Design & SimulationJuly 15, 2024

The Rise of VoltAero’s Hybrid Electrical Aircraft and the Power of VR Technology

The aerospace field is witnessing the unveiling of a groundbreaking project at the Paris Air Show, introduced by the team at Voltero.
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Avatar Yves Barbier

The aerospace field is witnessing the unveiling of a groundbreaking project at the Paris Air Show, introduced by the team at VoltAero. With 15 years of experience in the industry, the latest endeavor involves the creation of a hybrid electrical aircraft, a fusion of parallel power plants with both reciprocating and electrical engines. This innovative aircraft is intricately powered by a high-voltage network and equipped with 18 modules of High Voltage batterie, approximately equivalent of 250 kg of lithium batteries.

Introducing Aerospace Innovator Julien Gervais

An esteemed tenure of nearly 15 years is attributed to Julien Gervais’s work in the aerospace field, demonstrating a seasoned career with significant industry experience. His expertise has further been honed over the last three years at VoltAero, where innovative projects are a testament to his contributions. Recently, attention has been captivated by his presence at the Paris Air Show, where an exciting project was unveiled to the public eye.

This project marks a noteworthy venture into hybrid electrical aircraft design, incorporating both reciprocating and electrical engines. It showcases a high-voltage network and is powered by an impressive array approximately equivalent of 250 kg of lithium batteries, coupled with state-of-the-art avionics. These advancements, however, bring forth challenges, particularly in the realms of certification and the optimization of system integration.

VoltAero’s Hybrid Aircraft Project Challenges

The development of VoltAero’s hybrid electrical aircraft presents a multitude of challenges. The project involves integrating parallel power plants that combine reciprocating and electrical engines within a high-voltage network, powered by approximately equivalent of 250kg lithium batteries. This amalgamation of complex components demands meticulous attention to the integration system to ensure seamless operation between the disparate elements.

The avionic advances incorporated necessitate rigorous processes for certification, as the inclusion of novel technologies introduces additional hurdles in meeting industry standards. The task of certification is compounded by the need for a sophisticated integration system that allows these advanced technologies to function cohesively

Streamlining Configuration Management in Aerospace Projects

In the rapidly evolving aerospace industry, the integration of various technologies into aircraft design presents considerable challenges, particularly in configuration management. One such integrated solution that stands out is the utilization of platforms like Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE. This platform is instrumental in segregating different projects within a single tool, thereby greatly enhancing efficiency.

The segregation is meticulously maintained for each project, ensuring that all employees at VoltAero have a centralized and streamlined process for managing configurations. This approach is not limited to internal operations; suppliers such as Tesi and Novotech also employ the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, further facilitating collaboration across the supply chain. This integrated solution is pivotal for managing part numbers and for maintaining clear distinctions between concurrent aerospace projects.


Conclusion

In conclusion, the integration of cutting-edge technologies into the aerospace industry is demonstrated through the development of a hybrid electrical aircraft, which incorporates a blend of reciprocating and electrical engines powered by a high-voltage network and multiple lithium batteries. Advanced tools such as CATIA and the 3DEXPERIENCE collaborative platform are employed to facilitate the intricate process of certification and to ensure optimal system integration.

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