Active Current Limiting for Aircraft Lightning Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the aeronautics domain, existing solutions for protecting onboard electronic equipment from lightning-induced overvoltages are either ineffective for composite aircraft without external metallization or require costly modifications, increased weight, and frequent maintenance due to the need for replacing static circuit-breaking components.
Innovation Solution
A device with a control circuit and power semiconductors is connected between an electric power generator and electronic equipment, featuring modules for event detection, current setpoint adaptation, and semiconductor control to actively limit current in response to overvoltage or overcurrent events, ensuring protection without the need for external metallization and reducing maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If external metallization and ground plane are integrated to protect against lightning overvoltages, then protection effectiveness is improved, but aircraft weight increases and flight performance is penalized
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the protection function from the external metallization structure and relocates it to internal electronic components (circuit breakers, fuses, TVS diodes) integrated within the electronic equipment itself. This allows the aircraft structure to remain lightweight composite material while still providing lightning protection through internal electronic protection mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces intermediary protection components (TVS diodes, circuit breakers, fuses) that act as mediators between the lightning overvoltage threat and the electronic equipment. These components absorb, limit, or interrupt overvoltage surges, protecting the equipment without requiring heavy external metallization.
2Adaptability or versatility
If standard electronic equipment is used in composite aircraft without ESN, then equipment compatibility is improved, but protection capability against high power surges is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements preliminary protection actions by integrating protection components (circuit breakers, fuses, TVS diodes) directly into the electronic equipment before exposure to lightning surges. These components are pre-configured to automatically activate when overvoltage or overcurrent conditions are detected, providing immediate protection without requiring external metallization or modifying the aircraft structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The protection system is self-service in that it is integrated within the electronic equipment itself, allowing the equipment to protect itself against lightning-induced overvoltages. The circuit breakers, fuses, and TVS diodes automatically detect and respond to surge conditions without external intervention, enabling standard equipment to be used in composite aircraft with adequate protection.
3Reliability
If static circuit-breaking components are used for protection, then protection function is achieved, but maintenance operations increase due to replacement after tripping
Solution Approach 1:
The invention incorporates feedback mechanisms through microcontrollers that monitor the status of protection components (circuit breakers, fuses, TVS diodes) and provide real-time information about their operational state. This allows the system to detect when a component has tripped or failed and communicate this status to the aircraft's maintenance system, enabling condition-based maintenance rather than replacement after every trip event.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces purely mechanical static circuit breakers with intelligent protection systems that include electronic monitoring and communication capabilities. The microcontrollers and sensors integrated into the protection components allow for digital status reporting and reduced maintenance intervention, substituting mechanical replacement operations with electronic diagnostics and condition monitoring.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively protects electronic equipment onboard aircraft from lightning-induced overvoltages by actively limiting current, reducing weight and maintenance costs, and maintaining compatibility with standard equipment, while being adaptable to various power levels and polarity conditions.
Implementation Method 1
configured to supply a control signal for controlling the semiconductors of the power circuit allowing to limit the electric current in the power circuit
Data Source
AI summary
A device for protecting an electronic equipment item, configured to limit the electric current between an electric power generator and an electronic equipment item consuming electric power. The device includes a control circuit connected to a power circuit, the power circuit including power semiconductors, the power circuit being able to be connected in series between the electric power generator and the electronic equipment item. The control circuit includes event detection modules, a current setpoint variation module, and a control module for controlling the power semiconductors, configured to supply a control signal for limiting the electric current in the power circuit as a function of the current limitation setpoint signal.