So, how about this LEAPTech stuff

[G+_Ben Reese]

So, how about this LEAPTech stuff... Instead of using one or two props on a plane, line the wings with smaller props and motors. The result is greater redundancy, better efficiency, and less noise.

 

[G+_Ben Reese]

It's surprising how much lift you can get with enough speed.

 

I'm not sure what the significance is of 18 motors unless that's just what they could realistically fit on the wing with the prop size they wanted. The idea is pretty cool of using different prop pitches to produce different sounds and a lower perceived noise.

 

As for the lightening, I don't think it is much more of a risk than modern aircraft. Many - if not most - require electronics to stay in the air, so this would probably be little added danger.

[G+_Ben Reese]

Now, I wonder if they can borrow from the auto industry and make it a hybrid complete with regenerative braking.

[G+_Fr. Robert Ballecer, SJ]

NASA knows their stuff... and I'm pretty sure their gear costs A LITTLE more than ours. :-D

 

However, at OUR level, bigger motors with bigger props are generally more efficient than many small motors with small props UNLESS you have a fantastically well-designed fluid computation model that can adjust each motor in real time to take advantage of "constructive turbulence"

 

Eventually, that kind of capability will be in our price range, but for now, bigger = more efficient, smaller = more acro. 

 

But dang... wouldn't that be awesome to have now? :)

[G+_610GARAGE]

Wayne Hobbins Lightning isn't really an issue for planes because they have aluminum skin. A plane is just a big faraday cage. 

 

I wonder if the increased efficiency is because you have a more even flow over the wing reducing drag. Also Having multiple small motors distributed over the entire wing vs a couple of huge heavy engines in a couple of spots would probably allow the wing to be designed a lot lighter. This would allow for a lighter airframe and more efficiency.

[G+_610GARAGE]

Wayne Hobbins Ya, I know what you mean. I'm kind of a worrywart myself. But electric motors don't care about emi (electromagnetic interference). There just big magnets. And the electronics that control the motors have to deal with the emi that the motors produce (electric motors are the worst on digital circuits). So, as an aspiring armchair electrical engineer :) I don't see a mid air lightning strike generating a large enough emf to fry the motor controllers. But I could be wrong. Lets hope they test it before the plane's maiden voyage. :)

[G+_Donald Weller]

I wonder what replacing all those propellers with Electric Ducted Fans would be like. I know ducted fans are more efficient.

 

[G+_Fr. Robert Ballecer, SJ]

Donald Weller It might actually work against what they're trying to do with the design. EDF's (and full-size aircraft engines for that matter) work by creating forward thrust. That forward thrust pushes a wing, which will then generate lift.

 

In this design, the engines are actually pushing the air over/under the airfoil which will generate lift even while the wing is stationary.

 

But... that's all theory... we won't know til we try... Now I just need to convince Lisa to let us buy 18 EDFs :)

[G+_Donald Weller]

Tell her its for science!

 

I have a hard time believing the turbulent air from the props is all that beneficial for generating lift... Have to ask my Northrop Grumman engineer friend....