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Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) / eVTOL Interconnect Solutions

An eVTOL on a landing pad with a city skyline backdrop

Elevate Your eVTOL Projects with Glenair Solutions

Distributed Electric Propulsion (DEP) is crucial for eVTOL aircraft, featuring power sources ranging from single batteries to complex hybrid systems combining gas engines, electric generators, fuel cells, and storage devices. Glenair offers a wide selection of lightweight, durable aviation-grade power connectors and systems, designed for commercial aerospace. Their eVTOL air taxi solutions encompass high-density connectors for avionics, controls, actuators, and sensors, alongside Urban Air Mobility EWIS hardware like lightweight thermoplastic backshells, EMC shielding, and lightning protection systems.

Challenges

Glenair’s interconnect solutions play a crucial role in enabling the reliable and efficient operation of eVTOL aircraft and address several challenges specific to electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft:

  • Weight and Space Constraints – eVTOLs require lightweight components to maximize payload capacity and flight efficiency. Glenair’s interconnect solutions are designed to be lightweight and compact, reducing the overall weight and space requirements of electrical systems onboard
  • High Power Requirements– eVTOLs rely on electric propulsion systems, which demand high power levels. Glenair’s interconnect solutions can handle high current and voltage requirements while maintaining reliability and efficiency, ensuring uninterrupted power delivery to critical components.
  • Vibration and Shock Resistance– The rotor systems of eVTOLs generate significant vibration and shock during operation. Glenair’s interconnect solutions are engineered to withstand these harsh conditions, preventing electrical failures and ensuring continuous operation of essential systems.
  • Environmental Protection– eVTOLs operate in various environmental conditions, including extreme temperatures, humidity, and exposure to moisture and chemicals. Glenair’s interconnect solutions offer robust sealing and protective coatings to safeguard against environmental factors, enhancing the longevity and reliability of electrical connections.
  • Reliability and Durability– eVTOLs require components that can withstand frequent use and rigorous flight cycles. Glenair’s interconnect solutions undergo stringent testing and quality control measures to ensure reliability and durability under demanding operating conditions, minimizing downtime and maintenance costs.
Slideshow Presentation

Connect with ICC

Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) / eVTOL Interconnect Solutions Datasheets

SuperNine PowerPlay is a high-ampacity multi-pole connector series that combines the proven performance of MIL-DTL-38999 Series III connector packaging with contact and dielectric insert technology capable of 2000VAC working voltage. SuperNine PowerPlay utilizes Glenair Crown Ring contact technology, a crimp-removable, low insertion force contact series optimized for higher current carrying capabilities, lower contact resistance, and superior vibration resistance compared to LouverBand, hyperboloid, and other designs.

  • 2000 VAC working voltage
  • High current, low resistance, superior vibration resistance
  • Safe-touch finger proofing
  • Integrated band platform shield termination
  • Compatible with TurboFlex high-flexibility cable
  • Support for busbar and other wire terminations
  • Multi-Pin arrangements for size 8 and 4 AWG contacts. Single-Pole arrangements for 2, 1/0, 2/0, and 4/0 contacts. Options for 20 AWG interlock contacts on all sizes

The Glenair MotorHead Advanced Air Mobility connector is a low-profile, economical high-voltage solution for eVTOL advanced air mobility electric motor, inverter, and production break applications. The MotorHead connector solution is built around individually-shielded TurboFlex cable, high-temperature Crown Ring contacts, and an easy-to-install Autoshrink insulator. Available packaging includes lightweight composite PEEK multi-pole design and “Better than QPL” SuperNine circulars for discrete power line interconnection. Termination and assembly process saves time and labor.

  • High ampacity multi-pole series with Autoshrink insulator for reduced assembly and labor
  • 2500 VAC working voltage
  • Crown Ring contacts: crimp-removable, low insertion force
  • High current, low resistance, superior vibration resistance
  • Safe-touch finger proofing
  • TurboFlex-compatible
  • Support for busbar and other wire terminations
  • Range of multi-pin insert arrangements for size 8, 4, 2, 1/0, 2/0, 4/0 contacts

Glenair eVTOL Air Taxi Interconnect Technologies

PowerLoad™ – High-Power Aircraft Connectors and Cables

The Aircraft Industry’s most Advanced Power Distribution Interconnect with High-Current Carrying Capacity Crown Ring Contacts and Flexible TurboFlex® Cabling

High-Vibration, High-Temperature Tolerant Power Distribution Connector Series for eVTOL Air Taxi Applications

Series 972

powertrip

PowerTrip™ Connectors

The Power Connector for Extreme Environments – Series 970

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super its

Super ITS – 921

High-Performance reverse-bayonet for inverter, electronic speed control, and other eVTOL applications

turboflex

TurboFlex® Power Distribution Cables

TurboFlex® power distribution cables are fabricated from highly flexible conductors and high-performance insulation to produce cables ideally suited for applications where flexibility, durability, and weight reduction.

Series 96

Series 806 Mil-Aero

Series 806 Mil-Aero Micro Miniature D38999 Connectors and Cable Assemblies

Advanced Electrical, Mechanical and Environmental Performance plus Reduced Size and Weight Compared to D38999

Meets every MIL-DTL-38999 Performance Specification

Series 806

supernine

MIL-DTL-38999 Series III Type Connectors: SuperNine® Advanced Performance

SuperNine® The Advanced Performance MIL-DTL-38999 Series III Type Connectors with superior mating durability, anti-vibration decoupling performance, EMI shielding, environmental sealing and much, much more.

Series 23

Crimp-Contact Micro Rectangular Connectors / Micro-Crimp Series 79, 791, 792

Time and labor-saving crimp-contact micro rectangular connectors: Smallest form-factor Series 79, advanced-performance scoop-proof Series 791, and Series 792 for high-speed wire-to-board applications.

El Ochito Octaxial Contacts

El Ochito® High-Speed Octaxial Contacts

Ethernet, SuperSpeed USB, HDMI, DisplayPort, SATA

swing arm

Swing-Arm and Other Lightweight Composite Aerospace Connector Accessories

Lightweight, corrosion-free, vibration-dampening, next-generation EMI/RFI strain relief backshell

Datasheet

Wire Protection & Accessory Solutions

EMI/RFI Tubular Expandable Braided Shielding for EMC Applications

Lightweight ArmorLite™ and AmberStrand® Plus Industry-Standard Metallic Braid

masterwrap

MasterWrap™ Flexible Wraparound EMI/RFI Braid and other Special-Purpose Shielding Technologies

  • MasterWrap™ with ArmorLite™
  • MasterWrap™ Nomex®
  • ArmorLite™ and Nomex® Spot-Coverage Tape Wrap
  • Tapered Tubular EMI/RFI Braid
wire protection conduit system

Wire Protection Conduit Systems

Metal and Polymer Core Tubing, Fittings and Assemblies

autoshrink

Autoshrink™

The Fast and Easy Cold-Action Shrink Tubing and Shrink Boot Solution From Glenair

Series 77

conduit assembly

Turnkey Interconnect Cable / Conduit Assemblies

Customer-Bespoke Cable Harnesses and Assemblies for eVTOL / Advanced Air Mobility Applications

flex circuit

Flex Circuit Assemblies: Turnkey, Connectorized PCB Solutions

Flex Circuit, Rigid Flex Circuit, PCBA, and Optical Flex Assemblies

IPC-6012/6013 CLASS III, TYPES 1–4

  • Point-to-point or multibranch connectorized jumpers
  • Flexible, repeatable routing for complex 3-dimensional installations
  • Save size, weight, and improve density compared to wire bundles
  • Broadest range of high-performance I/O and board connectors
  • Optimized reliability: high-speed, high temp, high shock and vibe
earth bond system

GroundControl™ Earth Bond System

The Quickest, Easiest, and Most Cost Effective Solution to Installing and Maintaining Grounding Connections on Steel Plate and Sheet Metal

What is eVTOL?

eVTOL stands for Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing, representing a class of electric-powered aircraft capable of vertical takeoffs and landings. Distinguished from traditional VTOL aircraft by their electric propulsion, eVTOLs are a crucial innovation in urban air mobility (UAM), aimed at alleviating ground-based traffic congestion and reducing travel times in urban areas. They offer quieter, more eco-friendly, and cost-efficient operation. Companies and research organizations globally are developing eVTOL technology for uses like passenger air taxis and cargo delivery drones. These aircraft, often equipped with multiple rotors, are designed for operation in tight spaces such as helipads and rooftops. Despite being in the early development stages, with ongoing needs for research, regulatory approvals, and infrastructure, the eVTOL industry holds promise for transforming urban transportation with its potential to decrease congestion and emissions while introducing new rapid transit options.

EVTOL aircraft flying above London.