DE102013009677B4 - Propulsion unit for an aircraft - Google Patents

Abstract

Drive unit (1, 11) for an aircraft, embodied as a duct-guided fan (31), with a duct-shaped air duct and a first group of wings (24a), which act as first deflection devices for driving the fluid surrounding the drive unit in an axis of rotation (A ) parallel direction and have first deflection surfaces which are inclined and/or curved with respect to a plane running transversely to the axis of rotation (A), wherein the air duct has an air duct element (3, 14) which extends essentially along a symmetrically around the Axis of rotation (A) arranged circular cylindrical lateral surface, characterized in that the drive unit (1, 11) is a homopolar motor with a stator (2) and at least one rotor (4, 13) rotatable about the axis of rotation (A), the rotor (4 , 13) has the first group of vanes (24a) as electrically conductive rotor elements which extend essentially in the radial direction and by means of a contact element ents (8, 16) with the electrically conductive air guiding element (3, 14) are connected to an electric fan current (6, 17) between the through the first group of wings (24a) formed rotor elements (24, 27) and the Air guiding element (3, 14) in order to direct the fan current (6, 17) through the electrically conductive rotor elements (24, 27) in a first radial direction, wherein electrically conductive current return elements (25 , 26) are provided in order to redirect the fan current (6, 17) in the opposite second radial direction, wherein a magnetic field generating device is provided for generating a magnetic field running parallel to the axis of rotation (A).

Description

The invention relates to a drive unit for an aircraft according to the preamble of claim 1, as it is from U.S. 2006/0016929 A1 is known.

From the U.S. 4,309,621A For example, a fluid dynamoelectric machine, such as a compressor or pump or turbine generator, is known in which a stator has an annular casing through which fluid flows. The fluid dynamoelectric machine is designed as a homopolar motor, with a current loop being formed by a first line, brushes, a peripheral ring of a rotor, rotor blades, a rotor shaft, brushes, stator blades of the stator and a second line. The stator also has a coil, by means of which a magnetic field is generated parallel to the axis of rotation. The fluid dynamo-electric machine is operated either as a pump or as a compressor or in generator mode as a turbine generator.

From the U.S. 2006/0016929 A1 a counter-rotating ducted fan with two propellers as a propulsion unit of a combined land-aircraft is known. The aircraft shall have an internal combustion engine and two wheel axles for driving over normal roads and a flight propulsion unit for flying in the manner of a helicopter. The flight propulsion unit has a channel-shaped air guide element, which should consist of material with strong magnetic field-generating properties. An annular iron core, which forms a stator iron core, is present on the air guiding element. A plurality of stator teeth protrude radially inwards from the stator as stator poles, around which windings are wound. A first propeller or fan and a second propeller or second fan rotate within this air guiding element, with permanent magnets being arranged on the wing tips. The fans thus form a first rotor and a second rotor of a permanent magnet electric motor. Whether the vehicle depicted can ever fly is highly questionable due to the heavy iron materials used.

In the DE 44 17 144 A1 describes the idea of raising a wide-bodied aircraft in the manner of the rotorcraft principle. For this purpose, a ring rotor is to be driven up to the speed of sound, with a multiplicity of rotor blades protruding outwards being provided on the outer circumference of the ring rotor. The ring rotor should be held electromagnetically without bearings. The homopolar principle is proposed for driving the ring disk. For this purpose, a stator should be arranged along the edge of a circular area not encompassed by the rotor. The rotor should turn around at this circular surface. The rotor has the annular disc and the more outwardly extending vanes with many bladed surfaces. The ring disk should be packed continuously with conductor bars and coils in the circumferential direction. The conductor bars are intended to conduct the direct current of the rotor from the outside inwards, while the feedback to the outside area is to be taken over by the coils. A workable embodiment for practicing these ideas is not disclosed. A practical implementation is also hard to imagine.

In aeronautics, electric motors are currently used in unmanned aircraft, for example. Unmanned aerial vehicles are also called drones or UAV (“Unmanned Aerial Vehicle”). Out of U.S. 8,128,019 B2 such as EP 2 196 392 A2 UAVs with a hybrid system are known. These two publications relate to mini-UAVs that can be carried by infantry troops in the field and can fly at low altitudes with very little power. Here, an internal combustion engine is operated at a constant speed; an additional electric motor is operated variably in order to carry out power control with a simple and lightweight structure.

Electric motors offer the advantage that they can be operated using storable energy. Another advantage of electric motors is that they generate less noise than combustion engines. Although the volumetric power density and volumetric torque density of conventional electric motors are adequate for use in aircraft, the low power-to-weight ratio and low torque-to-weight ratio resulting from the use of ferrous materials prevent such motors from being used in aviation. For this reason, efforts are being made to minimize the use of iron in the electric motors used in aviation. However, this can result in a significant reduction in the power provided by the electric motor and in the torque generated by the electric motor.

The design principles governing an engine intended for use in an aircraft do not allow the engine's drive and blades to be integrated into a single component. This requires the use of two separate components, such as a gas turbine (or an electric motor) that generates the power and the blades of the engine itself, which generate the thrust, for example.

When using conventional electric motors in an aircraft, the advance is thereby generates that the motor drives a propeller or a turbine by the electric motor passing on its generated torque by means of a shaft and, if necessary, a gearbox to the propeller.

In the aerospace industry, electric motors are used for propulsion and power generation purposes. By using metal-containing materials in their cores, conventional electric motors can generate a high power density in the air gaps, as far as magnetic saturation allows. The use of metal-containing materials comes at the expense of a higher weight.

Homopolar motors are a type of electrical machine that can operate without the use of iron. However, the homopolar motors provide very little torque. Torque is generated by the Lorentz force, which is created when current flows radially inward or radially outward in the rotor and a magnetic field is placed within the rotor that is axially directed, without the need to use a commutator.

• • hohe magnetische Felder und hohe Ströme sind nötig, um ein hohes Drehmoment zu erzeugen;
• • keine Verwendung einer Spule möglich, die mehr als einfach gewickelt ist;
• • Schleifringe oder Kontaktbürsten werden benötigt, um einen elektrischen Pfad für den elektrischen Strom beim Eintritt und beim Austritt in den Rotor herzustellen.

However, homopolar motors have some disadvantages:

• • high magnetic fields and high currents are needed to generate high torque;
• • no use of a coil that is wound more than once is possible;
• • Slip rings or contact brushes are needed to create an electrical path for the electric current entering and exiting the rotor.

A ducted fan is a propelling device in which the fan (a type of propeller) is located within a cylindrical duct or shroud. This enables more efficient generation of thrust than in conventional propeller systems. In most arrangements, the fan is powered by a gas turbine (also known as a turbofan), with the power to drive the fan being generated by combustion and then transmitted to the fan by means of a shaft, the shaft connecting the low-pressure turbine stage to the fan .

• • zwei separate Komponenten, nämlich Fan und Gasturbine werden benötigt;
• • eine mechanische Verbindung (eine Welle) zwischen Fan und Gasturbine werden benötigt, da die Leistung an einem anderen Ort produziert wird als der Ort, in dem sie tatsächlich zur Anwendung kommt.

The ducted fan has the following disadvantages in a turbofan assembly:

• • two separate components, namely fan and gas turbine are required;
• • A mechanical connection (a shaft) between the fan and the gas turbine is required since the power is produced at a different location than where it is actually used.

A combination of homopolar motors with an air ducted fan is known under the name Aero-Tron, which describes an aircraft propulsion concept developed by Guina Research & Developments PTY LTD. has been made known. However, this concept only replaces the gas turbines with a homopolar motor while the mechanical connection between the homopolar motor and the fan in the form of a gearbox is still required.

A fan provided with an air duct in a turbofan arrangement has the further disadvantage that, with two counter-rotating fans, a gearbox is required for driving, which requires a high level of maintenance.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to create a drive unit which is characterized by a simple structure and a high power-to-weight ratio. A further object of the invention is to create a drive unit in which the number of components used is reduced.

This object is achieved by a drive unit according to claim 1.

The drive unit includes a stator and a rotor which is rotatable about an axis of rotation. The stator can have electrically conductive stator elements as current return elements, which essentially extend in the radial direction. The rotor has electrically conductive rotor elements that extend essentially in the radial direction. The rotor elements include first deflection devices for driving the fluid surrounding the drive unit in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation. The fluid is preferably a gas or gas mixture, more preferably air.

The drive unit can be used to combine the wings or blades of a fan, for example an engine, which serve to advance the fluid located in the drive unit, and the electrical components which are responsible for generating the power. As a result, a compact and simple drive system can be created which has a high power-to-weight ratio, making it particularly suitable for use in an aircraft.

In a preferred embodiment of the drive unit according to the invention are a variety of Provided current feedback elements and the rotor comprises a plurality of rotor elements. The current return elements and/or the rotor elements are preferably arranged equidistantly from one another in the circumferential direction.

In the drive unit according to the invention, the rotor serves on the one hand to generate a rotational movement. At the same time, however, the rotor, by means of its deflection device, serves to drive the fluid surrounding the drive unit in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation. This saves the weight of an additional propeller and the shaft needed to drive the propeller. Further preferably, the stator or a second propeller has the same number of current return elements as the rotor has rotor elements.

The rotor is preferably designed as a propeller (referred to below as a fan). Furthermore, the rotor elements are preferably designed as vanes or blades, with the deflection device being formed by the vane or the blade.

The aforementioned configurations offer the advantage that the rotor or the rotor and a second propeller are approximately balanced, as a result of which the vibrations generated by rotation of the rotor and/or rotation of the additional propeller are reduced. The deflection surface according to this configuration improves the circulation of the fluid.

According to the invention, the drive unit is characterized by an air-guiding element which extends essentially along a circumferential cylindrical surface arranged symmetrically about the axis of rotation and which is preferably connected to the stator element. The deflection device preferably serves to drive the fluid located within the air guiding element. Furthermore, the deflection surface preferably serves to drive the fluid located within the air guiding element.

The drive unit is preferably characterized in that the air guiding element is electrically conductive and the rotor has a contact element for transmitting electrical current into the air guiding element, the contact element preferably comprising a slip ring and/or a contact brush and/or a plasma collector ring.

The drive unit is preferably characterized in that the rotor is assigned a first coil element for generating a magnetic field, with the first coil element extending essentially along a circular cylinder lateral surface arranged symmetrically about the axis of rotation.

The magnetic field generated by the first coil element preferably runs largely parallel to the axis of rotation inside the drive unit, preferably inside the air guiding element.

In a preferred embodiment, the first coil element surrounds the air guiding element at least in sections.

The first coil element preferably has a length in the axial direction that is approximately constant in the circumferential direction of the first coil element, with the first coil element preferably surrounding the rotor element approximately along its center with respect to the axial direction, preferably concentrically. This configuration offers the advantage that the rotor or the rotor elements are arranged in the area in which the magnetic field generated by the coil element is strongest and in which the magnetic field runs parallel to the axis of rotation.

In a preferred embodiment, the first coil element comprises a wire wound in the circumferential direction, which is preferably made of a material or mixture of materials having superconducting properties. This configuration offers the advantage that the electrical resistance that occurs in the wire approaches zero as soon as the temperature is kept so low that the substance or the substance mixture acquires the superconducting properties.

The rotor and/or the stator preferably includes a contact element for transmitting electric current into a shaft, with the contact element preferably including a slip ring and/or a contact brush and/or a plasma collector ring.

In a preferred embodiment, the flow return elements are rotatably mounted about the axis of rotation and include a second deflection device for driving the fluid surrounding the drive unit, preferably the fluid located inside the air guiding element, in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation. In this embodiment, the drive unit is designed with a second rotor, which also rotates about the axis of rotation but in the opposite direction to the rotor element. The second deflection device is set up in such a way that, when the stator element rotates in the opposite direction to the rotation of the rotor element, it circulates the fluid surrounding the drive unit in the same direction as the rotor element. This will create a second Propeller formed, and the power of the propulsion unit can be increased.

In a preferred embodiment of the drive unit according to the invention, the second deflection device has at least one second deflection surface which is inclined and/or curved with respect to the plane running transversely to the axis of rotation. This configuration enables the air to be circulated efficiently through the flow return element.

A second coil element for generating a magnetic field is preferably assigned to the second rotor, with the second coil element extending along a circular cylindrical lateral surface arranged symmetrically about the axis of rotation.

The second coil element preferably surrounds the air guiding element at least in sections.

The second coil element preferably has a length in the axial direction that is approximately constant in the circumferential direction of the second coil element, with the second coil element preferably surrounding the stator element, preferably coaxially, approximately along its center with respect to the axial direction. This configuration offers the advantage that the second rotor or the current return element is arranged where the component of the magnetic field running parallel to the axis of rotation is highest.

Preferably, the second coil element comprises a wire wound in the circumferential direction, which is preferably made of a material or mixture of materials having superconducting properties. This configuration offers the advantage that the electrical resistance that occurs in the wire approaches zero as soon as the temperature is kept so low that the substance or the substance mixture acquires the superconducting properties.

• 1 eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Antriebseinheit für ein Luftfahrzeug gemäß einem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel;
• 2 eine weitere perspektivische Ansicht der Antriebseinheit gemäß dem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel;
• 3 eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Antriebseinheit nach einem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel;
• 4 eine weitere perspektivische Ansicht einer Antriebseinheit nach dem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel.

Further advantageous configurations of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the attached drawings. Show in it:

• 1 a perspective view of a drive unit for an aircraft according to a first embodiment;
• 2 another perspective view of the drive unit according to the first embodiment;
• 3 a perspective view of a drive unit according to a second embodiment;
• 4 another perspective view of a drive unit according to the second embodiment.

the 1 and 2 each show a perspective view of a drive unit 1 according to a first exemplary embodiment. The drive unit 1 comprises a stator 2 and a rotor 4 which is rotatable about an axis of rotation A. The stator 2 has at least one electrically conductive stator element 25 which extends essentially in the radial direction with respect to the axis of rotation A. The rotor 4 has at least one electrically conductive rotor element 24 which extends essentially in the radial direction with respect to the axis of rotation A.

Specifically, the drive unit 1, as shown in the first embodiment 1 and 2 shown, a stator 2 with a plurality of stator elements 25 and / or a rotor 4 with a plurality of rotor elements 24 on. The number of stator elements 25 used is preferably the same as the number of rotor elements 24 used. In the exemplary embodiment, the stator 2 has five stator elements and the rotor 4 has five rotor elements 24 .

The drive unit 1 also includes an air guiding element 3 which extends essentially along a circular cylinder lateral surface arranged symmetrically about the axis of rotation A. The air guiding element 3 is connected to the stator elements 25 , the air guiding element 3 and the stator elements 25 being connected to one another in such a way that an electric current can flow between the ventilation guiding element 3 and the stator elements 25 . The stator 2 and the rotor 4 are connected to a shaft. The stator elements 25 and the rotor elements 24 are either made of an electrically conductive material or mixture of materials or comprise electrical conductors, so that a first electric current 6 - called fan current 6 below - can flow through the stator elements 25 and the rotor elements 24 . The fan current 6 is preferably direct current.

In one embodiment, the rotor 4 and/or the stator 2 have a contact element 7 for transmitting electric current into a shaft, the contact element 7 preferably comprising a slip ring and/or a contact brush and/or a plasma collector ring. This design allows the current 6 to flow from the stator 2 into the shaft and from the shaft into the rotor 4 .

In another embodiment, the rotor 4 and/or the rotor elements 24 have a contact element 8 for transmitting fan current 6 to the air guiding element 3, with the Contact element 8 includes a slip ring and / or a contact brush and / or a plasma collector ring. As a result, the first current 6 can flow radially outwards from the center of the rotor 4 through the rotor elements 24 and into the electrically conductive air guiding element 3 .

A first coil 9 comprising an electrically conductive wire or a superconductive wire wound in the circumferential direction is arranged around the air guiding element 3 . A first coil current 10, which is preferably direct current, can flow in the wire of the first coil 9. The first coil current 10 flows inside the first coil 9 in the circumferential direction. If the first coil current 10 flows in the first coil 9 , a magnetic field is induced which runs essentially parallel to the axis of rotation A within the air guiding element 3 . Through the interaction of the fan current 6 and the magnetic field induced by the first coil current 10, a Lorenz force acts directly on the rotor elements 24, which results in a rotation 5 of the rotor 4.

The rotor elements 24 each include a deflection device for driving the fluid surrounding the drive unit 1, namely the fluid located inside the air guiding element 3, in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation A. The deflection device converts the rotational movement of the rotor 4 into a feed movement, running parallel to the axis of rotation A, of the fluid surrounding the drive unit 1 and located inside the air guiding element 3 . The deflection device preferably comprises at least one first deflection surface, which is inclined and/or curved with respect to a plane running transversely to the axis of rotation A.

If the flow direction of the fan stream 6 flowing through the rotor elements 24 is reversed, the force acting on the rotor 4 also acts in the opposite direction, so that the rotor 4 assumes the opposite direction of rotation, and thus the fluid surrounding the drive unit 1 in the opposite direction direction is driven. If instead the direction of flow of the first coil current 10 flowing in the first coil 9 is reversed, the magnetic field induced by the second current 10 is also reversed, so that the direction of rotation of the rotor 4 and the direction of advance of the fluid surrounding the drive unit 1 are also reversed . The coil element 9 is preferably arranged in such a way that it surrounds the rotor 4 and the rotor elements 24 centrally and concentrically. The rotor 4 and the rotor elements 24 are accordingly arranged at the point at which the magnetic field induced by the first coil element 9 is greatest and runs parallel to the axis of rotation A.

As in 1 and 2 As shown, the fan current 6 flows through the rotor elements 24 in one radial direction and back through the stator elements 25 in the opposite radial direction. The stator elements 25 thus act as current return elements for returning the fan current 6 in the radial direction.

the 3 and 4 show a drive unit 11 according to a second embodiment. The drive unit 11 comprises a first rotor 13 and a second rotor 12. The first rotor 13 and the second rotor 12 are each rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation A. The second rotor 12 includes at least one electrically conductive current return member 26 extending substantially radially. The first rotor 13 comprises at least one electrically conductive rotor element 27 which extends essentially in the radial direction. The drive unit 12 can also have a plurality of current feedback elements 26 and a plurality of rotor elements 27 , the number of current feedback elements 26 preferably corresponding to the number of rotor elements 27 . In the specific exemplary embodiment, the drive unit 11 has a second rotor 12 with five current return elements 26 and a first rotor 13 with five rotor elements 27 .

The drive unit 11 according to the second exemplary embodiment comprises an air guiding element 14 which extends essentially along a circular cylinder jacket surface which is arranged symmetrically about the axis of rotation A. The air guiding element 14 includes a contact element 15 for transmitting electric current from the second rotor 12 into the air guiding element 14. The contact element 15 preferably includes a slip ring and/or a contact brush and/or a plasma collector ring.

Furthermore, the first rotor 13 includes a contact element 16 for transmitting electric current from the first rotor 13 to the air guiding element 14. The contact element 16 preferably includes a slip ring and/or a contact brush and/or a plasma collector ring.

The rotor elements 27 have a first deflection device, which serves to drive the fluid surrounding the drive unit 11 in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation A. In contrast to the stator 2 of the configuration according to the first exemplary embodiment, the second rotor 12 also serves to drive the fluid surrounding the drive unit 11 . This is achieved in that the second rotor 12, which otherwise acts like the stator 2, is rotatably mounted and the current return elements 26 include a second deflection device, which is used to drive the drive unit 11 surrounding fluid, preferably the fluid located inside the air guide element 14 in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation A is used. The second deflection device preferably comprises at least one second deflection surface which is inclined and/or curved with respect to a plane running transversely to the axis of rotation A.

A first coil 20 is arranged around the air guiding element 14 and comprises an electrically conductive wire or a superconducting wire which is wound in the circumferential direction. A first coil current 22, which is preferably direct current, can flow in the wire of the first coil 20. The first coil current 22 flows in the circumferential direction within the first coil 20 . If the first coil current 22 flows in the first coil 20 , a magnetic field is induced which runs essentially parallel to the axis of rotation A within the air guiding element 14 . The interaction of a fan current 17 flowing through the rotor elements 27 in a first radial direction and then through the current return elements in the opposite, second radial direction with the magnetic field induced by the first coil current 22 causes a Lorentz force directly on the rotor elements 27, the one Rotation 34 of the first rotor 13 results.

The drive unit 11 according to the second exemplary embodiment also includes a second coil element 19 for generating a magnetic field. The second coil element 19 extends along a circumferential cylindrical surface arranged symmetrically about the axis of rotation A. The second coil element 19 surrounds the air guiding element 14 at least in sections. The second coil element 19 has a length in the axial direction that is approximately constant in the circumferential direction of the second coil element 19 . The second coil element 19 surrounds the second rotor 12 and the current return elements 26 concentrically and along its center. The second coil element 19 comprises a wire wound in the circumferential direction, which is preferably made of a material or material mixture having superconducting properties.

According to the in the 3 and 4 reproduced embodiment, the second rotor 12 as well as the first rotor 13 is rotatably mounted. Thus, the second rotor 12 and the first rotor 13 can be set in a rotational movement 23 or 34, so that both the second rotor 12 with its current return elements 26 provided with a second deflection device and the first rotor 13 with its rotor elements provided with a first deflection device 13 serve to drive the fluid surrounding the drive unit 11, preferably the fluid located inside the air guiding element 14, in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation A. Preferably, the second rotor 12 rotates in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the first rotor 13 . The current return elements 26 and the rotor elements 27 are made of an electrically conductive material or mixture of materials and/or comprise an electrical conductor.

The arrangement of the drive unit 11 according to the second exemplary embodiment makes it possible for the fan current 17 to flow from the air guiding element 14 through the contact element 15 into the second rotor 12 . Within the second rotor 12, the fan current 17 flows radially inward through the current return elements 26 to the contact element 18. There, the fan current 17 flows via a shaft and another contact element into the first rotor 13. The fan current 17 flows inside of the first rotor 13 through the rotor elements 27 radially outwards in order to flow back into the air guiding element 14 via the contact element 16 .

The first coil 20 and the second coil element 19 are arranged around the air guiding element 14 . The first coil 20 and the second coil element 19 are each formed from a circumferentially wound wire including an electrical conductor. The wire can preferably consist of a substance or mixture of substances which has superconducting properties.

The first coil 20 surrounds the first rotor 13 and the rotor elements 27 centrally and concentrically. The second coil element 19 surrounds the second rotor 12 and the current return elements 26 centrally and concentrically. This means that the center of the first coils 20 and the center of the first rotor 13 are approximately one above the other and the center of the second coil element 19 and the center of the second rotor 12 are also approximately one above the other. A first coil current 22, which is preferably a direct current, flows through the first coil 20 in the circumferential direction. A second coil current 21, which is preferably a direct current, flows through the second coil element 19. The first coil 20 and the second coil element 19 induce a magnetic field, which in each case runs essentially parallel to the axis of rotation A within the air guiding element 14 .

Through the interaction of the fan current 17 and the magnetic field induced by the second coil current 21, a Lorenz force acts directly on the current return elements 26 of the second rotor 12 and causes the second rotor 12 to rotate in the direction of the rotary movement 23. Through the interaction of the Fan current 17 and through the first coil current 22 induced magnetic field, a Lorenz force is exerted directly on the rotor elements 27 of the first rotor 13, so that the first rotor 13 exerts a rotational movement 34.

The fluid surrounding the drive unit 11, preferably the fluid located within the air guiding element 14, can be driven in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation A by means of the first deflection devices and the second deflection devices. By reversing the direction of flow of the fan current 17, the direction of rotation 23 of the second rotor 12 and the direction of rotation 34 of the first rotor 13 can be reversed. By reversing the direction of flow of the first coil current 22, a reversal of the direction of the rotational movement 34 of the first rotor 13 can be achieved. By reversing the direction of flow of the second coil current 24, a reversal of the direction 23 of the rotational movement of the second rotor 12 can be achieved.

A drive unit 1 according to the 1 and 2 The first embodiment shown may be referred to as a ducted fan 31 having two groups of blades 24a, 25a. The second group of vanes 25a or blades forms the stator 2 and is connected to an inner shroud 3a to serve as an attachment point for the second group of vanes 24a or blades. The first group of vanes 24a forms the rotor 4 or fan. The rotor 4 or fan is adapted to rotate in the azimuth direction - rotation 5.

Both the wings 25a of the stator 2 and the wings 24a of the fans - rotor 4 - are made of electrically conductive material or include electrical conductors that are embedded in the wings 24a, 25a, so that through the wings 24a, 25a direct current from the inner shroud 3 can flow through the stator 2 in a radially inward direction. The direct current is called fan current 6 below.

The stator 2 and the fan—rotor 4—are connected to the axis of rotation—axis of rotation A—arranged shaft via a slip ring, a contact brush or a plasma collector ring—contact element 7 . The fan current 6 can flow in the axial direction into the fan rotor 4 through the slip ring, the contact brush or the plasma collector ring 7 . The fan current 6 flows from the center of the fan in an outward radial direction and into the inner shroud 3a via another slip ring, another contact brush or another plasma collector ring - contact element 8 -.

Above the inner shroud 3a, a coil 9 made of a normal conductor or a superconductor is arranged, which is centered radially and axially over the center of the fan rotor 4. The coil 9 is wound in the azimuth direction in the form of a ring, and direct current, which is here called coil current 10, flows through the coil 9 in the azimuth direction. The coil current 10 induces a magnetic field inside the inner shroud 3a. The magnetic field is parallel to the axis of rotation A of the rotor 4. The interaction of the fan current 6 and the magnetic field induced by the coil current 10 produces a Lorentz force that acts directly on the fan blades 24a, causing rotation in Azimuth direction 5 is caused. The rotation of the fan creates thrust. The direction of flow of the fan stream 6 can also be reversed so that the fan rotates in the opposite direction and a thrust in the reverse direction can be generated.

The in the 3 and 4 The illustrated embodiment of the drive unit 11 is designed, for example, as a counter-rotating fan 41 which is provided with an air duct and also has two groups of blades 26a, 27a. The wings 26a, 27a can also be referred to as blades. The second group of wings 26a forms a rear fan - second rotor 12 - and the first group of wings 27a forms a front fan - first rotor 13. Both the rear fan and the front fan are pivoted about the axis of rotation A.

Both the rear fan blades 26a and the front fan blades 27a are made of electrically conductive material or have electrical conductors embedded therein.

The inner shroud 14a is connected to the rear fan via a rear slip ring, a rear contact brush or a rear plasma collector ring - contact element 15. The inner shroud 14a is also connected to the front fan via a front slip ring, a front contact brush or a front plasma collector ring - contact element 16. This allows direct current, referred to here as fan current 17, from the inner shroud 14a through the rear slip ring, the rear contact brush or the rear plasma collector ring - contact element 15 - into the rear fan - second rotor 12 - and to its center flow in the radial direction.

The rear fan - second rotor 12 - and the front fan - first rotor 13 - are connected via a central slip ring, a central contact brush or a central plasma collector ring - contact element 18 - through which the fan current 17 continues in the axial direction flow into the front fan 13 ßen can be electrically connected to the common axis of rotation. The fan current 17 flows from the center of the front fan in an outward radial direction and into the inner shroud 14a via the front slip ring, front contact brush or front plasma collector ring.

On the inner shroud 14a, the rear coil - second trace element 19 - and the front coil - first coil 20 - are arranged and are respectively axially and radially centered around the center of the rear fan - second rotor 12 - and the center of the front fan - first rotor 13 - centered. The rear coil and the front coil are wound in the azimuth direction in the form of a ring.

Direct current, referred to below as the rear coil current--second coil current 21--flows through the rear coil 19, also in the azimuth direction. Another direct current, hereinafter referred to as the front coil current - first coil current 22 - flows through the front coil 20. The rear coil (21) induces a magnetic field inside the shroud 14a, with the magnetic field being parallel to the axis of rotation A of the rear Fans (12) runs. The front coil current (22) induces a magnetic field inside the inner shroud 14a, the magnetic field being parallel to the axis of rotation A of the front fan (13).

The interaction of the fan current 17 and the magnetic field induced by the rear coil current (21) produces a Lorentz force that acts directly on the blades 26a of the rear fan (12), causing the rear fan (12) to rotate (Rotational movement 23) in the azimuth direction. The interaction between the fan current 17 and the magnetic field induced by the front coil current (22) produces a Lorentz force which acts directly on the blades 26a of the front fan (12), causing the front fan (12 ) performs a rotation in the azimuth direction (rotational movement 34). The rotation of the rear fan (12) and the front fan (13) create a thrust.

The direction of flow of the fan stream 17 can also be reversed, so that the direction of rotation of the rear fan (12) and the front fan (13) is reversed, so that thrust can be generated in the reverse direction. If the rear coil current (21) and the front coil current (22) flow in the same azimuth direction, then the direction of rotation (24) of the rear fan (13) is opposite to the direction of rotation (23) of the front fan (12). If the rear coil current (21) and the front coil current (22) flow in an opposite azimuth direction, then the front fan (13) and the rear fan (12) rotate in the same azimuth direction.

The drive unit 1, 11 is characterized by an increased power-to-weight ratio. This means that the ratio of the power provided by the drive unit to the weight of the drive unit 1, 11 is increased compared to conventional drive units. The drive unit 1, 11 is also characterized by an increased torque weight. This means that the ratio of the torque generated by the drive unit 1, 11 to the weight of the drive unit 1, 11 is increased compared to conventional drive units. The increase in the power-to-weight ratio and the torque-to-weight ratio is achieved in that the drive unit 1, 11 does not require the use of iron. Furthermore, this goal is achieved in that the components that convert an electric current flowing through the drive unit 1, 11 into a rotational movement, namely the rotor 4, 13 and the second rotor 12, also serve to drive the fluid. Thus, the use of a shaft to transmit the rotational energy in, for example, a propeller and possibly the use of a gear can also be dispensed with. The mechanical complexity of the drive unit 1, 11 is thus significantly reduced. Likewise, the drive unit 1, 11 enables the drive of the fluid to be achieved by means of two components rotating in opposite directions.

Reference List

1

drive unit

2

stator

3

air guide element

3a

shroud

4

rotor

6

fan stream

5

rotation

7

contact element

8th

contact element

9

first coil

10

first coil current

11

drive unit

12

second rotor

13

first rotor

14

air guide element

14a

inner shroud

15

contact element

16

contact element

17

fan stream

18

contact element

19

second coil element

20

first coil

21

second coil current

22

first coil current

23

rotation (second rotor)

24

rotor element

24a

first wings

25

stator element

25a

second wings

26

current feedback element

26a

first wings

27

rotor element

27a

second wings

31

ducted fan

34

rotation (first rotor)

41

counter-rotating ducted fan

A

axis of rotation

Claims (15)

Drive unit (1, 11) for an aircraft, embodied as a duct-guided fan (31), with a duct-shaped air duct and a first group of wings (24a), which act as first deflection devices for driving the fluid surrounding the drive unit in an axis of rotation (A ) parallel direction and have first deflection surfaces which are inclined and/or curved with respect to a plane running transversely to the axis of rotation (A), wherein the air duct has an air duct element (3, 14) which extends essentially along a symmetrically around the Axis of rotation (A) arranged circular cylindrical lateral surface, characterized in that the drive unit (1, 11) is a homopolar motor with a stator (2) and at least one rotor (4, 13) rotatable about the axis of rotation (A), wherein the rotor (4 , 13) having the first group of vanes (24a) as electrically conductive rotor elements, which extend essentially in the radial direction and by means of a contact lements (8, 16) with the electrically conductive air guiding element (3, 14) are connected to an electric fan current (6, 17) between the through the first group of wings (24a) formed rotor elements (24, 27) and the Air guiding element (3, 14) in order to direct the fan current (6, 17) through the electrically conductive rotor elements (24, 27) in a first radial direction, with electrically conductive current return elements (25 , 26) are provided in order to redirect the fan current (6, 17) in the opposite second radial direction, a magnetic field generating device being provided for generating a magnetic field running parallel to the axis of rotation (A). drive unit after claim 1 , characterized in that the contact element (8, 16) comprises a slip ring and/or a contact brush and/or a plasma collector ring. Drive unit according to one of Claims 1 or 2 , characterized in that the magnetic field generating device comprises a first coil element (9, 20) assigned to the rotor (4, 13), which essentially extends along a circular cylinder jacket surface arranged symmetrically about the axis of rotation (A), serves to generate a magnetic field and the air guiding element (3, 14) at least partially surrounds. drive unit after claim 3 , characterized in that the first coil element (9, 20) has a length in the axial direction which is approximately constant in the circumferential direction of the first coil element (9, 20), the first coil element comprising the rotor elements formed by the first group of vanes (24a). (24, 27) in such a way that they are located at least approximately in the center of the first coil element (9, 20) with respect to the axial direction. drive unit after claim 3 or 4 , characterized in that the first coil element (9, 20) comprises a wire wound in the circumferential direction, which is made of a material or material mixture having superconducting properties. Drive unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the current return elements are electrically conductive stator elements (25) of the stator (2) which extend in the radial direction. drive unit after claim 6 , characterized in that the air guiding element (3) is connected to the electrically conductive stator elements (25) extending in the radial direction. Drive unit (11) according to one of Claims 1 until 5 , characterized in that the current return elements (26) are formed by a second set of wings (25a) which are planar if it is arranged to be rotatable about the axis of rotation (A) and is designed as a second deflection device for driving the fluid surrounding the drive unit in a direction parallel to an axis of rotation (A). Drive unit (11) after claim 8 , characterized in that the second deflection devices have second deflection surfaces which are inclined and/or curved with respect to a plane running transversely to the axis of rotation (A). drive unit after claim 8 or 9 , characterized in that the magnetic field generating device comprises a second coil element (19) assigned to the second group of vanes (25), which essentially extends along a circular cylindrical outer surface arranged symmetrically about the axis of rotation (A) and is used to generate a magnetic field, the second The coil element (19) surrounds the air guiding element (13) at least in sections. drive unit after claim 10 , characterized in that the second coil element (19) has a length in the axial direction which is approximately constant in the circumferential direction of the second coil element (19), the first coil element having the current return elements (26) formed by the second group of vanes (25a) such surrounds that these are located at least approximately in the middle of the second coil element (19) with respect to the axial direction. drive unit after claim 10 or 11 , characterized in that the second coil element (19) comprises a wire wound in the circumferential direction, which is made of a material or material mixture having superconducting properties. Drive unit (1, 11) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rotor (4, 13) and/or the stator (2, 12) has a contact element (7, 18) for transmitting the electric fan current into a shaft has, wherein the contact element (7, 18) preferably comprises a slip ring and / or a contact brush and / or a plasma collector ring. Engine for an aircraft, comprising a drive unit (1, 11) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the wings (24a) designed as rotor elements (24, 27) are designed as vanes which are suitable for moving air in an axis of rotation (A ) parallel direction to generate a feed. Aircraft comprising an engine according to Claim 14 for generating the propulsion of the aircraft and/or a drive unit according to one of Claims 1 until 13 .

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