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drop in hydrogen fuel cell for UAV's. 300 times more powerful than lithium ion!

Posted by brett binnekade on February 20, 2010 at 6:47am
was browsing the net today and came across this!

WOW i think its amazing what horizon has done!

take a look at the stuff on the their site too. amazing!



Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies latest hydrogen fuel cell release is designed as a drop-in replacement for battery packs used in small electric Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). Weighing 4.4lbs (2kg) and storing 900Wh of usable electric energy, the Aeropak can to increase flight endurance by up to 300% over lithium batteries, meaning longer range missions and more energy to run on-board cameras and sensors.

Designed for high-impact and able to operate at up to 22,000 feet (6700m), this miniaturized power system uses refillable dry-fuel cartridges and is scalable (up to "several kilowatts") and customizable to suit different unmanned platforms. The drop-in design should also make modifications unnecessary.

Apart from enabling flights to go further and last longer and the ability to run more power-hungry devices, the Aeropak offers a very low heat signature and and silent, reliable power. Other applications are likely to include powering remote ground systems and as emergency power back-up for larger systems.

Perhaps best known to Gizmag for the fuel-cell powered H-Racer RC car and for its involvement in the radical Hyfish jet-wing aircraft project in 2007 Horizon supplied a hydrogen fuel cell that helped the Pterosoar micro-UAV set new distance records for aircraft of its type.

AeroVironment has achieved also achieved success by marrying fuel cell technology to the UAV platform, setting a new long-duration flight record of over nine-hours with fuel cell hybrid-powered Puma UAS.


here's the origional link: http://www.gizmag.com/horizon-fuel-cell-unmanned-aircraft/11913/

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Comments

  • Mark Whitehorn February 22, 2010 at 3:20pm
    The "dry-fuel cartridges" probably contain metal hydrides instead of pressurized gas.
  • Wendi Smol February 22, 2010 at 2:55pm
    Hi

    300 times more powerful than LiPo batteries??
    I think you got the decimal point in the wrong position; 300% equals 3 times, which is quite an achievement.
    Wonder how long we still have to wait for the cells?

    W.
  • Obormot February 21, 2010 at 1:43pm
    "refillable dry-fuel cartridges" - what is it?
  • Mark Whitehorn February 21, 2010 at 12:42pm
    Thanks for the link, I didn't find that page when I was looking. At their max recommended weight of 10Kg or 22lb, you'd have peak power of 50W/Kg or 23W/lb. Continuous power would only be 9W/lb. Those levels do seem pretty low, takeoffs would be interesting.
  • Developer
    John Arne Birkeland February 21, 2010 at 10:56am
    More real information here. http://www.horizonfuelcell.com/aerospace.htm
    If you read the specs it's not quite ready for prime time yet. According to the numbers the system can deliver 200W continuously (500w < 10min, buffer battery most likely) and generate 450Wh/kg. Thus is you need 10 hours of 200W flight you get a 4,5kg "battery". Add payload and we are talking a good sized airframe. Keeping it up in the air with 200W is gonna be a challenge.
  • Xander February 20, 2010 at 5:28pm
    I know I'm being picky, but "increase flight endurance by up to 300% over lithium batteries" does not equal "300 times more powerful than lithium ion".

    It's a cool tech. Probably not ready for micro-UAVs just yet, but maybe some day soon.
  • Jack Crossfire February 20, 2010 at 1:08pm
    If you need to know the price, you can't afford it. $4000 is what you want it to cost. For that matter, we estimate it's really $100. Very sure it's $100.
  • T3
    Rory Paul February 20, 2010 at 12:31pm
    Its not just $4000 for the Earopak you need to buy the chemical "refills" from them as well.....want to be dependent on one supplier for your fuel?
  • brett binnekade February 20, 2010 at 12:22pm
    the H-cell is just an alternative energy source with zero emissions. its not more powerful, probably less, than a lithium ion.

    so we just need a slightly bigger platform to this baby in..

    however, looking at the prices of fuel cells. id estimate the earopak to cast about $4000. the H-cell is about $1000. quite a pricey upgrade!
  • Mark Whitehorn February 20, 2010 at 10:32am
    According to the brochure, the H-cell 2.0 is rated 24 watt-hours at a nominal output power of 30W and 717grams. I think the stock brushless motor for the EasyStar is rated 275watts. The flying weight of an EasyStar is in the 600gram range (with LiPo power). I think we need more power and less weight.
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