X-57 Mod 2 Motor Thermal Analysis

Abstract

This work covers the refinement of thermal models from design estimates to actual fabricated performance. Matching the experimental data of the first fully electrified version of the X-57 Maxwell experimental vehicle requires high fidelity thermal analysis to sufficiently capture the electric motor and inverter temperature profiles. Qualification test data of the motors and inverters is used to validate finite element analysis models used to simulate thermal performance over mission transients. An additional thermal-hydraulic models is used to estimate flow characteristics through the propulsor nacelle and component heat sinks. After calibration of the higher order models, overall component sizing and peak temperature constraints can be distilled to reduced order models, to improve modelflexibility and utility.