual atmosphere.

The basis for the experiment is a discovery made by the Cassini space probe in 2005 during its research mission to Saturn: Fountains emerge from the ice crust at the south pole of the moon Enceladus, hurling ice particles and water vapour into space at high speed.

The discovery of these so-called "plumes" laid the foundation for a hitherto completely new interest in the moon. There is an ocean of liquid water beneath the surface of the ice with conditions that could favour the development of microbial life similar to that on Earth. However, the extent to which these assumptions are correct also depends on whether the plumes function as assumed, which makes them an interesting subject for current and future investigations.

In order to confirm the fluid dynamics of the plumes, which has not yet been possible, 19 students from FH and RWTH are developing an experimental module, the core of which will consist of an evaporation chamber and a convergent-divergent nozzle, which should generate a supersonic flow similar to that on Enceladus.

For more information about the project, the background and the REXUS programme, simply send us an email to [email protected].

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