Hybrid Arcus

[[email protected]]

Borrowing the hybrid technology from the automotive industry, a hybrid system has been developed and succesfully tested on an Arcus.

Energy is stored in a high capacity battery bank during thermalling and during cruise when lift is encountered below the current McCready setting. This energy is then used to extend the best L/D by almost 41%.

The system uses a 4.1KW brushless motor paired with an 14" fixed pitch prop that is mounted to the front of the arcus using the nose tow release as a hard point. As such, no modifications to the structure are required. Wiring to the motor are simply routed around the nose release back to the battery and the controller system.

Pictures of the installed system are at:

http://daziv.com/arcus/img_5333.jpg

http://daziv.com/arcus/img_5335.jpg

The computer controller is designed to optimize automatically the transition from regenerative energy storage to additional thrust production. The pilot can over-ride the system and use any stored energy available in a manner similar to a sustainer if needed.

A crowdfunding effort will be conducted today only so that this system can be developed for all other gliders. The current price target for the system is approximately $4,100 USD.

[[email protected]]

On Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at 6:38:56 AM UTC-4, wrote:
> Borrowing the hybrid technology from the automotive industry, a hybrid system has been developed and succesfully tested on an Arcus.
>
> Energy is stored in a high capacity battery bank during thermalling and during cruise when lift is encountered below the current McCready setting. This energy is then used to extend the best L/D by almost 41%.
>
> The system uses a 4.1KW brushless motor paired with an 14" fixed pitch prop that is mounted to the front of the arcus using the nose tow release as a hard point. As such, no modifications to the structure are required. Wiring to the motor are simply routed around the nose release back to the battery and the controller system.
>
> Pictures of the installed system are at:
>
> http://daziv.com/arcus/img_5333.jpg
>
> http://daziv.com/arcus/img_5335.jpg
>
> The computer controller is designed to optimize automatically the transition from regenerative energy storage to additional thrust production. The pilot can over-ride the system and use any stored energy available in a manner similar to a sustainer if needed.
>
> A crowdfunding effort will be conducted today only so that this system can be developed for all other gliders. The current price target for the system is approximately $4,100 USD.

Hello,

I think it is definitely a very interesting proposition for increasing efficiency in cross country flying. However, where do you see your "niche" with this system? I don't think that competitions (regular or OLC) would allow this in sailplanes. I could definitely see a UAV system that might be interested in this sort of technology!

Best,
Daniel

[[email protected]]

On Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at 6:55:33 AM UTC-4, wrote:
> On Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at 6:38:56 AM UTC-4, wrote:
> > Borrowing the hybrid technology from the automotive industry, a hybrid system has been developed and succesfully tested on an Arcus.
> >
> > Energy is stored in a high capacity battery bank during thermalling and during cruise when lift is encountered below the current McCready setting. This energy is then used to extend the best L/D by almost 41%.
> >
> > The system uses a 4.1KW brushless motor paired with an 14" fixed pitch prop that is mounted to the front of the arcus using the nose tow release as a hard point. As such, no modifications to the structure are required. Wiring to the motor are simply routed around the nose release back to the battery and the controller system.
> >
> > Pictures of the installed system are at:
> >
> > http://daziv.com/arcus/img_5333.jpg
> >
> > http://daziv.com/arcus/img_5335.jpg
> >
> > The computer controller is designed to optimize automatically the transition from regenerative energy storage to additional thrust production. The pilot can over-ride the system and use any stored energy available in a manner similar to a sustainer if needed.
> >
> > A crowdfunding effort will be conducted today only so that this system can be developed for all other gliders. The current price target for the system is approximately $4,100 USD.
>
> Hello,
>
> I think it is definitely a very interesting proposition for increasing efficiency in cross country flying. However, where do you see your "niche" with this system? I don't think that competitions (regular or OLC) would allow this in sailplanes. I could definitely see a UAV system that might be interested in this sort of technology!
>
> Best,
> Daniel

April 1st Daniel

[[email protected]]

On Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at 6:55:33 AM UTC-4, wrote:
> On Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at 6:38:56 AM UTC-4, wrote:
> > Borrowing the hybrid technology from the automotive industry, a hybrid system has been developed and succesfully tested on an Arcus.
> >
> > Energy is stored in a high capacity battery bank during thermalling and during cruise when lift is encountered below the current McCready setting. This energy is then used to extend the best L/D by almost 41%.
> >
> > The system uses a 4.1KW brushless motor paired with an 14" fixed pitch prop that is mounted to the front of the arcus using the nose tow release as a hard point. As such, no modifications to the structure are required. Wiring to the motor are simply routed around the nose release back to the battery and the controller system.
> >
> > Pictures of the installed system are at:
> >
> > http://daziv.com/arcus/img_5333.jpg
> >
> > http://daziv.com/arcus/img_5335.jpg
> >
> > The computer controller is designed to optimize automatically the transition from regenerative energy storage to additional thrust production. The pilot can over-ride the system and use any stored energy available in a manner similar to a sustainer if needed.
> >
> > A crowdfunding effort will be conducted today only so that this system can be developed for all other gliders. The current price target for the system is approximately $4,100 USD.
>
> Hello,
>
> I think it is definitely a very interesting proposition for increasing efficiency in cross country flying. However, where do you see your "niche" with this system? I don't think that competitions (regular or OLC) would allow this in sailplanes. I could definitely see a UAV system that might be interested in this sort of technology!
>
> Best,
> Daniel

-_-

Isn't a bad idea though!

Best,
Daniel

[Steve Leonard[_2_]]

On Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at 6:07:50 AM UTC-5, wrote:
> On Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at 6:55:33 AM UTC-4, wrote:
> > On Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at 6:38:56 AM UTC-4, wrote:
> > > Borrowing the hybrid technology from the automotive industry, a hybrid system has been developed and succesfully tested on an Arcus.
> > >
> > > Energy is stored in a high capacity battery bank during thermalling and during cruise when lift is encountered below the current McCready setting. This energy is then used to extend the best L/D by almost 41%.
> > >
> > > The system uses a 4.1KW brushless motor paired with an 14" fixed pitch prop that is mounted to the front of the arcus using the nose tow release as a hard point. As such, no modifications to the structure are required. Wiring to the motor are simply routed around the nose release back to the battery and the controller system.
> > >
> > > Pictures of the installed system are at:
> > >
> > > http://daziv.com/arcus/img_5333.jpg
> > >
> > > http://daziv.com/arcus/img_5335.jpg
> > >
> > > The computer controller is designed to optimize automatically the transition from regenerative energy storage to additional thrust production. The pilot can over-ride the system and use any stored energy available in a manner similar to a sustainer if needed.
> > >
> > > A crowdfunding effort will be conducted today only so that this system can be developed for all other gliders. The current price target for the system is approximately $4,100 USD.

The really great idea for getting high and staying high will be announced on April 20th. I bet it will cost $420.

[Dan Marotta]

<snip>

The really great idea for getting high and staying high will be announced on April 20th.

<snip>

Will that require eating brownies, Steve, or smoking something?

And what about us folks who don't have nose hooks? If I mount that
thing under the fuselage right in front of the wheel can I take off
vertically?

On 4/1/2015 8:03 AM, Steve Leonard wrote:
> On Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at 6:07:50 AM UTC-5, wrote:
>> On Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at 6:55:33 AM UTC-4, wrote:
>>> On Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at 6:38:56 AM UTC-4, wrote:
>>>> Borrowing the hybrid technology from the automotive industry, a hybrid system has been developed and succesfully tested on an Arcus.
>>>>
>>>> Energy is stored in a high capacity battery bank during thermalling and during cruise when lift is encountered below the current McCready setting. This energy is then used to extend the best L/D by almost 41%.
>>>>
>>>> The system uses a 4.1KW brushless motor paired with an 14" fixed pitch prop that is mounted to the front of the arcus using the nose tow release as a hard point. As such, no modifications to the structure are required. Wiring to the motor are simply routed around the nose release back to the battery and the controller system.
>>>>
>>>> Pictures of the installed system are at:
>>>>
>>>> http://daziv.com/arcus/img_5333.jpg
>>>>
>>>> http://daziv.com/arcus/img_5335.jpg
>>>>
>>>> The computer controller is designed to optimize automatically the transition from regenerative energy storage to additional thrust production. The pilot can over-ride the system and use any stored energy available in a manner similar to a sustainer if needed.
>>>>
>>>> A crowdfunding effort will be conducted today only so that this system can be developed for all other gliders. The current price target for the system is approximately $4,100 USD.
> The really great idea for getting high and staying high will be announced on April 20th. I bet it will cost $420.

--
Dan Marotta

[ND]

On Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at 10:03:24 AM UTC-4, Steve Leonard wrote:
> On Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at 6:07:50 AM UTC-5, wrote:
> > On Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at 6:55:33 AM UTC-4, wrote:
> > > On Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at 6:38:56 AM UTC-4, wrote:
> > > > Borrowing the hybrid technology from the automotive industry, a hybrid system has been developed and succesfully tested on an Arcus.
> > > >
> > > > Energy is stored in a high capacity battery bank during thermalling and during cruise when lift is encountered below the current McCready setting. This energy is then used to extend the best L/D by almost 41%.
> > > >
> > > > The system uses a 4.1KW brushless motor paired with an 14" fixed pitch prop that is mounted to the front of the arcus using the nose tow release as a hard point. As such, no modifications to the structure are required. Wiring to the motor are simply routed around the nose release back to the battery and the controller system.
> > > >
> > > > Pictures of the installed system are at:
> > > >
> > > > http://daziv.com/arcus/img_5333.jpg
> > > >
> > > > http://daziv.com/arcus/img_5335.jpg
> > > >
> > > > The computer controller is designed to optimize automatically the transition from regenerative energy storage to additional thrust production. The pilot can over-ride the system and use any stored energy available in a manner similar to a sustainer if needed.
> > > >
> > > > A crowdfunding effort will be conducted today only so that this system can be developed for all other gliders. The current price target for the system is approximately $4,100 USD.
>
> The really great idea for getting high and staying high will be announced on April 20th. I bet it will cost $420.

Bahaha

[Bruce Hoult]

On Thursday, April 2, 2015 at 12:46:40 AM UTC+13, wrote:
> On Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at 6:55:33 AM UTC-4, wrote:
> > On Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at 6:38:56 AM UTC-4, wrote:
> > > Borrowing the hybrid technology from the automotive industry, a hybrid system has been developed and succesfully tested on an Arcus.
> > >
> > > Energy is stored in a high capacity battery bank during thermalling and during cruise when lift is encountered below the current McCready setting. This energy is then used to extend the best L/D by almost 41%.
> > >
> > > The system uses a 4.1KW brushless motor paired with an 14" fixed pitch prop that is mounted to the front of the arcus using the nose tow release as a hard point. As such, no modifications to the structure are required. Wiring to the motor are simply routed around the nose release back to the battery and the controller system.
> > >
> > > Pictures of the installed system are at:
> > >
> > > http://daziv.com/arcus/img_5333.jpg
> > >
> > > http://daziv.com/arcus/img_5335.jpg
> > >
> > > The computer controller is designed to optimize automatically the transition from regenerative energy storage to additional thrust production. The pilot can over-ride the system and use any stored energy available in a manner similar to a sustainer if needed.
> > >
> > > A crowdfunding effort will be conducted today only so that this system can be developed for all other gliders. The current price target for the system is approximately $4,100 USD.
> >
> > Hello,
> >
> > I think it is definitely a very interesting proposition for increasing efficiency in cross country flying. However, where do you see your "niche" with this system? I don't think that competitions (regular or OLC) would allow this in sailplanes. I could definitely see a UAV system that might be interested in this sort of technology!
> >
> > Best,
> > Daniel
>
> -_-
>
> Isn't a bad idea though!

Not really.

The most efficient energy storage & release system for a sailplane is always going to be taking the energy as moar altitude. This would only be useful when there are huge gaps you can't cross at best L/D, but you don't mind wasting half an hour circling at cloudbase charging the battery.

Also, a fixed pitch prop (as listed) isn't going to do the job anyway. Gonna want different pitch for harvesting vs sustainer mode, not to mention feathered/folded when not in use.

[Jim[_31_]]

Karl, To save money and time you can match them with replacements from:
Bansbach Easylift of North America, Inc.
50 West Drive
Melbourne, FL 32904
Tel (321) 253-1999
Fax (321) 253-5546

www.easylift.com

You need to know the force, length open and closed. Also tell them the type of end connectors (eyelet, etc.).

-PC

[[email protected]]

I saw this Arcus in person. It does have a prop on the front.

[son_of_flubber]

This approach is cleaner

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpluCYve9qw&t=5m32s

[Bill D]

On Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at 2:33:12 PM UTC-6, son_of_flubber wrote:
> This approach is cleaner
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpluCYve9qw&t=5m32s

OK, with full recognition that it's April 1st, an electric ducted fan has some advantages for self-launch in that ~60 knots is right in the middle of the "sweet spot". It could beat any open prop's thrust/Watt ratio at that speed.

[son_of_flubber]

On Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at 5:47:39 PM UTC-4, Bill D wrote:
> On Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at 2:33:12 PM UTC-6, son_of_flubber wrote:
> > This approach is cleaner
> >
> > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpluCYve9qw&t=5m32s
>
> OK, with full recognition that it's April 1st, an electric ducted fan has some advantages for self-launch in that ~60 knots is right in the middle of the "sweet spot". It could beat any open prop's thrust/Watt ratio at that speed.

I think the best use for this toy would be as a single-use emergency sustainer. It develops 5.5 kg maximum thrust, 12 lbs of thrust... say 10 lbs for hand waving ease.

So an 800 lb gross weight glider with L/D 40:1 requires 20 lbs of thrust to sustain altitude. Add one of these 'toy' engines for 10 lbs of thrust would in turn give the glider an equivalent L/D of 80:1 while the turbo was running. Run it intermittently while flying between thermals. Turn it off and let it cool while you climb in the thermal. Add 2 turbos for redundancy. Run both and you have an intermittent use sustainer. It pushes on the airframe with a force of 10-20 pounds.

Power from Duracells Alkaline batteries. Cheap. High energy density and a long shelf life.

[[email protected]]

mmmm power is the typical EDF high perf setup of 12s 5000 Lipos. Full throttle time is ..not much. Overall 3 to 5min with throttle management. 30 sec max at full. Therein is the problem for full size. Full throttle for anything more than 30 seconds will kill those batts. I think this was a Shuebeler fan which is nice fan though.