Bonjour !
Tout le monde y va de sa motorisation électrique pour le Taxiing des MC !
C'est de mode, et vu les temps d'attente de certains aéroports, plus que recommandable pour les MC ! Jusqu'à 700 litres d'écos, par vol, et probablement moins de nuisances sonores, et qq écos sur l'usure des moteurs principaux...et surtout des freins, et moins de risque de FOD !
WheelTug va équiper les 737 d'EL-Al] donc, un client de lancement !
Traction avant ceux là, Bi moteur quand même!
Peut être l'option la plus légère !
Et Wheel Tug a aussi des vues sur les A320 Séries !
Poids :300 livres 28 Mph, certifié pour 2013, 737 Classic donc, pas de mention côté APU !
A ce poids, le Wheeltug est "neutre" dans la plupart des cas car il économise certainement 300-400 lts de fuel, au bout de 30 minutes de Taxiing (Départ + Arrivée)
http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/el-al-to-use-electric-nose-gear-drive-for-737-taxiing-364370/
http://www.wheeltug.gi/fuel_savings.shtml
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WheelTug
http://www.wired.com/autopia/2011/11/company-wants-to-upgrade-boeing-737-to-hybrid-electric/
The twin electric motors and accessories installed on the nose gear weigh about 300 pounds. WheelTug says the system is weight neutral because it is offset by the ability to carry less fuel. Using the motors, the pilot can taxi at speeds up to 28 miles per hour.
Several companies are exploring similar ideas to eliminate the need to run the large main engines on the ground. WheelTug is the first to announce a launch customer with a device that can be retrofitted to existing aircraft without installing external power supplies or resources.
Beyond the fuel savings, airlines can reduce delays by eliminating the need to rely on tugs. Delays mean lost revenue, so it provides airlines with another way to cut costs and increase the bottom line. The electric drive also reduces the chance of an engine being damaged by ingesting debris, something that most often happens on the ground.
WheelTug hopes to have the system certified by 2013. It also is developing a version for the Airbus A320 series. El Al Airlines hopes to equip 20 of its 737s with the system upon certification.
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Le candidat pour le A320 , c'est Safran/Honeywell !
Plus complexe, peut être mieux intégré, mais plus lent en développement!
Ils visent le NEO, 2016, avec des rétrofits possibles sur les A320 "Classic"
Pas vu (Retrouvé)de chiffres sur ce projet (Poids-Vitesse)mais j'ai dû voir passer dans les 200 kg, il y a qq temps !
http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_generic.jsp?channel=aviationdaily&id=news/avd/2011/12/08/09.xml&headline=Safran,%20Honeywell%20Plan%20Electric%20Tug%20Tests%20With%20Eye%20On%20A320NEO
http://www.safran-group.com/site-safran-en/press-media/press-releases/2011-721/article/safran-and-honeywell-commence
http://www.safranmbd.com/spip.php?rubrique141
Developed in partnership between Honeywell and Safran, the Electric Green Taxing System can significantly improve airline operational efficiency and provide environmental benefits by slashing the carbon and other emissions created during runway taxi operations.
System Operation
Using the airplane’s Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) generator to power motors in the main wheels, the Electric Green Taxiing System allows aircraft to taxi without requiring the use of primary engines. Each of the aircraft’s powered wheels is equipped with an electric motor-reduction gearbox-clutch assembly to drive the wheels, while unique power electronics and system controllers give pilots total control of the aircraft’s speed, direction and braking while on the ground.
Meeting Airline Needs
With operating costs and environmental initiatives at the top of airline concerns, the Electric Green Taxiing System provides a viable solution for higher performing and greener operations. By adopting this new aircraft system, you can save several hundred thousand dollars per aircraft per year and improve your bottom line.
- Lower Fuel Burn – As taxiing operations burn a significant amount of fuel—as much as five million tons of fuel per year for short-haul aircraft—the Electric Green Taxiing System can result in savings of up to 4% in total fuel consumption.
- Increased Performance – Aircraft equipped with the system will be able to “pushback and go” more quickly, reducing both gate and tarmac congestion; improving on-time departure performance; and saving valuable time on the ground.
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Et un "Petit dernier qui apparaît ! Sur FlightGlobal, l'article à suivre !
L'association Lufthansa Technik / L3 qui apparaît, et surgit de nulle part !
Ils immobilisent un A320 de la Luft, une semaine, montent en "Provisoire, moteurs et électronique, s'amusent avec 2 jours, vérifient les parmètres, démontent tout et renvoient l'avion en service !
Et ça marche trés bien ! Moteurs sur le MLG, comme Safran !
Chapeau pour l'efficacité !
Pourquoi faire compliqué quand on peut faire simple ...
Les derniers venus pourraient bien battre Safran, sur la ligne !
Pas de poids, pour ce proto assemblé à partir de composants dispo ... 25 Kmh seulement, mais des essais totalement satisfaisants !
A priori, un vrai désign en prochain développement destiné au rétrofit des A320, et probablement les NEO aussi !
http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/video-l-3-and-lufthansa-get-moving-with-e-taxi-demonstrator-365815/
Lufthansa and technology company L-3 Communications have conducted taxi trials with an Airbus A320 equipped with electrical motors on both main landing gears (MLG) as part of a feasibility study to gain initial operational experience and data about a MLG-fitted electrical drive system.
The motors and control units were temporarily installed on the aircraft at Frankfurt International airport earlier this week. They are based on existing industrial components manufactured by L-3's Magnet Motor subsidiary in Starnberg, near Munich, and already in use on other applications such as ground vehicles.
An engineering team comprising staff from Airbus, L-3 and Lufthansa Technik (LHT) replaced the brake assemblies of the inboard MLG wheels with drive units, each one containing a liquid-cooled electrical motor, powered by the aircraft's APU, and planetary gearbox.
lufthansa a320 with electric taxi system
© Michael Gubisch/Flightglobal
Power supply cables and coolant hoses were installed along the rear of the MLG, across the landing flap trailing edge, upper wing surface and through opened passenger windows into the aircraft's interior.
System control and ancillary equipment was installed in the twinjet's aft cargo compartment, which had been fitted with a special door with two large openings for cooling.
Operational controls were fitted on the flight deck and coupled with the nose wheel steering system. The two drive units were synchronized so that if, for example, the nose wheel was deflected to its 75-degree maximum, the motor on the respective inside wheel was stopped.
lufthansa a320 with electric taxi system
© Michael Gubisch/Flightglobal
The pilots reported that the demonstrator system not only handled well, but was more responsive than the main engines normally used for the task, said Christian Mutz, project manager innovation at LHT.
The team trialled a broad range of ground manoeuvres, including sustained taxiing up to a maximum speed of 25kph (13.5kts), a 180-degree turn on a 40m-wide (130ft) taxiway, runs on sloped surfaces, and various self-powered reverse movements.
Approximately 40 test points were covered to assess values such as brake away momentum for taxi start from standstill, acceleration, energy consumption, heat development and tyre deformation in different conditions.
lufthansa a320 with electric taxi system
© Michael Gubisch/Flightglobal
The team varied tyre pressure, switched off one of the two drive units, and trialled taxiing with a fully fuelled aircraft.
Despite strong winds, with gusts up to 70kt, at Frankfurt airport on 7 December, no adverse handling was encountered with the electric taxiing system, said Mutz.
Acceleration values were a key focus particular in regard to crossing runways, for which aircraft usually must have two engines running in case of redundancy.
The flight crew also operated the system while the engines were running. Mutz said that while the powerplants provided sufficient thrust at ground idle to move the aircraft forward, the drive units were still able to reverse the twinjet. This was not only possible along a linear track, but the pilots were able to do S-turns and tight turns, he said.
Mutz added that the team was surprised about how agile and mobile the aircraft had become, and how easily the pilots adapted to the controls.
lufthansa a320 with electric taxi system
© Michael Gubisch/Flightglobal
The test data will now be evaluated and flow in the specification of a potential electric drive system in the future.
L-3 and Lufthansa Technik are planning to design a system which could be retrofitted to in-service aircraft.
Installation of the demonstrator system took two days before tests began on 6 December. The equipment is currently being removed again, and the aircraft (reg. D-AIZF) is due to re-enter passenger service on 10 December.
JPRS