AEROPAK Fuel Cell Propulsion System for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Horizon's brandstofcellen worden gebruikt om nieuwe hoogtes in luchtvaart te bereiken, meer specifiek - elektrisch aangedreven vliegtuigen, maken veel langere, stillere vluchten dankzij het unieke vermogen van Horizon' s fuel cell systemen betreffende de energiedichtheid. Hierdoor beduidend minder start/landingen per 24u cyclus.
Ondanks veel belangstelling is Horizon’s AEROPAK niet geschikt voor VTOLS*. Merendeel van (internationale / nationale) relaties werken discreet en vertrouwelijk en is het niet vreemd om te werken met geheimhoudingsverklaringen &/of uitgebreide screenings met internationale NDA’s. Informeer hiernaar.
The AEROPAK is a game-changing fuel cell power system that increases the flight
endurance of smaller and stealthier electric Unmanned Aerial Systems
(UAS),
making them more effective in persistent Intelligence,
Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions, a main focus area for
leading defense and security organizations around the world.
The AEROPAK combines Horizon's aerospace
grade fuel cell system with a proprietary chemical hydride fuel based
hydrogen generator system.
Effectively increasing the endurance by 300%
to 400% over advanced lithium batteries currently in use opens new
mission capabilities not previously possible for smaller UAS.
Systems Benefits:
Extended persistent surveillance capability
Silent, reliable power for stealthy operations
Longer range and extended area of operations
Ability to carry more payload
Faster deploy and re-launch with easy cartridge refill at reduced operation cost
Reduce soldiers’ logistics burden with improved portability
In addition to increasing flight endurance, the AEROPAK can power more power-hungry electronic devices onboard smaller aircraft
- such as electro-optical sensors, infrared cameras and laser
designators. It can also be used to power remote ground systems,
recharging stations and new generations of unmanned airships, or serve
as auxiliary electric power supplies for larger systems. The
miniaturized power system can be used as a drop-in replacement for
battery packs currently in service, eliminating costly airframe
modifications.
If you are a UAV manufacturer interested in
incorporating the AEROPAK technology into your aircraft, we strongly
recommend that you contact us.
Horizon can provide the AEROPAK in
different configurations depending on your specific mission needs.
Customizable options include power output level, electronic control
design, fuel cartridge geometry, system packaging and mounting.
Horizon can also adapt carbon-fiber reinforced gas tank as an
alternative fuel option on request.We welcome you to challenge us with
your specific UAV power and design requirements.
Horizon delivers the world’s most power dense fuel cell system at 1.5g/W, yet its design is surprisingly simple. Horizon’s system consists of a PEM fuel cell stack, cooling fans, and an electronic card integrated in a compact system casing. System reliability is increased since many mechanical parts and peripherals have been eliminated. As a result, Horizon’s fuel cell system is compact, ultra-lightweight, and extremely reliable. In addition to enabling such fuel cells, Horizon’s technology has also evolved towards integrating new types of high-energy dense fuel solutions that are practical to use and do not rely on compressed hydrogen.
Ultra-light PEM Fuel Cells:
A hydrogen Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) based fuel cell is a device which produces electricity via electrochemical reaction of fuel (hydrogen gas) and oxygen (air), with clean water and heat as the only by-product.
Horizon 200W PEMFC
The core component is called the single cell - a proton exchange catalyst coated membrane sandwiched between 2 electrodes. Hydrogen gas is fed into the anode electrode and breaks into proton and electron. As the membrane is only permeable by the positively charged hydrogen ion, the electron has to travel pass an external circuit, thus providing electricity. It then recombines with the proton and oxygen gas at the cathode electrode, producing water vapor. Layers of single cells can be connected in series with current conducting bipolar plates to create a fuel cell stack.
Fuel storage & supply options:
Unlike a battery which stores its chemical energy within the body, and has to be discarded or recharged when its energy depletes, one advantage of the fuel cell is the separation of the energy-carrying fuel and the power generating device. Extended runtime is thus possible: the fuel cell operates as long as fuel is supplied, fuel storage container can be hot-swappable to minimize downtime, and several fuel storage and supply options can be implemented:
Compressed gas cylinders: Carbon fiber reinforced composite cylinders are compact, lightweight, and can compress and store a large amount of hydrogen gas. Charging time is fast (less than 5 minutes for a 3.0L tank) and the only additional accessory required to integrate it with fuel cells is a gas pressure regulator. The drawback of this option is the need for hydrogen refilling infrastructure and additional safety precaution when transporting a high pressure (typically up to 300bar) full tank.
Metal hydride cartridges: Arguably one of the safest forms of hydrogen storage, metal hydride canisters store hydrogen at low pressure (~10bar). Hydrogen gas reacts with special metal alloys inside the canister to form metal hydrides, effectively storing hydrogen in solid lattices. Metal hydride canister is popular for its longevity (rechargeable for hundreds of cycles) and safety (low pressure charging and storage), but is relatively heavy and thus most suitable for stationary or portable applications.
Chemical hydride cartridges: Fuel of choice for AEROPAK, chemical hydrides in solid form offer indefinite shelf storage life. Incorporated inside Horizon’s hydrogen generator cartridge system, the chemical hydrides liberate hydrogen gas when water is added. The chemical hydride cartridge provides a low pressure, high energy density fuel option that is safe and convenient to store, transport, prepare and refill.
NEW! Horizon Hydrogen Generator System:
Horizon's hydrogen generator system is a device capable of producing pure hydrogen gas on-demand. When dry chemical hydride is mixed with water in the presence of a catalyst, it generates hydrogen gas which is then purified, regulated and channeled into the fuel cell system. Optimal gas production rate and quantity are electronically adjusted by the system controller, depending on the instantaneous needs of the fuel cell system at various operating points. The hydrogen generator system and chemical hydride fuel tank are compactly integrated into the AEROPAK fuel cartridge, resulting in a powerful complementing fuel supply for the AEROPAK. The cartridge is hot-swappable, allowing extended duration usage of the fuel cell power system while minimizing downtime.
HORIZON's AEROPAK fuel cell nu toegepast in onbemand vliegtuig bij Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) divisie Malat, type Birds Eye 650l. Zie voor meer info mailcampagne hier
Hieronder een aantal filmpjes in playlist van Horizon-TV
Download the "continuous loop" AEROPAK presentation with animations...just let it play and it will run you through the concepts...as used at AUVSI in Denver - aug 24-2 2010
Kijk voor meer informatie over het product AEROPAK voor UAV's, Unmanned Airial Vehicles (onbemande vliegtuigen) op de website van Horizon Energy Systems hier
juni 2011
Onbemand vliegtuig Sperwer uit de lucht
DEN HAAG - Defensie zal niet langer gebruik maken van de Sperwer, een onbemand vliegtuigje dat vooral in Afghanistan werd gebruikt om inlichtingen te vergaren. Dat meldde het ministerie donderdag.
De Sperwer gaat eruit omdat de exploitatiekosten te hoog zijn. Defensie gaat daarom onbemande vliegtuigjes van het type Scan Eagle aanschaffen. Nu zijn er al 25 draagbare systemen met elk drie vliegtuigjes van het type Raven aanwezig om de Sperwer te vervangen. Zie hier
Project "Unmanned Aircraft Systems Maintenance Valley"
In Maart'11 heeft de provincie Noord Brabant een persbericht (zie onder) uitgebracht, waarin de Pieken in de Delta (PID ZWNL) projecten worden genoemd die in aanmerking komen voor subsidie. Hieronder zit ook het UAS project waar Bluecomp - Horizon Fuel Cell Benelux deelnemer in is.
Wij verwachten dat dit proces via AgentschapNL toch wel enkele maanden in beslag kan nemen en geïnteresseerden kunnen zich bij ons opgeven.
Uit persbericht provincie Noord-Brabant:
6. Unmanned Aircraft Systems:
Kennis(infrastructuur) ontwikkelen en toepassen om onbemande vliegtuigjes betrouwbaarder en marktrijp te maken. Hoofdaanvrager: Dutch Institute World Class Maintenance .
Partners: 48 partners uit onderwijs, onderzoek- en bedrijfsleven in luchtvaart-, onderhoud- en oliesector.
Pieken in de Delta
Pieken in de Delta is een nationaal innovatieprogramma met als doel om samenwerking te stimuleren op het gebied van onderzoek, ontwikkeling en innovatie. De overheid financiert (maximaal de helft van de projectkosten; de betrokken bedrijven, onderzoeks- en onderwijsinstellingen de andere deel. Provincie Noord-Brabant neemt deel in twee ‘pieken’: Zuid-Oost Nederland en Zuid-West Nederland.
DECEMBER 2010: ELBIT SYSTEMS completes Skylark® I-LE UAS with new AEROPAK Skylark® I-LE is one of less than a handful of UAS to perform a fully operational test flight using the AEROPAK fuel cell, including an operational payload, take-off and recovery. Horizon Energy Systems announced the successful test flight of its AEROPAK fuel cell power system onboard Elbit Systems Skylark® I-LE UAS (Unmanned Aircraft System).
NOVEMBER 2010: Horizon Powers RUSSIA's 1st Hydrogen Fuel Cell Flight In a pioneering success by the P.I. Baranov Central Institute of Aviation Motors (CIAM) in Russia, the first hydrogen fuel cell powered CIAM-80 unmanned aircraft took off last week at a test flight facility near Moscow. According to the CIAM specialists, “although the test flight only lasted several minutes, it opened a new era in the evolution of aviation power-plants, reviving research which had been interrupted in the 1990s. In the long term, this type of innovation could double the efficiency of aviation engines while simultaneously eliminating harmful emissions.
OCTOBER 2010: AEROPAK sets new mini UAV endurance record in South Korea In a pioneering collaboration between HES (Singapore) and the Korean Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) in South Korea, the battery pack from a close-range RemoEye-600 UAV from UCON Systems was replaced with Horizon’s AEROPAK fuel cell power system. At the same total take-off weight, the EAV-1 flew three times its normal flight duration, setting a new unofficial flight record for mini-UAVs in South Korea.
AUGUST 2010: Horizon's AEROPAK equips IAI MALAT's BE650 mini-UAV "The Bird Eye 650 UAS already offers a high level of operational flexibility with the latest generation autonomous flight and mission capabilities. We put tremendous effort in researching ways to find a power source that can match this impeccable aircraft. We have now equipped it with AEROPAK, a state-of-the-art fuel cell system which will clearly make the Bird Eye 650 the best in its class," Alex Grinberg, R&D Director of UAS program at IAI MALAT Division.
Electric UAVs Jolt Performance June, 2011
Israeli manufacturers are ramping up development of small, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) powered by electric motors and, in at least one case, a hydrogen fuel cell. The UAVs are for tactical use and feature advanced payloads and data links, and cover a range of altitudes.
Horizon’s hydrogen fuel cell pack system for mini unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) could mean saved lives. Because the AEROPAK as the system is called, is capable of increasing the time and distance of UAV flights, they will be able to do more reconnaissance without returning to base. In military situations, that could mean saved lives.
The Exciting Potential of Fuel Cell-Powered UAVs January, 2011
The potential benefits afforded by fuel cell technologies are currently being explored across an array of military applications within the U.S. Department of Defense and other defense agencies around the world. At Pike Research, we're currently tracking developments across many applications including in-the-field battery charging, personal electronics, portable power generation, auxiliary power units, robotic exoskeletons, and medical EVAC support.
Horizon.s AEROPAK fuel cell proves itself on Skylark I-LE UAS test flight December, 2010
The latest test of Horizon Energy System's AEROPAK fuel cell power system has seen it fitted aboard an Elbit Systems Skylark I-LE UAS (Unmanned Aircraft System) and put through its paces. Although the AEROPAK has been put to the test in other UAS aircraft, the official test flight recently carried out in Israel marked the first time a fully operational system using the AEROPAK - including take-off and recovery with an operational payload integrated onboard - has been tested.
Horizon Fuel Cell Tested on Elbit Systems' Skylark I-LE Mini UAV December, 2010
Elbit Systems has tested the Aeropak fuel cell system with a Skylark I-LE mini-UAV. The suitability of the fuel cell as a power supply for UAVs was evaluated in the recent test was conducted in Israel, using an operationally configured system carrying full mission payload (comprising of a stabilized EO payload, avionics and communications datalink). According to Singapore based Horizon, the fuel-cell powered Skylark I-LE is expected to double the current endurance (around 3 hours), delivering 900Wh net usable energy per liter of fuel.
BirdEye 650LE Mini-UAV Uses Fuel Cell to Fly Six Hour Missions August, 2010
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has successfully integrated hydrogen proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell system extending the flight endurance of the Birdeye 650 mini UAV to 6 hours – more than doubling its endurance with lithium batteries. The fuel-cell equipped mini-UAV has been given the designation Birdeye 650 LE.
Horizon is on the fuel-cell frontier for UAVs August, 2010
Horizon Energy Systems of Singapore is beginning commercial sales of its AEROPAK hydrogen-fuel-cell power system that, it claims, can extend by up to 300% the flight duration of today’s battery-operated 5-10-kg-class mini unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). For years, Horizon says, UAV fuel-cell applications have been restricted to the domain of research in defense laboratories around the world.
AUVSI: Horizon launches Aeropak fuel cell power system August, 2010
Horizon Energy Systems (booth 2828) is at the show to launch commercial sales of its Aeropak hydrogen fuel cell power system, designed to bring a 300% flight duration improvement to today's battery-operated 5-10kg class mini-unmanned air vehicles (UAV).
AUVSI: Aeropak fuel cell technology boosts UAV endurance August, 2010
Horizon Energy Systems of Singapore has brought its production ready Aeropak fuel cell power system to AUVSI's Unmanned Systems North America. According to Jogjaman Jap, manager - international business development, the Aeropak can increase the endurance of mini UAVs by up to 300 percent.
Horizon launches first commercial hydrogen fuel cell system for unmanned aircraft August, 2010
Singapore-based Horizon Energy Systems has commenced commercial sales of its new AeropakTM hydrogen fuel cell power system, with shipments to several leading manufacturers of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The PEM fuel cell unit is designed to triple flight durations compared with current battery-operated mini-UAVs.
*Why no VTOLS in 2 words:
Power density is good in batteries but not so good in fuel cells, however energy density is not so good in batteries and very good in AEROPAK. VTOLS need lots of power in a small space, while other UAVs can live with less power since they have wings to lift them…VTOLS have no gliding capability so require a lot more power to take off.
Meaning that dis-/advantages of Wings over VTOLS is outside scope of designed purposes of Horizon’s AEROPAK.
The AEROPAK is a game-changing fuel cell power system that increases the flight
endurance of smaller and stealthier electric Unmanned Aerial Systems
(UAS), 
A hydrogen Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) based fuel cell is a device which produces electricity via electrochemical reaction of fuel (hydrogen gas) and oxygen (air), with clean water and heat as the only by-product.
Carbon fiber reinforced composite cylinders are compact, lightweight, and can compress and store a large amount of hydrogen gas. Charging time is fast (less than 5 minutes for a 3.0L tank) and the only additional accessory required to integrate it with fuel cells is a gas pressure regulator. The drawback of this option is the need for hydrogen refilling infrastructure and additional safety precaution when transporting a high pressure (typically up to 300bar) full tank.
Arguably one of the safest forms of hydrogen storage, metal hydride canisters store hydrogen at low pressure (~10bar). Hydrogen gas reacts with special metal alloys inside the canister to form metal hydrides, effectively storing hydrogen in solid lattices. Metal hydride canister is popular for its longevity (rechargeable for hundreds of cycles) and safety (low pressure charging and storage), but is relatively heavy and thus most suitable for stationary or portable applications.
Fuel of choice for AEROPAK, chemical hydrides in solid form offer indefinite shelf storage life. Incorporated inside Horizon’s hydrogen generator cartridge system, the chemical hydrides liberate hydrogen gas when water is added. The chemical hydride cartridge provides a low pressure, high energy density fuel option that is safe and convenient to store, transport, prepare and refill. 
Electric UAVs Jolt Performance