Aeronautics

Aeronautics
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The design of innovative flight control and aircraft on-board systems is the focus of aviation research at the Institute. The aim is to reduce weight by actively reducing aircraft structural loads and improving the (semi-)autonomous operation of manned and unmanned aircraft. Aircraft energy systems are also being further developed, evaluated and optimised to reduce fuel consumption.

Projects in Focus:

oLAF

In the oLAF (optimal load-adaptive aircraft) project, the German Aerospace Center is investigating the potential of active load alleviation on long-range transport aircraft.

Flutter suppression

An international team of researchers, including scientists from the DLR Institute of System Dynamics and Control, has developed a control system that suppresses flutter of the aircraft structure. The researchers successfully demonstrated this in a flight campaign with a specially designed and constructed Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV).

Thermal management

The modelling of complex thermal architectures is necessary for the optimisation and control of air conditioning systems in aircraft as well as in electric vehicles and buildings. This involves the ideal distribution of mass flows and the optimal utilisation of phase transitions for heat transfer. Based on these models, new technologies can be analysed and algorithms for optimal control can be developed.

EU Project TheMa4HERA

Thermal management plays a particularly important role with regard to the electrification of aircraft engines. A relatively large amount of heat must be dissipated at a low temperature difference and the usual systems for pressurisation and air conditioning must also be electrified.

OFELIA

The electrification of aircraft engines goes hand in hand with the electrification of aircraft on-board systems. This affects the actuators of the control surfaces, the de-icing system and the aircraft air conditioning system in equal measure. This development poses new challenges for the on-board electrical system and requires intelligent energy management to minimise peak loads.

LuFo VI-1 MODULAR

In cooperation with Liebherr Aerospace, the Institute of System Dynamics and Control is researching torque-based flight control and its integration into the overall dynamics of flexible aircraft.

AMBER

Hybrid-electric flight is a possible future type of propulsion, which offers good prospects for the future, especially with SAF or hydrogen. The aim is to combine the advantages of both electric motors and gas turbines.

SkaiB

The control of thermal systems is being investigated in SkaiB by the Institute. To this end, controller structures are evaluated and the control is tested on hardware test rigs in preparation for flight tests. The cooling system of the fuel cell is a particular focus here.

Contact

Dr.ir. Gertjan Looye

Head of Department
German Aerospace Center (DLR)
Institute of System Dynamics and Control
Aircraft system dynamics
Münchener Straße 20, 82234 Oberpfaffenhofen-Wessling