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Case study: Fuel-cell eVTOL

Providing kilowatts of power for auxiliary systems to a lightweight aircraft

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客戶所面臨的挑戰

eVTOLs can be used for a variety of purposes, such as urban air mobility, cargo delivery, and emergency response. They are electric vehicles by nature, but they don’t necessarily use traditional batteries: they can also use fuel cells to power the aircraft. This reduces overall weight and allows for longer flight times. However, propulsion fuel cell stacks require a substantial auxiliary power system for pumps, fans, cooling fans, and other controls that require kilowatts of power without adding bulk. The main challenges were:

  • Test and implement power solutions quickly and easily to gain competitive time to market 
  • Manage kilowatts of power without adding much space and weight
  • Ensure the highest reliability under extreme operating conditions
Fuel cell eVTOL image

Vicor 解決方案

Vicor high-density power modules effectively manage kilowatts of power within limited space. Their light weight reduces energy needed for flight and optimizes battery usage, providing the manufacturer more flexibility when designing aircraft. Power modules allow for quick testing and implementation and easily adapt to changing power requirements, accelerating time to market. 

主要优势

主要优势

Scalable icon

Power modules can be scaled to meet diverse power requirements

Optimizing space and weight icon

Compact power modules optimize space and weight on the vehicle

Rugged and highly reliable icon

Rugged and highly integrated power modules for high reliability

供電網路

Uninterrupted operation of critical auxiliary systems is ensured by leveraging a redundant battery system feeding a 40kW auxiliary power supply. The power delivery network utilizes arrays of Vicor DCM™ DC-DC converters connected in parallel, delivering over 10kW of power. Two sets of DCMs with 30V outputs are connected in series for higher power 60V pumps, utilizing the same part number product for most of the 40kw of auxiliary power, be it 24V, 28V or 60V. With up to 97% efficiency, DCMs reduce heat generation significantly, leading to improved thermal management and reliability. They maintain perfect output current sharing, even when connected to different input voltages, ensuring balanced load distribution and optimal performance. An additional Vicor DCM powers the sensitive avionics systems, providing a stable and regulated power source.

Vicor power delivery network for Fuel-cell eVTOL
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DCM DC-DC 轉換器


隔離穩壓


輸入:9 – 420V


輸出:3.3, 5, 12, 13.8, 15, 24, 28, 36, 48V


功率:高達 1300W


效率:高達 96%


小巧至 24.8 x 22.8 x 7.21 毫米


資源