Module Details

Module Code: ELEC H3604
Module Title: Electrical Propulsion
Title: Electrical Propulsion
Module Level:: 7
Credits:: 10
Module Coordinator: Cathal Nolan
Module Author:: Roddy McNamee
Domains:  
Module Description: To provide students with an understanding of how propulsion systems can implement in the age of "more electric aircraft".
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Apply the fundamental principles of electrical power generation, distribution, protection and utilization on board aircraft.
LO2 Use computer based engineering tools to evaluate electronically controlled electrical and electronic propulsion systems for aircraft.
LO3 Perform calculations relating to the peformance of air breathing aerospace propulsion systems.
LO4 Develop knowledge and calculate performance of different stages of propulsion systems.
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is recommended before enrolment in this module.
No recommendations listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Additional Requisite Information
No Co Requisites listed
 
Indicative Content
Avionic Fundamentals Review
AC theory, transformers, relays, contactors, RLC Circuits, power factor, power factor correction, J-notation, polar form, transistors as a switch, pulse code modulation.
Electrical Power
Batteries (installation and operation, new battery technology, UAV batteries), DC power generation, AC power generation, emergency power generation, voltage regulation, frequency regulation, power distribution and utilization, circuit protection, external / ground power.
Electrical Motor Propulsion
Power electronics (switching devices, DC–DC converters, single-phase and multiple-phase DC–AC inverters, single-phase and multiplephase AC–DC rectifiers). Motor control systems (control functions, speed control, torque control, position measurement, generator mode for energy recuperation, protection functions). Wiring of electric power storage, power electronics and electric motor. High energy and voltages risks, and associated safety procedures.
Electric Motor Propulsion
Construction of rotating electric machines (outrunner, inrunner, rotor, stator, shaft, bearings, magnets, windings, electrical insulation, commutators, motor cooling, sensors). Induction, reluctance, brushless dc, series, shunt motors.
Introduction to Thermodynamics
Review of conservation equations: mass, momentum and energy, thermodynamics, compressible flow, Introduction: air-breathing, first Law of thermodynamics, specific heat capacity, ratio of specific heat capacities, closed systems, open system, steady state energy equation, enthalpy.
Propulsion Thermodynamics
Second Law of thermodynamics, entropy, T-S Diagrams, Otto Cycle, Diesel Cycle, Brayton Cycle, Mean effective pressure, cycle efficiency, PV diagrams.
Combustion
Combustion: stoichiometry, thermochemistry, Fuels, premixed, non-premixed flames, adiabatic flame temperature, experimental and numerical methods in combustion, flammability and stability limits.
Froude Momentum
Froude momentum theory, in-flow, thrust.
Torsion of Shafts
2nd Polar Moment, Torque, Power, Shear, Moment of Inertia, Radius of Gyration.
Balancing of Rotating Masses
Static Balancing and Dynamic Balancing, both numerically and graphically.
Vibration
Whirl Speed, Torsional Vibration, Rayleigh method, Dunkerley's method.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Continuous Assessment20.00%
Practical20.00%
End of Module Formal Examination60.00%

Assessments

Full Time

Continuous Assessment
Assessment Type Written Report % of Total Mark 10
Timing Week 8 Learning Outcomes 1,3,4
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
n/a
Assessment Type Examination % of Total Mark 10
Timing Week 5 Learning Outcomes 1,3,4
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
n/a
No Project
Practical
Assessment Type Practical/Skills Evaluation % of Total Mark 20
Timing Every Week Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
Completion of assigned practical tasks.
End of Module Formal Examination
Assessment Type Formal Exam % of Total Mark 60
Timing End-of-Semester Learning Outcomes 1,3,4
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
A formal envigilated exam at the end of the semester.
Reassessment Requirement
Repeat examination
Reassessment of this module will consist of a repeat examination. It is possible that there will also be a requirement to be reassessed in a coursework element.

SETU Carlow Campus reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Workload Category Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact No Description 12 Weeks per Stage 5.00 60
Practicals Contact No Description 12 Weeks per Stage 4.00 48
Independent Learning Time Non Contact Review of lecture notes and write up of practicals 15 Weeks per Stage 9.47 142
Total Weekly Contact Hours 9.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Warsame Hassan Ali,Matthew N. O. Sadiku,Samir Abood. (2019), Fundamentals of Electric Machines, 1st. CRC Press, Boca Raton, p.394, [ISBN: 9780367250980].
  • Hughes. (2016), Electrical & Electronic Technology, 12. Pearson, [ISBN: 9781292093048].
  • Dan M. Goebel,Ira Katz. (2008), Fundamentals of Electric Propulsion, Wiley, p.486, [ISBN: 9780470429273].
  • Stefan F. Jurek. Electrical Machines for Technicians and Technician Engineers, Longman, [ISBN: 9780582426016].
  • Saeed Farokhi. (2021), Aircraft Propulsion, 3rd Ed. 1-12, Wiley, p.900, [ISBN: 9781119718642].
  • Hill. (2009), Mechanics and Thermodynamics of Propulsion, Pearson Education India, p.760, [ISBN: 9788131729519].
  • Thomas Wild. (2018), Aircraft Powerplants, 9th. 23, McGraw-Hill, [ISBN: 9781259835704].
  • Ahmed F. El-Sayed. (2017), Aircraft Propulsion and Gas Turbine Engines, CRC Press, p.1447, [ISBN: 9781466595163].
  • Rayner Joel. (1996), Basic Engineering Thermodynamics, Prentice Hall, p.647, [ISBN: 9780582256293].
  • G. F. C. Rogers,Henry Cohen,H. I. H. Saravanamuttoo,Paul Straznicky,Andrew Nix. Gas Turbine Theory, [ISBN: 9781292093093].
Supplementary Article/Paper Resources
  • Kuznetsov, N. V et Al. (2020), Power Supply System For Aircraft With Electric Traction, 2020 21st International Scientific Conference on Electric Power Engineering (EPE), [ISSN: 2376-5631].
  • Farrakhov, Danis Barabanov, Kirill. (2020), Novel modular design of gearless electric drive for propeller of an all-electric aircraft, 2020 International Conference on Electrotechnical Complexes and Systems (ICOECS), IEEE Xplore Digital Library.
This module does not have any other resources
Discussion Note: