SI2 Solar impulse-2

ByLalith K, Sonnakula 1

Content:

• Why solar impulse• Introduction• Design• Construction• Human challenges• Energy capture and storage• Structure and material• Conclusion

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Why an idea about Solar Impulse?..

• To fly around the world without fuel, this is the challenge Bertrand Piccard set himself following the first successful nonstop round-the-world balloon flight in 1999 with Brian Jones.

• The challenge for Bertrand Piccard was therefore to design a manned solar airplane capable of flying day and night.

• That’s when the real adventure began, immediately raising a host of questions: what shape will the plane have? Will solar panels be sufficient? How will it be able to fly at night?

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Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg

50 aeronautical engineers, physicists and technicians

80 technological partnersMain partners (Solvay, Omega,

Schindler )

100 advisers

and supplier

s

“Solar Impulse is the only airplane of perpetual endurance, able to fly day and night on solar power, without a drop of fuel.”

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Design:

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Construction begins!!..

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Human challenges:

• Living up in the sky, for days• Multi-purpose seat• Extreme temperatures• Focus & vigilance techniques• Diet & medicine• Real time flight monitoring• Most imp--- toilet facilities?

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• Flight training• Flight instruments• Tailor-made "autopilot"• Strategy, planning and forecasting• Telemetry & communications: lifeline to the ground

Piloting challenges:

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Energy capture and storage:• To succeed, the project must maximize aerodynamic performance and

optimize the energy chain. The 17248 monocrystalline silicon cells covering the wing and horizontal stabilizer, each 135 microns thick, were selected for their lightness, flexibility and output (22 %).

• This being the most critical phase of flight, the major constraint in the project is storing enough energy in the lithium polymer batteries, whose energy density is 240 Wh/kg. Situated in the four engine nacelles, these batteries weigh in total 400 kg, a quarter of the total weight of the aircraft.

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Structure and Materials:• Attaining a wingspan in excess of 63 m with a weight of only 1600 kg

represents a major first in the world of aviation, as regards robustness, lightness and maneuverability. Solar Impulse is built of composite materials, consisting of a carbon fiber-honeycomb sandwich structure. The upper wing surface is covered with a skin of embedded solar cells, and the undersides of the wings with a high-resistance flexible film. 120 carbon-fiber ribs placed at 50 cm intervals give the wing its aerodynamic profile as well as ensuring its rigidity.

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Conclusion

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« If an airplane has succeeded to fly day and night without fuel, then we can power our world on clean energy. »

Bertrand Piccard

Fueled by #vision and #creativity,

driven by  #passion"

Thank you 14

Questions:• Why does the Solar Impulse team choose to take an East to West path

during their around the world tour?

• What's the most eco-friendly airplane in the world?

• Which kind of solar cell device is being used in Solar Impulse aircrafts?

• What are the limits of the solar impulse?

• Why not make it a UAV, since the pilot could direct the flight from any

base?

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