@inproceedings{HippeFingerGoettenetal.2020, author = {Hippe, Jonas and Finger, Felix and G{\"o}tten, Falk and Braun, Carsten}, title = {Propulsion System Qualification of a 25 kg VTOL-UAV: Hover Performance of Single and Coaxial Rotors and Wind-Tunnel Experiments on Cruise Propellers}, series = {Deutscher Luft- und Raumfahrtkongress - DLRK 2020}, booktitle = {Deutscher Luft- und Raumfahrtkongress - DLRK 2020}, year = {2020}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{FingerGoettenBraunetal.2019, author = {Finger, Felix and G{\"o}tten, Falk and Braun, Carsten and Bil, C.}, title = {On Aircraft Design Under the Consideration of Hybrid-Electric Propulsion Systems}, series = {APISAT 2018: The Proceedings of the 2018 Asia-Pacific International Symposium on Aerospace Technology (APISAT 2018)}, booktitle = {APISAT 2018: The Proceedings of the 2018 Asia-Pacific International Symposium on Aerospace Technology (APISAT 2018)}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Singapore}, isbn = {978-981-13-3305-7}, doi = {10.1007/978-981-13-3305-7_99}, pages = {1261 -- 1272}, year = {2019}, abstract = {A hybrid-electric propulsion system combines the advantages of fuel-based systems and battery powered systems and offers new design freedom. To take full advantage of this technology, aircraft designers must be aware of its key differences, compared to conventional, carbon-fuel based, propulsion systems. This paper gives an overview of the challenges and potential benefits associated with the design of aircraft that use hybrid-electric propulsion systems. It offers an introduction of the most popular hybrid-electric propulsion architectures and critically assess them against the conventional and fully electric propulsion configurations. The effects on operational aspects and design aspects are covered. Special consideration is given to the application of hybrid-electric propulsion technology to both unmanned and vertical take-off and landing aircraft. The authors conclude that electric propulsion technology has the potential to revolutionize aircraft design. However, new and innovative methods must be researched, to realize the full benefit of the technology.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{GoettenFingerBraunetal.2019, author = {G{\"o}tten, Falk and Finger, Felix and Braun, Carsten and Havermann, Marc and Bil, C. and Gomez, F.}, title = {Empirical Correlations for Geometry Build-Up of Fixed Wing Unmanned Air Vehicles}, series = {APISAT 2018: The Proceedings of the 2018 Asia-Pacific International Symposium on Aerospace Technology (APISAT 2018)}, booktitle = {APISAT 2018: The Proceedings of the 2018 Asia-Pacific International Symposium on Aerospace Technology (APISAT 2018)}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Singapore}, isbn = {978-981-13-3305-7}, doi = {10.1007/978-981-13-3305-7_109}, pages = {1365 -- 1381}, year = {2019}, abstract = {The results of a statistical investigation of 42 fixed-wing, small to medium sized (20 kg-1000 kg) reconnaissance unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) are presented. Regression analyses are used to identify correlations of the most relevant geometry dimensions with the UAV's maximum take-off mass. The findings allow an empirical based geometry-build up for a complete unmanned aircraft by referring to its take-off mass only. This provides a bridge between very early design stages (initial sizing) and the later determination of shapes and dimensions. The correlations might be integrated into a UAV sizing environment and allow designers to implement more sophisticated drag and weight estimation methods in this process. Additional information on correlation factors for a rough drag estimation methodology indicate how this technique can significantly enhance the accuracy of early design iterations.}, language = {en} } @article{GoettenFingerHavermannetal.2021, author = {G{\"o}tten, Falk and Finger, Felix and Havermann, Marc and Braun, Carsten and Marino, M. and Bil, C.}, title = {Full configuration drag estimation of short-to-medium range fixed-wing UAVs and its impact on initial sizing optimization}, series = {CEAS Aeronautical Journal}, volume = {12}, journal = {CEAS Aeronautical Journal}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Berlin}, issn = {1869-5590 (Online)}, doi = {10.1007/s13272-021-00522-w}, pages = {589 -- 603}, year = {2021}, abstract = {The paper presents the derivation of a new equivalent skin friction coefficient for estimating the parasitic drag of short-to-medium range fixed-wing unmanned aircraft. The new coefficient is derived from an aerodynamic analysis of ten different unmanned aircraft used for surveillance, reconnaissance, and search and rescue missions. The aircraft is simulated using a validated unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier Stokes approach. The UAV's parasitic drag is significantly influenced by the presence of miscellaneous components like fixed landing gears or electro-optical sensor turrets. These components are responsible for almost half of an unmanned aircraft's total parasitic drag. The new equivalent skin friction coefficient accounts for these effects and is significantly higher compared to other aircraft categories. It is used to initially size an unmanned aircraft for a typical reconnaissance mission. The improved parasitic drag estimation yields a much heavier unmanned aircraft when compared to the sizing results using available drag data of manned aircraft.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{ThomaFisherBraun2020, author = {Thoma, Andreas and Fisher, Alex and Braun, Carsten}, title = {Improving the px4 avoid algorithm by bio-inspired flight strategies}, series = {DLRK2020 - „Luft- und Raumfahrt - Verantwortung in allen Dimensionen"}, booktitle = {DLRK2020 - „Luft- und Raumfahrt - Verantwortung in allen Dimensionen"}, pages = {10 Seiten}, year = {2020}, language = {en} } @article{FingerGoettenBraunetal.2020, author = {Finger, Felix and G{\"o}tten, Falk and Braun, Carsten and Bil, Cees}, title = {Mass, primary energy, and cost: the impact of optimization objectives on the initial sizing of hybrid-electric general aviation aircraft}, series = {CEAS Aeronautical Journal}, volume = {2020}, journal = {CEAS Aeronautical Journal}, number = {11}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Heidelberg}, issn = {1869-5590}, doi = {10.1007/s13272-020-00449-8}, pages = {713 -- 730}, year = {2020}, abstract = {For short take-off and landing (STOL) aircraft, a parallel hybrid-electric propulsion system potentially offers superior performance compared to a conventional propulsion system, because the short-take-off power requirement is much higher than the cruise power requirement. This power-matching problem can be solved with a balanced hybrid propulsion system. However, there is a trade-off between wing loading, power loading, the level of hybridization, as well as range and take-off distance. An optimization method can vary design variables in such a way that a minimum of a particular objective is attained. In this paper, a comparison between the optimization results for minimum mass, minimum consumed primary energy, and minimum cost is conducted. A new initial sizing algorithm for general aviation aircraft with hybrid-electric propulsion systems is applied. This initial sizing methodology covers point performance, mission performance analysis, the weight estimation process, and cost estimation. The methodology is applied to the design of a STOL general aviation aircraft, intended for on-demand air mobility operations. The aircraft is sized to carry eight passengers over a distance of 500 km, while able to take off and land from short airstrips. Results indicate that parallel hybrid-electric propulsion systems must be considered for future STOL aircraft.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{FingerdeVriesVosetal.2020, author = {Finger, Felix and de Vries, Reynard and Vos, Roelof and Braun, Carsten and Bil, Cees}, title = {A comparison of hybrid-electric aircraft sizing methods}, series = {AIAA Scitech 2020 Forum}, booktitle = {AIAA Scitech 2020 Forum}, doi = {10.2514/6.2020-1006}, pages = {31 Seiten}, year = {2020}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{FingerGoettenBraunetal.2019, author = {Finger, Felix and G{\"o}tten, Falk and Braun, Carsten and Bil, Cees}, title = {Cost Estimation Methods for Hybrid-Electric General Aviation Aircraft}, series = {Asia Pacific International Symposium on Aerospace Technology. APISAT 2019}, booktitle = {Asia Pacific International Symposium on Aerospace Technology. APISAT 2019}, pages = {1 -- 13}, year = {2019}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{FingerBraunBil2020, author = {Finger, Felix and Braun, Carsten and Bil, Cees}, title = {Comparative assessment of parallel-hybrid-electric propulsion systems for four different aircraft}, series = {AIAA SciTech Forum 2020, 06.01.2020 - 10.01.2020, Orlando}, booktitle = {AIAA SciTech Forum 2020, 06.01.2020 - 10.01.2020, Orlando}, doi = {10.2514/6.2020-1502}, pages = {15 Seiten}, year = {2020}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{GoettenFingerMarinoetal.2019, author = {G{\"o}tten, Falk and Finger, Felix and Marino, Matthew and Bil, Cees and Havermann, Marc and Braun, Carsten}, title = {A review of guidelines and best practices for subsonic aerodynamic simulations using RANS CFD}, series = {Asia-Pacific International Symposium on Aerospace Technology (APISAT), At Gold Coast, Australia, 04. - 06. Dezember 2019}, booktitle = {Asia-Pacific International Symposium on Aerospace Technology (APISAT), At Gold Coast, Australia, 04. - 06. Dezember 2019}, isbn = {978-1-925627-40-4}, pages = {19 Seiten}, year = {2019}, language = {de} } @article{FingerBraunBil2020, author = {Finger, Felix and Braun, Carsten and Bil, Cees}, title = {Impact of Battery Performance on the Initial Sizing of Hybrid-Electric General Aviation Aircraft}, series = {Journal of Aerospace Engineering}, volume = {33}, journal = {Journal of Aerospace Engineering}, number = {3}, publisher = {ASCE}, address = {Reston, Va.}, issn = {1943-5525}, doi = {10.1061/(ASCE)AS.1943-5525.0001113}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Studies suggest that hybrid-electric aircraft have the potential to generate fewer emissions and be inherently quieter when compared to conventional aircraft. By operating combustion engines together with an electric propulsion system, synergistic benefits can be obtained. However, the performance of hybrid-electric aircraft is still constrained by a battery's energy density and discharge rate. In this paper, the influence of battery performance on the gross mass for a four-seat general aviation aircraft with a hybrid-electric propulsion system is analyzed. For this design study, a high-level approach is chosen, using an innovative initial sizing methodology to determine the minimum required aircraft mass for a specific set of requirements and constraints. Only the peak-load shaving operational strategy is analyzed. Both parallel- and serial-hybrid propulsion configurations are considered for two different missions. The specific energy of the battery pack is varied from 200 to 1,000 W⋅h/kg, while the discharge time, and thus the normalized discharge rating (C-rating), is varied between 30 min (2C discharge rate) and 2 min (30C discharge rate). With the peak-load shaving operating strategy, it is desirable for hybrid-electric aircraft to use a light, low capacity battery system to boost performance. For this case, the battery's specific power rating proved to be of much higher importance than for full electric designs, which have high capacity batteries. Discharge ratings of 20C allow a significant take-off mass reduction aircraft. The design point moves to higher wing loadings and higher levels of hybridization if batteries with advanced technology are used.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{FingerKhalsaKreyeretal.2019, author = {Finger, Felix and Khalsa, R. and Kreyer, J{\"o}rg and Mayntz, Joscha and Braun, Carsten and Dahmann, Peter and Esch, Thomas and Kemper, Hans and Schmitz, O. and Bragard, Michael}, title = {An approach to propulsion system modelling for the conceptual design of hybrid-electric general aviation aircraft}, series = {Deutscher Luft- und Raumfahrtkongress 2019, 30.9.-2.10.2019, Darmstadt}, booktitle = {Deutscher Luft- und Raumfahrtkongress 2019, 30.9.-2.10.2019, Darmstadt}, pages = {15 Seiten}, year = {2019}, abstract = {In this paper, an approach to propulsion system modelling for hybrid-electric general aviation aircraft is presented. Because the focus is on general aviation aircraft, only combinations of electric motors and reciprocating combustion engines are explored. Gas turbine hybrids will not be considered. The level of the component's models is appropriate for the conceptual design stage. They are simple and adaptable, so that a wide range of designs with morphologically different propulsive system architectures can be quickly compared. Modelling strategies for both mass and efficiency of each part of the propulsion system (engine, motor, battery and propeller) will be presented.}, language = {en} } @article{GoettenHavermannBraunetal.2021, author = {G{\"o}tten, Falk and Havermann, Marc and Braun, Carsten and Marino, Matthew and Bil, Cees}, title = {Aerodynamic Investigations of UAV Sensor Turrets - A Combined Wind-tunnel and CFD Approach}, series = {SciTech 2021, AIAA SciTech Forum, online, WW, Jan 11-15, 2021}, journal = {SciTech 2021, AIAA SciTech Forum, online, WW, Jan 11-15, 2021}, publisher = {AIAA}, address = {Reston, Va.}, doi = {10.2514/6.2021-1535}, pages = {1 -- 12}, year = {2021}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{ThomaFisherBertrandetal.2020, author = {Thoma, Andreas and Fisher, Alex and Bertrand, Olivier and Braun, Carsten}, title = {Evaluation of possible flight strategies for close object evasion from bumblebee experiments}, series = {Living Machines 2020: Biomimetic and Biohybrid Systems}, booktitle = {Living Machines 2020: Biomimetic and Biohybrid Systems}, editor = {Vouloutsi, Vasiliki and Mura, Anna and Tauber, Falk and Speck, Thomas and Prescott, Tony J. and Verschure, Paul F. M. J.}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Cham}, isbn = {978-3-030-64312-6}, doi = {10.1007/978-3-030-64313-3_34}, pages = {354 -- 365}, year = {2020}, language = {en} } @article{KochBoehnischVerdoncketal.2024, author = {Koch, Christopher and B{\"o}hnisch, Nils and Verdonck, Hendrik and Hach, Oliver and Braun, Carsten}, title = {Comparison of unsteady low- and mid-fidelity propeller aerodynamic methods for whirl flutter applications}, series = {Applied Sciences}, volume = {14}, journal = {Applied Sciences}, number = {2}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {2076-3417}, doi = {10.3390/app14020850}, pages = {1 -- 28}, year = {2024}, abstract = {Aircraft configurations with propellers have been drawing more attention in recent times, partly due to new propulsion concepts based on hydrogen fuel cells and electric motors. These configurations are prone to whirl flutter, which is an aeroelastic instability affecting airframes with elastically supported propellers. It commonly needs to be mitigated already during the design phase of such configurations, requiring, among other things, unsteady aerodynamic transfer functions for the propeller. However, no comprehensive assessment of unsteady propeller aerodynamics for aeroelastic analysis is available in the literature. This paper provides a detailed comparison of nine different low- to mid-fidelity aerodynamic methods, demonstrating their impact on linear, unsteady aerodynamics, as well as whirl flutter stability prediction. Quasi-steady and unsteady methods for blade lift with or without coupling to blade element momentum theory are evaluated and compared to mid-fidelity potential flow solvers (UPM and DUST) and classical, derivative-based methods. Time-domain identification of frequency-domain transfer functions for the unsteady propeller hub loads is used to compare the different methods. Predictions of the minimum required pylon stiffness for stability show good agreement among the mid-fidelity methods. The differences in the stability predictions for the low-fidelity methods are higher. Most methods studied yield a more unstable system than classical, derivative-based whirl flutter analysis, indicating that the use of more sophisticated aerodynamic modeling techniques might be required for accurate whirl flutter prediction.}, language = {en} } @article{LaarmannThomaMischetal.2023, author = {Laarmann, Lukas and Thoma, Andreas and Misch, Philipp and R{\"o}th, Thilo and Braun, Carsten and Watkins, Simon and Fard, Mohammad}, title = {Automotive safety approach for future eVTOL vehicles}, series = {CEAS Aeronautical Journal}, journal = {CEAS Aeronautical Journal}, publisher = {Springer Nature}, issn = {1869-5590 (Online)}, doi = {10.1007/s13272-023-00655-0}, pages = {11 Seiten}, year = {2023}, abstract = {The eVTOL industry is a rapidly growing mass market expected to start in 2024. eVTOL compete, caused by their predicted missions, with ground-based transportation modes, including mainly passenger cars. Therefore, the automotive and classical aircraft design process is reviewed and compared to highlight advantages for eVTOL development. A special focus is on ergonomic comfort and safety. The need for further investigation of eVTOL's crashworthiness is outlined by, first, specifying the relevance of passive safety via accident statistics and customer perception analysis; second, comparing the current state of regulation and certification; and third, discussing the advantages of integral safety and applying the automotive safety approach for eVTOL development. Integral safety links active and passive safety, while the automotive safety approach means implementing standardized mandatory full-vehicle crash tests for future eVTOL. Subsequently, possible crash impact conditions are analyzed, and three full-vehicle crash load cases are presented.}, language = {en} } @article{ThomaThomessenGardietal.2023, author = {Thoma, Andreas and Thomessen, Karolin and Gardi, Alessandro and Fisher, A. and Braun, Carsten}, title = {Prioritising paths: An improved cost function for local path planning for UAV in medical applications}, series = {The Aeronautical Journal}, journal = {The Aeronautical Journal}, number = {First View}, publisher = {Cambridge University Press}, address = {Cambridge}, issn = {0001-9240 (Print)}, doi = {10.1017/aer.2023.68}, pages = {1 -- 18}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Even the shortest flight through unknown, cluttered environments requires reliable local path planning algorithms to avoid unforeseen obstacles. The algorithm must evaluate alternative flight paths and identify the best path if an obstacle blocks its way. Commonly, weighted sums are used here. This work shows that weighted Chebyshev distances and factorial achievement scalarising functions are suitable alternatives to weighted sums if combined with the 3DVFH* local path planning algorithm. Both methods considerably reduce the failure probability of simulated flights in various environments. The standard 3DVFH* uses a weighted sum and has a failure probability of 50\% in the test environments. A factorial achievement scalarising function, which minimises the worst combination of two out of four objective functions, reaches a failure probability of 26\%; A weighted Chebyshev distance, which optimises the worst objective, has a failure probability of 30\%. These results show promise for further enhancements and to support broader applicability.}, language = {en} } @article{ThomessenThomaBraun2023, author = {Thomessen, Karolin and Thoma, Andreas and Braun, Carsten}, title = {Bio-inspired altitude changing extension to the 3DVFH* local obstacle avoidance algorithm}, series = {CEAS Aeronautical Journal}, journal = {CEAS Aeronautical Journal}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Wien}, issn = {1869-5590 (Online)}, doi = {10.1007/s13272-023-00691-w}, pages = {11 Seiten}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Obstacle avoidance is critical for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) operating autonomously. Obstacle avoidance algorithms either rely on global environment data or local sensor data. Local path planners react to unforeseen objects and plan purely on local sensor information. Similarly, animals need to find feasible paths based on local information about their surroundings. Therefore, their behavior is a valuable source of inspiration for path planning. Bumblebees tend to fly vertically over far-away obstacles and horizontally around close ones, implying two zones for different flight strategies depending on the distance to obstacles. This work enhances the local path planner 3DVFH* with this bio-inspired strategy. The algorithm alters the goal-driven function of the 3DVFH* to climb-preferring if obstacles are far away. Prior experiments with bumblebees led to two definitions of flight zone limits depending on the distance to obstacles, leading to two algorithm variants. Both variants reduce the probability of not reaching the goal of a 3DVFH* implementation in Matlab/Simulink. The best variant, 3DVFH*b-b, reduces this probability from 70.7 to 18.6\% in city-like worlds using a strong vertical evasion strategy. Energy consumption is higher, and flight paths are longer compared to the algorithm version with pronounced horizontal evasion tendency. A parameter study analyzes the effect of different weighting factors in the cost function. The best parameter combination shows a failure probability of 6.9\% in city-like worlds and reduces energy consumption by 28\%. Our findings demonstrate the potential of bio-inspired approaches for improving the performance of local path planning algorithms for UAV.}, language = {en} } @article{MoehrenBergmannJanseretal.2023, author = {M{\"o}hren, Felix and Bergmann, Ole and Janser, Frank and Braun, Carsten}, title = {On the influence of elasticity on propeller performance: a parametric study}, series = {CEAS Aeronautical Journal}, volume = {14}, journal = {CEAS Aeronautical Journal}, publisher = {Springer Nature}, address = {Berlin}, issn = {1869-5590 (Online)}, doi = {10.1007/s13272-023-00649-y}, pages = {311 -- 323}, year = {2023}, abstract = {The aerodynamic performance of propellers strongly depends on their geometry and, consequently, on aeroelastic deformations. Knowledge of the extent of the impact is crucial for overall aircraft performance. An integrated simulation environment for steady aeroelastic propeller simulations is presented. The simulation environment is applied to determine the impact of elastic deformations on the aerodynamic propeller performance. The aerodynamic module includes a blade element momentum approach to calculate aerodynamic loads. The structural module is based on finite beam elements, according to Timoshenko theory, including moderate deflections. Several fixed-pitch propellers with thin-walled cross sections made of both isotropic and non-isotropic materials are investigated. The essential parameters are varied: diameter, disc loading, sweep, material, rotational, and flight velocity. The relative change of thrust between rigid and elastic blades quantifies the impact of propeller elasticity. Swept propellers of large diameters or low disc loadings can decrease the thrust significantly. High flight velocities and low material stiffness amplify this tendency. Performance calculations without consideration of propeller elasticity can lead to decreased efficiency. To avoid cost- and time-intense redesigns, propeller elasticity should be considered for swept planforms and low disc loadings.}, language = {en} } @article{UlmerBraunChengetal.2023, author = {Ulmer, Jessica and Braun, Carsten and Cheng, Chi-Tsun and Dowey, Steve and Wollert, J{\"o}rg}, title = {A human factors-aware assistance system in manufacturing based on gamification and hardware modularisation}, series = {International Journal of Production Research}, journal = {International Journal of Production Research}, publisher = {Taylor \& Francis}, issn = {0020-7543 (Print)}, doi = {10.1080/00207543.2023.2166140}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Assistance systems have been widely adopted in the manufacturing sector to facilitate various processes and tasks in production environments. However, existing systems are mostly equipped with rigid functional logic and do not provide individual user experiences or adapt to their capabilities. This work integrates human factors in assistance systems by adjusting the hardware and instruction presented to the workers' cognitive and physical demands. A modular system architecture is designed accordingly, which allows a flexible component exchange according to the user and the work task. Gamification, the use of game elements in non-gaming contexts, has been further adopted in this work to provide level-based instructions and personalised feedback. The developed framework is validated by applying it to a manual workstation for industrial assembly routines.}, language = {en} }