Доцільність застосування гідравлічних систем в повністю електричних літаках

Abstract

This article evaluates the technical and economic feasibility of integrating hydraulic systems into fully electric aircraft (FEA) architectures, balancing the requirements of flight safety with the imperatives of energy efficiency. As the aviation industry shifts toward zeroemission propulsion, traditional centralized hydraulic actuators are being critically re-evaluated. The research highlights that for light electric aircraft, such as the Pipistrel Velis Electro or the experimental X-57 Maxwell, the use of heavy hydraulic lines is energy-unjustified, making electromechanical actuators (EMA) the preferred choice due to their direct integration with the electrical power grid and reduced maintenance footprint. The study pays particular attention to the "energy density gap," noting that current battery technologies (250 –270 Wh/kg) necessitate extreme weight-saving measures, which often conflict with the inherent mass of hydraulic fluids and pumps. However, for larger airframes or acrobatic models like the Extra 330LE, which require significant mechanical force for landing gear and primary flight control surfaces, the study identifies a strategic trend toward Electro-Hydrostatic Actuators (EHA). These hybrid "powerby-wire" solutions eliminate heavy centralized piping and the risk of total system leakage while preserving the high power density and fail-safe reliability of the hydraulic principle in localized modules. The author analyzes the laws of Pascal in the context of modern automation, proving that hydraulics in FEA are transforming from a bulky ship-wide network into compact, digitalized units. The article concludes that while pure electrical systems are optimal for small-scale and urban air mobility, specialized hydraulic modules remain essential for heavy -duty applications, provided they meet the stringent weight-to-power ratios of next-generation sustainable aircraft.