Bental Industries Israel's Motion Systems House for defense and commercial applications, has introduced a family of unified Starter- Generators for UAVs. The SG starts the UAV's main engine and generates power for the platform's other systems.
The SG is an innovative addition to Bental Industries' already extensive offering for UAVs, mini UAVs and future micro UAVs. It was developed in direct response to the needs expressed by UAV manufacturers for further miniaturization of elements, in order to reduce weight and space requirements as well as operator' safety.
"The unified SG meets these demands and more," affirms Michael Armon, Bental Industries' VP Marketing & Sales. "It significantly reduces weight and volume requirements, critical factors in UAVs, and thus increases endurance. Furthermore, it is safer and simplifies operations."
The unique SG was developed employing brushless technology, in which Bental Industries is a recognized expert. The SG therefore, does not require brushes, which are typically needed to create the alternator's magnetic field for electricity generation. Brushless technology substantially increases the system's reliability and life cycle. Armon explains that "the brushes typically used in the past, erode rapidly."
He adds that the "Starter Generator" is the element which starts the platform's engine and then identifies that the engine is operating and, at that moment, switches the unit's operation automatically to a generating mode. Previously, this process was carried out by two separate devices: a starter and an alternator. The SG is a vital integral element in the engine, and is a far-reaching solution to the issues of weight and volume".
The Starter Generator family supplies from 600 W up to 4 kW. The first SG was designed for the Hermes 450 UAV, as part of the Watchkeeper project. "However, adds Armon, Bental has designed more SGs for a whole range of unmanned airborne platforms".
