| Summary: | Electroaerodynamic (EAD) propulsion is a novel means of generating thrust via collisions between ions and neutral molecules. EAD thrusters have no moving parts, and are therefore almost silent; they may therefore be useful for aircraft propulsion in applications where silence is valuable. Previous research has shown that EAD for fixed-wing, heavier-than-air aircraft propulsion is feasible. The goal of this thesis is to determine whether a fixed-wing EAD aircraft can be practical; i.e., with sufficient payload, range/endurance, and flight performance to be of interest in some initial application.
Two initial applications are identified, both of which may benefit from low noise: surveillance and last-mile package delivery. Nominal mission requirements are developed. Three aircraft design case studies are presented: an uncrewed aircraft powered by unducted EAD thrusters for a surveillance mission, a family of uncrewed aircraft powered by multistaged ducted (MSD) EAD thrusters for a package delivery mission, and an uncrewed MSD-powered monoplane for a surveillance mission. MSD thrusters are more powerful and efficient than equivalent unducted EAD thrusters, in part because the duct contributes to thrust. Multidisciplinary design optimization frameworks, including models for thruster performance, aerodynamics, structures, weights, and power electronics, are developed as part of the case studies.
Excess thrust for climb is the driving requirement for EAD fixed-wing flight: a practical aircraft requires more thrust than a feasible one, in order to climb. The MSD surveillance monoplane and package-delivery aircraft can fly their nominal missions, including climb requirements. However, they require improvements in three technological areas, relative to today’s state of the art: efficient ion generation methods, low-pressure-loss thruster electrodes, and lightweight power converters are required. The package delivery mission also requires improvements in battery specific power. Plausible technological development paths in all four areas are identified.
EAD propulsion for surveillance and package delivery aircraft can be practical if the requisite technological improvements can be obtained. The technologies’ identification, as well as the parameters by which improvement is quantified, is a key contribution of this thesis. Future work should focus on demonstrating the technological improvements, enabling the development of a fixed-wing, heavier-than-air EAD aircraft with practical capabilities.
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