clearly, a gas turbine can only produce as much thrust in terms of energy as is contained in the kerosine it consumes.
if, alternatively, electric energy was used: 1- if electric energy 'was' abundantly available, how would a set of electromotors generate thrust if they had no compression chambers? how would you simulate such a device for electric engines? 2- How heavy would this device + the engines need to be as a rough estimate (see sample settings at the end) ? 3- what would need to be the charge density of the battries used if, by weight, they had to remain within 200% of the weight of kerosine? Let's say this would be for a one hour trip, 2,500 gallons, and the thrust produced would be 10K pounds. please adjust numbers if they seem off to you. Thank you.
2006-08-29 09:55:36 · 7 answers · asked by blashgari@sbcglobal.net 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
take a look at gliders, they don't need any engines. you can proably design a light engine on one, powered by whatever, to give you some minimal thrust, and maneuverability
2006-08-29 10:03:51 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi. A solar powered plane has already flown. The problem with electric power is storage of that power. Not very practical as of now. Some of the newer ways to store power (say, hydrogen in lithium doped C-60 buckyballs) could be used as half of a fuel cell to produce electric power. Thrust would almost certainly have to be propeller based, at least in the atmosphere.
2006-08-29 10:03:19 · answer #2 · answered by Cirric 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NASA has a very big, funny looking plane powered by nothing but solar cells and batteries. It is called the Helios. It cannot carry persons or substantial cargo other than atmospheric instruments, but it does fly on only electricity from solar power alone. It stays up for months at a time flying in the day from solar cells and at night from batteries charged during the day.
2006-08-29 11:07:50 · answer #3 · answered by quntmphys238 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
At this point, it probably can be done but is utterly impractical.
The amount of KW/h needed to fly any sort of electric plane is too great as the batteries that would fuel them would make the power that was generated negligible compared to the weight of the vehicle.
2006-08-29 10:02:44 · answer #4 · answered by victorb81 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I couldn't understand a word after your question ! All I know is you'd need a bloody long cable, and think of the BILL...ohhh.!
2006-08-29 10:03:51 · answer #5 · answered by voddybabe 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only with a really long extension cord.
2006-08-29 11:00:10 · answer #6 · answered by stevewbcanada 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, and without using the sun.
2006-08-29 10:27:43 · answer #7 · answered by NTH IQ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋