A Novel Airspeed Detection Method Using System Parameters of Electric Aircraft Propulsion

抄録

A novel airspeed detection method was developed for electrified aircraft, offering a reliable alternative to conventional air data equipment (ADE) utilizing pitot tubes. Conventional ADE systems are susceptible to failure and may pose challenges in installation on newly configured aircraft. The proposed method used monitored quantities such as rotational speed, motor torque, and current of a propulsion propeller positioned directly opposite to the airflow. The procedure for calculating propeller torque and the subsequent detection of airspeed by propeller advance ratio were formulated using the monitored quantities. Since it is inherently difficult to determine a priori the propeller characteristics, particularly the relationship between propeller torque and advance ratio, a ground-roll-based procedure was devised to identify these characteristics. Additionally, an advanced procedure was developed to estimate airspeed as well as air density by modulating rotation speed marginally during flight. Flight demonstrations employing an electrified motor glider showed minimal deviation between this method and ADE outputs, typically within a few percent. Wind tunnel tests employing the same propeller as the motor glider demonstrated that airspeed and density can be estimated within 10% error.