The SUSAN Electrofan is a new hybrid electric large regional jet aircraft concept being studied by NASA that leverages advanced propulsion system technologies such as distributed electric propulsion (DEP) and boundary-layer ingestion (BLI) to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. In order to evaluate the individual benefits of these technologies toward the SUSAN Electrofan’s wing-mounted propulsion systems, three configurations are proposed. The first consists of two underwing pylon-mounted podded propulsors and serves as a baseline, while the second features an underwing pylon-mounted DEP concept with 16 ducted fans in a mail-slot nacelle. The third and final configuration mounts the mail-slot nacelle directly onto the pressure side of the wing to also take advantage of BLI. This paper presents preliminary investigations into the design and performance of the first two propulsion system configurations. This begins with an initial propulsor and mail-slot design where the aeropropulsive design space is explored, and adverse effects are addressed through iterative geometry modifications. The propulsion system configurations are then installed onto a wing–body model to account for integration effects and assess the relative aerodynamic and shaft power performance of each concept. Results indicate the potential benefits of DEP, which come from significant reductions in total drag, provided by operation at much lower propulsor fan pressure ratios.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Preliminary Assessment of a Distributed Electric Propulsion System for the SUSAN Electrofan


    Contributors:

    Conference:

    AIAA SciTech Forum and Exposition ; 2023 ; National Harbor, MD, US


    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




    Preliminary Assessment of a Distributed Electric Propulsion System for the SUSAN Electrofan

    Machado, Leonardo M. / Chau, Timothy / Kenway, Gaetan K. et al. | TIBKAT | 2023


    Preliminary Assessment of a Distributed Electric Propulsion System for the SUSAN Electrofan

    Leonardo Machado / Timothy Chau / Gaetan Kenway et al. | NTRS


    Preliminary Assessment of a Distributed Electric Propulsion System for the SUSAN Electrofan

    Machado, Leonardo M. / Chau, Timothy / Kenway, Gaetan K. et al. | AIAA | 2023