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Xam-mjinbh t1_is3nqyw wrote

Reply to comment by slavetomypassions92 in NASA has invented a new type of high-performance battery that researchers claim could be used to power fully electric airplanes. by phife_is_a_dawg

I wonder if an all electric plane would be any bit quieter; like an airliner etc.

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Bozzzzzzz t1_is4eki1 wrote

Would think so. Not silent though. Assuming we’re talking propeller driven aircraft (don’t see how jet propulsion could be electrified?) it would sound like a bigger lower buzzy drone sound I imagine.

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deck_hand t1_is57dvy wrote

There will always be prop noise. We can also power shrouded fans by electric motor, and those are more efficient than open props. A "turbofan" is a shrouded fan driven by a turbine, and it's currently the most efficient way to propel an airplane.

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Bozzzzzzz t1_is5pktj wrote

Shrouded makes sense. A turbofan relies on combustion though as I understand it so not sure that could be replicated with electric only. Could be some way to get more power / efficiency out of electric only systems that has yet to be invented but electric is already more efficient than IC engines (and I would have to think jet propulsion) so we’re already ahead just by going electric.

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deck_hand t1_is5pz2d wrote

Sorry I wasn't more clear. It is the "fan" part of turbofan that makes it efficient, not the "turbo" part. The turbine can and does create thrust, but it's relatively inefficient. So they add a "shrouded fan" to the output shaft of the turbine to increase the efficiency of the turbine.

We can add a "shrouded fan" to the output shaft of an electric motor to make the most efficient thrust from the output of the electric motor.

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Bozzzzzzz t1_is5qkdg wrote

Yeah no worries, I’m with you on the shrouded part.

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