Analysis of the application of distributed propulsion to the AOS H2 motor glider

The paper describes the selection of a distributed propulsion for the AOS H2 motor glider (selection of engines, their number, and propellers) and determination of its performance. This analysis is related to the research conducted on environment friendly and hybrid propulsions in various research centres. The main aim of the analyses conducted is to increase the performance of vehicles powered by electric motors. The batteries have a low density of energy, i.e. the ratio of mass to cumulated energy. Instead of a battery set, it is possible to apply a hybrid- electric system, where the combustion engine works as a generator or an electric-hydrogen generator, where the hydrogen cell supports a small set of batteries. One of such flying vehicles, fitting in this trend, is the AOS H2 motor glider built at the Rzeszow University of Technology in cooperation with other universities. It is a hybrid aircraft, equipped with a hydrogen cell, which together with a set of batteries is a source of electricity for the Emrax 268 electric motor. To increase the vehicle's performance (the range and flight duration), it is possible to use a distributed propulsion. This type of propulsion consists in placing many electric motors along the wingspan of the aircraft. Appropriate design of such a system (propeller diameters, engine power, number of engines) can improve the aerodynamic and performance parameters of the airframe. An analysis of the performance for the selected flight trajectory for this propulsion variant was conducted and compared to the performance of the AOS H2 motor glider equipped with traditional propulsion. The consumption of hydrogen was also determined for both systems. The results obtained were presented in the diagrams and discussed in the conclusions.