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Bental, Israel: Bental Industries announced the European launch of its innovative hybrid system, following its successful launch in the US. Designed for mini to mid-size UAVs, the operational advantages of the hybrid system will be demonstrated at the IDEF show in May and at the Paris Air Show in June.
Leveraging the Combined Advantages of Electric Motor and Internal Combustion Engine
Bental's cutting-edge hybrid system delivers the combined operational benefits of electric motor and fuel engine. During ignition of the UAV's internal combustion engine, the electric motor acts as a starter and activates the internal combustion engine. When the internal combustion engine is running, the electric motor changes its function – becomes an alternator that charges the UAV's batteries and supplies electric energy to all the UAV's systems, including: payload, servo-actuators, telemetry, and all other electrical components.
Upon arrival at the target – in order to assure a quiet flight and a low thermal signature – the system turns off the internal combustion engine and the alternator changes its function to an electric motor that maneuvers the UAV quietly over the target area. After accomplishing the mission, the internal combustion engine is started by the electric motor that acts as a starter, and after the engine is started, it changes back to an alternator and once again charges the UAV's batteries.
Benefits of this advanced hybrid system include fuel savings, quiet operation, reduced weight and size, and high survivability due to the low thermal and noise signatures during mission implementation.
A Full Range of Unique Solutions for UAVs
Bental offers a full range of on-board and payload systems for mini-UAVs. The company's solutions have an exceptional track record on the Heron, Searcher and Harpy platforms produced by Israel Aircraft Industries, and other mini-UAVs. Bental's systems for integration into mini-UAVs include Motion Systems, Stabilized Gimbal Payload Systems for observation, Miniaturized Payloads, Propeller Motors and Actuators.
Bental is developing the Smallest Stabilized Gimbal Payload Systems in the world – the MicroBAT 275 (2.75″ diameter). This cutting-edge system enables day and night operation, and offers system stabilization range of 50 to 200 micro radians and miniaturized payloads and electronics. Addressing the challenges of mini and micro-UAVs, Bental's solutions provide exceptional stabilization, high resolution observation, small size and low weight.
Bental recently released its newest line of unified Starter Generators (SGs) which start the UAV's main internal combustion engine and then perform as an alternator. Unifying two functionalities into one unit, the SGs substantially reduce weight and volume, while increasing the platform's endurance, safety, and ease of operation by ground operators.
