Rolls-Royce describes its use of Siemens Xcelerator portfolio tools to develop a prototype electrical propulsion system for a hybrid/electric aircraft.
Overview
In developing an electrical propulsion system for the City Airbus, Rolls-Royce set out to create a prototype for function, reliability and safety. The company faced three main challenges: the uncertainty of new development; the need for component performance to meet mission demands; and the ability to be adaptive and learn from mistakes. Siemens Xcelerator portfolio tools allowed Rolls-Royce to reduce costs, design more quickly and be adaptive to uncertainty, resulting in the development of a motor with record power density and torque density in record time. The company’s next step is deploying the technology developed on the prototype level toward product development, using the knowledge gained from its digital simulation campaign.
Key Takeaways
- Rolls-Royce developed a prototype electrical propulsion system with record power density and torque density in record time: 9 months, 19 days from project start to first run of prototype on test bench.
- Digital twins were created for individual components and the integrated propulsion system for optimization and verification prior to flight.
- The company made use of Siemens Xcelerator portfolio tools, including:
- Simcenter 3D design tool, for applying cooling media to their mechanical design and to apply currents and loads to test electromagnetic configuration;
- Simcenter Testlab, to feed real measurements into simulation tools and perform correlations;
- Teamcenter, to store designs and create configuration traceability;
- Polarion, which they used as an end-to-end tool in a cyclical process: capture requirements, develop designs from requirements, create design test cases, feed results of failed tests into change requests, update requirements/designs.
- Knowledge gained from the company’s digital simulation campaign will be used for product development.
Speaker
Olbrechts joined Siemens Digital Industries Software in 1996. Since 2000, Olbrechts has been responsible for Siemens simulation and test business development and go-to-market strategies for the aviation, space and defense industry segments.