Report
Teaser, summary, work performed and final results
Periodic Reporting for period 1 - NGCTR DIGIFuel (Distribution and Gauging Interconnected Fuel System for the Next Generation Civil Tilt Rotor)
Teaser
The objectives of this project are both scientific/technological and industrial regarding competitiveness.With reference to the technical aspects, DIGIFuel aims at achieving the following objectives:- studying, designing, developing, manufacturing, testing and qualifying a...
Summary
The objectives of this project are both scientific/technological and industrial regarding competitiveness.
With reference to the technical aspects, DIGIFuel aims at achieving the following objectives:
- studying, designing, developing, manufacturing, testing and qualifying a flight-cleared fuel distribution and gauging system for the demonstrator vehicle;
- identifying and experimenting an innovative fuel system architecture;
- maximizing the reliability of the engine feed function;
- pioneering the use of intelligent transfer pumps and innovative level sensors;
- removing the risk of explosion by introducing a gauging system which will feature only optical cables with electrical power inserted inside the tanks only via power-on-fiber;
- validating the functionality of the fuel system;
and, through the achievement of the previous goals, reaching a mature definition of the Fuel System and its components, which might stand out as a benchmark for future aircrafts.
Work performed
As regards Work Package 1 (program and risk management), periodic reviews have been performed between DIGIFuel and Leonardo Helicopters as well as Joint Meetings the partners working on the project (T-WING, DEFENDER) in order to enhance the co-operation between parties and help the proceeding of the activities.
The Trade-Off studies (Work Package 2) resulting from joining work between the technical team of SM and LHD have led to the release of the technical documentation included in the Deliverable D2.1.
The detailed Trade-Off studies carried out by DIGIFuel are as follows:
- definition of the fuel system final layout;
- definition of the corresponding parts list;
- fuel pump smart controls studies;
- fuel gauging and sensing technology studies involving optical fiber sensors and power-over-fiber solutions;
- a preliminary system safety analysis.
A preliminary design of Technology Demonstrator gauging and distribution sub-system with optical fiber (partially Work Package 3, and Work Package 4 for Partner PoliMi) also started during the first reporting period.
Final results
NGCTR DIGIFuel will be carried out following the standard path of typical aeronautical system development programmes.
It is worth to recall, in this regards, that the main target of the whole project actually consists in the supply of qualified, flyable hardware: a complete working fuel system and not just isolate development units.
The engineering design life cycle of the fuel system to be developed will undergo documented, comprehensive, systematic examinations of the design to evaluate the adequacy of the design requirements, to evaluate the capability of the design to meet these requirements, and to identify problems.
It should be made clear that the technical effort of this project focuses on the development of an innovative system configuration itself, and on reaching the demonstration of the advantages that the innovative features introduced in the dedicated components yield to it.