E-Genius
Encyclopedia
The e-Genius is a manned electric airplane, which was developed by the Institute of Aircraft Design at the University of Stuttgart
. The maiden flight took place on May 25, 2011.
The power capabilities of a modern electric propulsion system based on batteries are to be demonstrated with the e-Genius. In addition, Eric Scott Raymond
and his team will participate in the Green Flight Challenge of the Comparative Aircraft Flight Efficiency (CAFE) in the summer of 2011 in California, USA with this aircraft. The Green Flight Challenge is part of the Centennial Challenges
, competition prize contests for non-government-funded technological achievements. The Green Flight Challenge has been endowed by NASA with price money of $1,650,000.
The goal of the competition is to find an aircraft, which can fly a minimum range of about 200 miles at a minimum speed of 100 mph while using less than 200mpg and seat. On May 25, 2011, e-Genius successfully completed the first flight on the airfield in Mindelheim-Mattsies, Germany. On June 15 e-Genius made a flight over 211 miles and an avarerage speed of more than 100 mph.
The propulsion is realized by a permanent magnet synchronous motor with an electrical driven variable pitch propeller. The diameter of this tractor configured propeller is 7.3 ft.
The electric motor was designed and manufactured especially for the e-Genius by the Slovenian company Sineton. The motor has a maximum continuous power of about 58 kW and a peak performance up to 100 kW at a weight of just 59 lb. The electric motor is integrated in the vertical tail of the e-Genius. Directly behind the pilots in the centre of gravity the four lithium ion battery packs are integrated into the fuselage. The total capacity of this battery system is about 56 kWh.
University of Stuttgart
The University of Stuttgart is a university located in Stuttgart, Germany. It was founded in 1829 and is organized in 10 faculties....
. The maiden flight took place on May 25, 2011.
Development
The e-Genius follows a line of airplanes with alternative propulsion systems, which have been developed at the Institute of Aircraft Design: the solar-motor glider Icaré II (1996) and the predecessor of the e-Genius, the motor glider with a fuel cell propulsion system – Hydrogenius (2006). Both have been awarded with the Berblinger-Price of the City of Ulm, Germany.The power capabilities of a modern electric propulsion system based on batteries are to be demonstrated with the e-Genius. In addition, Eric Scott Raymond
Eric Scott Raymond
Eric Raymond is a Certified Flight Instructor, Glider pilot, hang gliding pilot and Designer of Solar powered Aircraft. University education in Photography and Aerospace engineering...
and his team will participate in the Green Flight Challenge of the Comparative Aircraft Flight Efficiency (CAFE) in the summer of 2011 in California, USA with this aircraft. The Green Flight Challenge is part of the Centennial Challenges
Centennial Challenges
The Centennial Challenges are NASA space competition prize contests for non-government-funded technological achievements by American teams.-Current Challenges:...
, competition prize contests for non-government-funded technological achievements. The Green Flight Challenge has been endowed by NASA with price money of $1,650,000.
The goal of the competition is to find an aircraft, which can fly a minimum range of about 200 miles at a minimum speed of 100 mph while using less than 200mpg and seat. On May 25, 2011, e-Genius successfully completed the first flight on the airfield in Mindelheim-Mattsies, Germany. On June 15 e-Genius made a flight over 211 miles and an avarerage speed of more than 100 mph.
Design
The e-Genius is a two seated high wing configuration aircraft completely manufactured of fibre composites and equipped with a retractable landing gear. The seat configuration is side-by-side.The propulsion is realized by a permanent magnet synchronous motor with an electrical driven variable pitch propeller. The diameter of this tractor configured propeller is 7.3 ft.
The electric motor was designed and manufactured especially for the e-Genius by the Slovenian company Sineton. The motor has a maximum continuous power of about 58 kW and a peak performance up to 100 kW at a weight of just 59 lb. The electric motor is integrated in the vertical tail of the e-Genius. Directly behind the pilots in the centre of gravity the four lithium ion battery packs are integrated into the fuselage. The total capacity of this battery system is about 56 kWh.