First Hydrogen Fuel Cell Helicopter Completes Successful Flight
The latest step in fuel cell power has taken to the skies with the first hydrogen powered helicopter making a flight lasting more than 20 minutes. The technology demonstrator developed by United Technologies Corporation flew using a Proton Exchange Membrane fuel cell developed by UTC.
The small catch is the size of the helicopter. With a rotor diameter of two meters, the remote control helicopter was originally designed to run on electric batteries. UTC modified the helicopter to run on its fuel cell and the flight was run entirely with the hydrogen supplied energy, no outside battery source was used.
UTC’s Dr. David Parekh says the flight is a milestone because of the unique challenges of helicopter flight.
“Achieving vertical flight represents a key milestone in fuel cell-powered flight as the power density requirements are much greater than for fixed wing aircraft.”
There have been several fuel cell-powered flights made with full size, piloted aircraft, including one funded by Boeing. But as Dr. Parekh points out, the power requirements for vertical flight are much greater for helicopters. Typically helicopters of all sizes need either more power/fuel burn if they are full size, or more battery power for the remote control crowd to fly the same mission as their airplane cousins. The fuel cell powered aircraft flown to date have more glider like wings, adding to their efficiency advantage.
A video on UTC’s website shows the small remote controlled helicopter during its first flight. The company says the maximum power was 1.75kW. For comparison, the Antares fuel cell aircraft only requires 10kW and is piloted by a person. Energy density from the power system exceeded 500 W/kg, roughly double a typical lithium ion battery setup.
The company plans longer flights in the near future, but there are no plans yet for a manned hydrogen fuel cell helicopter.
Photos: United Technologies Corporation
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