These criteria and constraints were determined through research of prior solutions and current commercial aircraft engines, as well as conversations with stakeholders and survey results. The research of current and prior solutions helped us determine the size of the engine, as well as how expensive the engine should be. Our conversations with stakeholders helped us realize that the engine had to be similar in maintenance and safety to current combustion engines.
Pilots
Ground Crew
People who live near airports
Plane manufacturers
We will measure the power output with and without our clean engine prototype. The solution will be successful if we can provide a similar amount of power with a cleaner engine.
Criteria
More fuel efficient than current average of 65.5 seat-miles per gallon
Engine itself cannot exceed purchase price of average combustion engine cost if put on market ($10 million)
Aluminum, steal, and titanium
Easily accessible for cleaning/inspection
Engine lasts for at least the current standard of 12,000 flight cycles (trips)
Charges during turnaround time at gate or when combustion engine is spinning
Constraints
Size has to fit in traditional airplane where the engine usually goes
Maintains at least a 1:1 weight to horsepower ratio
Maintenance cost cannot exceed cost to maintain and fuel regular combustion engine ($6.22/gal and about $100,000 in maintenance/insurance costs annually)
MUST BE SAFE. SAFETY IS THE FIRST PRIORITY
CANNOT STALL → Some source of power needs to be on at all times