New Gas/Electric Hybrid Engine System

[MCA]

Fellow RVers,

I thought you?d be interested in learning about a new effort that Vertical Power is involved with called the Green Flight Project. Working with Bye Energy Inc and several other advanced technology companies, we are developing an electric/gas hybrid propulsion system for general aviation aircraft.



The first phase of development is an all-electric aircraft using an LSA platform. Later development will include an APU, thin-film solar cells, and some other interesting technology. The Vertical Power technology will be used to manage and optimize the electrical usage of the aircraft and respond intelligently to electrical system demands.

You can find more information here (scroll down a bit): http://www.verticalpower.com/news.html

[hydroguy2]

good luck Marc

[FresnoR]

So I'll be ready to install the FWF kit on my RV-7 in two years, think it'll be ready by then? ha ha...

Seriously though, I wish you guys the best of luck. I always thought there was way too much real estate on the top of the wings to not have solar panels on them. Finally a reason to not have a hangar...

[Bob Kuykendall]

Are you preparing something for CAFE 2011?

[Pilottonny]

Welcome to the ?Zoche / Innodyn / Delta Hawk? crowd and the likes

Do you have that much money? if so, why not just spend it and enjoy it?

Please let us know when you quit, but good luck to you anyway.

Regards, Tonny.

[Low Pass]

Originally Posted by MCA

Fellow RVers,

I thought you?d be interested in learning about a new effort that Vertical Power is involved with called the Green Flight Project. Working with Bye Energy Inc and several other advanced technology companies, we are developing an electric/gas hybrid propulsion system for general aviation aircraft.....

Since airplanes don't stop for traffic lights, how could a hybrid internal combustion (gas?)/electric offer any advantage in an aircraft application? Hybrids generally only offer advantage with automobiles in city driving conditions.

[FresnoR]

Good point

I would think you could use the internal combustion engine for take off and electric for cruise.

[RVbySDI]

Originally Posted by Low Pass

Since airplanes don't stop for traffic lights, how could a hybrid internal combustion (gas?)/electric offer any advantage in an aircraft application? Hybrids generally only offer advantage with automobiles in city driving conditions.

Here is my .02 on the question. Keep in mind I am not an engineer, just some bozo out here who thinks he can build a flying machine.

Reason number one, since electric motors do not need a specific amount of air to create HP, when said motor gets up to altitudes that would normally restrict the HP output of an Internal Combustion (IC) engine it would still continue to produce its designated HP.

Reason number two, since the HP produced by the electric motor is coming from stored energy in the form of some battery setup, it does not rely on the chemical fuel we store in fuel tanks. So, while that motor is pulling us along and keeping us aloft the IC engine is not using up that chemical fuel. Thus, that stored chemical fuel can go a lot further to producing energy at times when it is more efficient (i.e. take-off).

Reason number three, since it may be possible to cruise on battery power with a lot less energy expended during the cruise phase of flight the "fuel mileage" can be increased resulting in extended range for the aircraft.

Reason number next, less noise produced when the electric motor is operating and the IC is not.

Reason number next, less pollutants in the air.

Reason number next, well, hopefully you can see that there are a lot of ideas that are out there "OUTSIDE THE BOX" of current "IF HORSE & BUGGY'S STILL WORK WHY USE A HORSELESS CARRIAGE?" thinking.

[flyboykelly]

What about during the descent stage. A windmilling propeller could act like the braking action of a hybrid car.

[Bob Axsom]

Originally Posted by MCA

Fellow RVers,

I thought you?d be interested in learning about a new effort that Vertical Power is involved with called the Green Flight Project. Working with Bye Energy Inc and several other advanced technology companies, we are developing an electric/gas hybrid propulsion system for general aviation aircraft.



The first phase of development is an all-electric aircraft using an LSA platform. Later development will include an APU, thin-film solar cells, and some other interesting technology. The Vertical Power technology will be used to manage and optimize the electrical usage of the aircraft and respond intelligently to electrical system demands.

You can find more information here (scroll down a bit): http://www.verticalpower.com/news.html

NO ONE knows what you folks can do. Thank God there are a few individuals left who are willing to try to advance technology. Even if you fall short in your quest you will provide a base for further progress. GO RACER!

Bob Axsom