A method for cooling an on-board device

Abstract

The application provides a heat dissipation method of an airborne device, and belongs to the technical field of avionics, and specifically comprises the following steps: installing a fan, a control valve and a temperature sensor on a processing cabinet, the temperature sensor is arranged on a module that needs to be monitored in terms of temperature, and a communication connection exists between a power module and at least one data processing module; the data processing module receives temperature information of all temperature sensors, compares the temperature information with a temperature threshold value, and determines that the processing cabinet is in an over-temperature state if any temperature is greater than the temperature threshold value; the data processing module receives air supply failure information from an environmental control system; if the environmental control system fails to supply air or it is determined that the processing cabinet is in an over-temperature state, the data processing module controls the fan and the control valve by controlling the power module, and uses the fan to dissipate heat for each module. The application maintains a stable working environment temperature by using a high-reliability heat dissipation method, and improves the flight safety of an airplane.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of avionics technology, and more particularly to a heat dissipation method for airborne equipment. Background Technology

[0002] Airborne equipment refers to all electromechanical systems and subsystems installed or suspended on an aircraft, typically composed of cabinets and plug-in modules. With the development of electronic technology, the integration and complexity of airborne equipment are increasing, leading to a continuous rise in power consumption per unit volume. The heat dissipation area of ​​these devices is shrinking, while heat generation continues to increase. Research shows that the failure rate of equipment components increases exponentially with rising temperature, and heat dissipation-related integrated circuit failures account for more than 50% of all integrated circuit failures.

[0003] Traditional heat dissipation methods include air cooling and liquid cooling technologies. Air cooling removes heat by blowing cooling air directly onto the surface of the heat-generating equipment, while liquid cooling uses steam circulation for cooling, offering higher heat dissipation efficiency. The reliability of single-source air cooling technology depends on the fan; if the fan fails, the entire airborne equipment's cooling function will be paralyzed. Liquid cooling technology's steam circulation system is affected by the motion loads generated by aircraft maneuvers, carries the risk of refrigerant leakage, and is expensive, making it less economical.

[0004] Single-source air cooling and liquid cooling methods cannot meet the high-reliability operating environment requirements of airborne equipment. Therefore, proposing a high-reliability heat dissipation method suitable for the characteristics of airborne equipment is crucial for the stable operation and service life of the equipment. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of this, embodiments of this application provide a heat dissipation method for airborne equipment, which can achieve heat dissipation of the processing cabinet by controlling the cooling fan when the forced air cooling provided by the environmental control system fails or is insufficient.

[0006] This application provides a heat dissipation method for airborne equipment, the method comprising:

[0007] Fans, control valves, and temperature sensors are installed on the processing rack. The processing rack contains multiple data processing modules, function support modules, and power modules. Temperature sensors are installed on the data processing modules and the function support modules. The power modules supply power to each module and are also connected to at least one data processing module via a communication bus.

[0008] The data processing module, which is communicatively connected to the power module, periodically receives temperature information from all the temperature sensors.

[0009] The acquired temperature information is compared with the currently set temperature threshold. If the current temperature of any temperature sensor is greater than the set temperature threshold, the processing cabinet is determined to be in an over-temperature state.

[0010] The data processing module, which is connected to the power supply module, receives air supply failure information from the environmental control system.

[0011] If the data processing module receives a message indicating that the air supply to the environmental control system has failed or that the processing cabinet is in an overheated state, the data processing module controls the fan and control valve through the control power module, and uses the fan to dissipate heat from each module.

[0012] According to a specific implementation of an embodiment of this application, the step of controlling the fan and control valve by controlling the power supply module includes:

[0013] The control valve outputs two discrete digital signals, D1 and D2. D1 indicates that the control valve is in the fan position, at which time the environmental control system supplies air for cooling. D2 indicates that the control valve is in the main air duct, at which time the fan supplies air for cooling.

[0014] Two power supply interfaces for control valves are led out from the power module. There is a pressure difference between the two power supply interfaces. The movement of the control valves is controlled by the pressure difference between the two control valves. The movement of the control valves enables the switching of the cooling mode from air supply cooling to fan supply cooling in the environmental control system.

[0015] According to a specific implementation of an embodiment of this application, the step of controlling the fan and control valve by controlling the power supply module further includes:

[0016] The power module receives the fan speed indication signal from the fan, parses the fan speed indication signal, and then sends the fan speed information to the data processing module through the communication bus.

[0017] The data processing module sends a fan speed control command to the power module via the communication bus based on the temperature information received from the temperature sensor and the fan speed information.

[0018] After receiving the fan speed control command, the power module sends a fan speed control signal to the outside world to adjust and control the fan speed.

[0019] According to a specific implementation of an embodiment of this application, the method further includes:

[0020] The power supply interface for the fan is led out from the power module, and the voltage is 28V DC.

[0021] According to a specific implementation of an embodiment of this application, in the step of using a fan to cool each module, the fan switching control step includes:

[0022] The conditions for controlling the fan to shut down are: the air supply of the environmental control system is normal, and the duration of no over-temperature faults should meet the set value.

[0023] Set the conditions for controlling the fan to turn on: the air supply of the environmental control system fails, or there is an over-temperature fault;

[0024] The data processing module samples the air supply and over-temperature conditions of the environmental control system at fixed intervals to determine whether the fan is on or off.

[0025] When the fan is off, the data processing module checks the environmental control system and over-temperature status at fixed time intervals. If the environmental control system fails to supply air or there is an over-temperature fault, the fan is turned on to supply air.

[0026] When the fan is turned on, the data processing module checks the environmental control system and over-temperature status at fixed time intervals. If the duration of normal air supply and no over-temperature fault in the environmental control system meets the set value, the fan is turned off.

[0027] According to a specific implementation of an embodiment of this application, the cooling method of the fan is exhaust cooling, where cold air flows into the interior of the processing cabinet from the top of the cabinet, passes through each module, and then flows out from the fan.

[0028] According to a specific implementation of an embodiment of this application, the method further includes:

[0029] The fan is off when the cooling mode is switched.

[0030] After the cooling mode switch is completed, the power module disconnects the power supply to the control valve.

[0031] Beneficial effects:

[0032] The heat dissipation method for airborne equipment in this application embodiment selects an appropriate heat dissipation method based on the actual temperature conditions of the airborne equipment and the air supply status of the environmental control system. This compensates for the lack of reliability of a single cooling method and ensures that the airborne equipment can always maintain a stable operating environment temperature through a highly reliable heat dissipation method, providing strong protection for the safe flight of the aircraft. Attached Figure Description

[0033] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0034] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the physical architecture of a heat dissipation method for airborne equipment according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 2 This is a logic diagram of a power module controlling a fan and a control valve according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating the fan switch control process according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0037] The embodiments of this application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0038] The following specific examples illustrate the implementation of this application. Those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of this application from the content disclosed in this specification. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of them. This application can also be implemented or applied through other different specific embodiments, and the details in this specification can also be modified or changed based on different viewpoints and applications without departing from the spirit of this application. It should be noted that, in the absence of conflict, the following embodiments and features in the embodiments can be combined with each other. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0039] It should be noted that various aspects of embodiments within the scope of the appended claims are described below. It will be apparent that the aspects described herein can be embodied in a wide variety of forms, and any particular structure and / or function described herein is merely illustrative. Based on this application, those skilled in the art will understand that one aspect described herein can be implemented independently of any other aspect, and two or more of these aspects can be combined in various ways. For example, any number of aspects set forth herein can be used to implement the device and / or practice the method. Additionally, this device and / or method can be implemented using structures and / or functionalities other than one or more of the aspects set forth herein.

[0040] It should also be noted that the illustrations provided in the following embodiments are only schematic representations of the basic concept of this application. The illustrations only show the components related to this application and are not drawn according to the number, shape and size of the components in actual implementation. In actual implementation, the form, quantity and proportion of each component can be arbitrarily changed, and the layout of the components may also be more complex.

[0041] Furthermore, specific details are provided in the following description to facilitate a thorough understanding of the examples. However, those skilled in the art will understand that the described aspects can be practiced without these specific details.

[0042] This application provides a heat dissipation method for airborne equipment, which is described below. Figures 1 to 3 Provide a detailed description.

[0043] The heat dissipation method for airborne equipment in this embodiment includes the following steps:

[0044] Step 1: Install fans, control valves, and temperature sensors on the processing rack. The processing rack contains multiple data processing modules, power supply modules, and function support modules. Temperature sensors are installed on the data processing modules and other modules that require temperature monitoring. The power supply modules supply power to each module and are also connected to at least one data processing module via a communication bus.

[0045] Step 2: The data processing module, which is connected to the power module, periodically receives temperature information from all the temperature sensors.

[0046] Step 3: Compare the acquired temperature information with the currently set temperature threshold. If the current temperature of any temperature sensor is greater than the set temperature threshold, the processing cabinet is determined to be in an over-temperature state.

[0047] Step 4: The data processing module, which is connected to the power supply module, receives air supply failure information from the environmental control system;

[0048] Step 5: If the data processing module receives a message that the air supply to the environmental control system has failed or determines that the processing cabinet is in an overheating state, the data processing module controls the fan and control valve through the control power module, and uses the fan to dissipate heat from each module.

[0049] In practice, the processing cabinet is equipped with fans and control valves. Under normal operating conditions, cooling is achieved through controlled airflow (air supplied by the environmental control system). The controlled airflow cooling method is blown air cooling; air is blown in from the controlled air vents, flows into the cabinet, passes through the modules, and exits from the top of the cabinet. Only one cooling method (controlled airflow cooling or fan cooling) is effective at a time. The control valve controls the vent baffles, blocking the inlet (outlet) of the other cooling method. The processing cabinet receives controlled airflow status information from the environmental control system. When controlled airflow is unavailable, the fan will be used to cool the modules.

[0050] Temperature sensors are installed on all modules in the processing rack that have high power consumption and poor heat dissipation. These sensors monitor the module temperature and report the temperature information to the data processing module with a communication interface. The over-temperature judgment component defines and performs the over-temperature status determination of the processing rack. When the processing rack is determined to be over-temperature, the fans will be activated for cooling.

[0051] In addition to over-temperature detection, the data processing module with a communication interface communicates with the power module via a communication bus, receiving valve and fan sensor signals from the power module. When switching cooling modes, it sends commands to the power module to move valves, turn fans on / off, and connect / disconnect valve power. Only one data processing module controls the power module at a time, and only one power module controls both the valves and fans simultaneously.

[0052] In one embodiment, multiple data processing modules, power supply modules, and function support modules can be configured. In this embodiment, six data processing modules, two other modules, and two power supply modules are configured. The data processing modules provide comprehensive data processing capabilities for the processing cabinet; the power supply modules supply power to all modules, fans, and control valves within the cabinet, and are responsible for the direct control of the fans and control valves; the function support modules (… Figure 1 Other modules in the cabinet provide additional support for the processing cabinet, such as communication support; the processing cabinet provides slots and data connections, power bus paths for all modules, and has fans and control valves that can provide cooling via fans.

[0053] like Figure 1 As shown, in this embodiment, there is a communication interface between the two power supply modules and two specific data processing modules. Both data processing modules can communicate with the power supply modules via a communication bus, sending commands to the power supply modules to control the control valves and fans. The fans and control valves are controlled by the data processing modules through the power supply modules. Each data processing module and other modules requiring temperature monitoring are equipped with temperature sensors. The data processing modules with communication interfaces can obtain the temperature information of each module through their internal over-temperature detection components.

[0054] In one embodiment, refer to Figure 2 The method of controlling the fan and control valve via the power supply module includes:

[0055] The control valve outputs two discrete digital signals, D1 and D2. D1 indicates that the control valve is in the fan position, at which time the environmental control system supplies air for cooling. D2 indicates that the control valve is in the main air duct, at which time the fan supplies air for cooling.

[0056] Two power supply interfaces for control valves are led out from the power module. There is a pressure difference between the two power supply interfaces. The movement of the control valves is controlled by the pressure difference between the two control valves. The movement of the control valves enables the switching of the cooling mode from air supply cooling to fan supply cooling in the environmental control system.

[0057] Furthermore, the method of controlling the fan and control valve via the power supply module also includes:

[0058] The power module receives the fan speed indication signal from the fan, parses the fan speed indication signal, and then sends the fan speed information to the data processing module through the communication bus.

[0059] The data processing module sends a fan speed control command to the power module via the communication bus based on the temperature information received from the temperature sensor and the fan speed information.

[0060] After receiving the fan speed control command, the power module sends a fan speed control signal to the outside world to adjust and control the fan speed.

[0061] In one embodiment, the method further includes:

[0062] The power supply interface for the fan is led out from the power module, and the voltage is 28V DC.

[0063] In one embodiment, refer to Figure 3 In the step of using fans to cool each module, the fan switching control step includes:

[0064] The conditions for controlling the fan to shut down are: the air supply of the environmental control system is normal, and the duration of no over-temperature faults should meet the set value.

[0065] Set the conditions for controlling the fan to turn on: the air supply of the environmental control system fails, or there is an over-temperature fault;

[0066] The data processing module samples the air supply and over-temperature conditions of the environmental control system at fixed intervals to determine whether the fan is on or off.

[0067] When the fan is off, the data processing module checks the environmental control system and over-temperature status at fixed time intervals. If the environmental control system fails to supply air or there is an over-temperature fault, the fan is turned on to supply air.

[0068] When the fan is turned on, the data processing module checks the environmental control system and over-temperature status at fixed time intervals. If the duration of normal air supply and no over-temperature fault in the environmental control system meets the set value, the fan is turned off.

[0069] In one embodiment, the fan is cooled by exhaust cooling, where cold air flows into the interior of the processing cabinet from the top, passes through each module, and then flows out from the fan.

[0070] In one embodiment, the method further includes:

[0071] The fan is off when the cooling mode is switched.

[0072] After the cooling mode switch is completed, the power module disconnects the power supply to the control valve.

[0073] In practice, the power module directly controls the fan and control valve. When a cooling mode switch is required, the power module commands the control valve to rotate, thereby moving the baffle and switching the cooling mode. During the cooling mode switch, the fan will shut off to prevent cooling air loss. After the cooling mode switch is complete, the power module will disconnect the valve's power supply.

[0074] The embodiments provided by this invention involve installing fans and control valves on the processing rack. Module temperature is monitored via temperature sensors within the rack. When a module overheats, the power module controls the fans to dissipate heat. This allows for the selection of an appropriate cooling method based on the actual temperature conditions of the airborne equipment and the airflow status of the environmental control system. It overcomes the reliability limitations of single cooling methods, ensuring that the airborne equipment maintains a stable operating temperature through highly reliable heat dissipation, thus providing strong support for safe aircraft operation.

[0075] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method of dissipating heat from an airborne device, comprising: The method comprises: installing a fan, a control valve and a temperature sensor on a processing cabinet, wherein the processing cabinet is internally provided with a plurality of data processing modules, function support modules and power supply modules, the temperature sensor is arranged on the data processing modules and the function support modules, the power supply modules supply power for each module, and the power supply modules are in communication connection with at least one data processing module through a communication bus; the data processing module in communication connection with the power supply module periodically receives temperature information of all the temperature sensors; the acquired temperature information is compared with a currently set temperature threshold value, and if the current temperature of any temperature sensor is greater than the set temperature threshold value, it is determined that the processing cabinet is in an over-temperature state; the data processing module in communication connection with the power supply module receives air supply failure information from an environment control system; if the data processing module receives air supply failure of the environment control system or determines that the processing cabinet is in an over-temperature state, the data processing module controls the fan and the control valve by controlling the power supply module, and uses the fan to dissipate heat for each module; wherein the control of the fan and the control valve by the power supply module comprises: the control valve outputs two digital discrete signals D1 and D2, D1 represents that the control valve is at a fan position, at which time air cooling is provided by the environment control system, and D2 represents that the control valve is at a main air duct, at which time air cooling is provided by the fan; two power supply interfaces of the control valve are led out from the power supply module, a pressure difference exists between the two power supply interfaces, the movement of the control valve is controlled through the pressure difference between the control valves, and the cooling mode switching between the air cooling provided by the environment control system and the air cooling provided by the fan is realized through the movement of the control valve; when in the state of cooling mode switching, the fan is closed; after the completion of the cooling mode switching, the power supply module disconnects the power supply of the control valve; wherein in the step of dissipating heat for each module by using the fan, the fan opening and closing control step comprises: the condition for controlling the fan to be closed is that the air supply of the environment control system is normal, and the duration of no over-temperature fault should meet a set value; the condition for controlling the fan to be opened is that the air supply of the environment control system is failed, and there is an over-temperature fault; the data processing module samples the air supply condition of the environment control system and the over-temperature condition at a fixed interval of time to determine the opening and closing of the fan; when the fan is in a closed state, the data processing module judges the environment control system and the over-temperature condition at a fixed interval of time, and when the air supply of the environment control system is failed or there is an over-temperature fault, the fan is opened to supply air; when the fan is opened, the data processing module judges the environment control system and the over-temperature condition at a fixed interval of time, and when the air supply of the environment control system is normal and the duration of no over-temperature fault meets the set value, the fan is closed.

2. The heat dissipation method for an onboard device according to claim 1, wherein the control of the fan and the control valve by the power supply module further comprises: the power supply module receives a fan speed indication signal sent by the fan, analyzes the fan speed indication signal, and sends fan speed information to the data processing module through the communication bus; the data processing module sends a fan speed regulation instruction to the power supply module through the communication bus according to the currently received temperature information of the temperature sensor and the fan speed information. The power module receives the fan speed regulation instruction and sends a fan speed regulation signal to the outside to realize the adjustment and control of the fan speed.

3. The heat dissipation method for an onboard device according to claim 1, wherein The method further comprises: The power supply interface of the fan is led out from the power module, and the voltage is 28V DC.

4. The heat dissipation method for an onboard device according to claim 1, wherein The cooling mode of the fan is air extraction cooling. Cold air flows into the processing cabinet from the top of the processing cabinet, and flows out from the fan after passing through each module.

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