Ricardo and Greenjets celebrate eVTOL propulsion milestone

This design, notable for its scalability and efficiency, is aimed at cutting operational costs and represents the outcome of an 18-month collaboration involving design engineers, electrification experts, and project engineers. This team effort resulted in a custom, immersion-cooled, ultra-high-performance battery composed of 32 interconnected modules. Beyond designing and constructing the integrated module, Ricardo was also tasked with developing the comprehensive thermal management system, enhancing safety features from the very beginning of the design process.

Matt Beasley, Director of Global Engineering and Operations at Ricardo, expressed his enthusiasm: “We’re delighted to have supported Greenjets on this innovative design and build system that will deliver future sustainable electric propulsion in the aerospace industry. Our engineers have designed, developed, and built a system that is fully scalable which also enables different combinations of the same module to power multiple aircraft concepts, from large drones, electric vertical take-off and landing applications, general aviation aircraft and sub-regional aircraft. The system is versatile and can be 100% battery or fuel cell hybrid powered.”

He further highlighted the broader impact of Ricardo's engineering prowess: “Our engineering expertise within the automotive industry is now enabling us to deliver innovative, sustainable projects in the aerospace and maritime industries, including in the design and development of future sustainable propulsion systems. It’s an exciting time to be involved in these types of projects in support of future decarbonisation across mobility.”

Anmol Manohar, CEO of Greenjets, remarked on the fruitful collaboration: "The architecture of our largest engine, the IPM500, has benefited greatly from our collaboration with Ricardo. With Ricardo's one-of-a-kind battery pack integrated into the nacelle of our engine, we make vital savings in efficiency and weight along with close integration with the rest of the powertrain. It also improves safety by moving significant battery weight away from the fuselage. Ricardo has been an incredible partner on our development programme, and we look forward to leveraging their battery and thermal management expertise in the upcoming ground and wind tunnel test campaigns."

InCEPTion distinguishes itself by incorporating a 20kWh battery pack within a tightly constrained toroidal shape, contributing structurally to the propulsion system with shared cooling and structural components, a testament to the intricate and complex nature of its design. The module, characterised by its lightweight, power-dense composite make-up, supports rapid charging. Its advanced design employs a 360° orientation, with bonded composites and a foam structure for weight reduction.

Greenjets is now setting its sights on conducting ground and wind tunnel testing as steps toward eventual integration into an engine, aiming for future commercial aircraft application.