Aircraft Air Duct Power and Light Transmission Without Wiring
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The weight of aircraft wiring contributes significantly to the overall weight of aircraft, limiting payload capacity and increasing fuel consumption, and existing systems for transmitting electrical power are inefficient and cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
An air duct system that transmits air, visible light, and electrical power using a thermoelectric generator and power harvesting circuits, eliminating the need for traditional wiring by converting light and radio frequency waves into electrical energy, and incorporating ultraviolet light for air sanitation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional wiring is used to transmit electrical power, then power transmission is reliable, but aircraft weight increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical electrical wiring system with an optical system using light transmission through the air duct. Optical fibers or light-guiding structures transmit power signals without requiring heavy copper or aluminum conductors, thereby reducing aircraft weight while maintaining power transmission capability through photodetectors that convert optical signals back to electrical signals
Solution Approach 2:
The air duct is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it transmits conditioned air for climate control, transmits light for power transmission and communication, and can be integrated with thermoelectric generators for energy harvesting. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate wiring harnesses, reducing overall system weight and complexity
2Reliability
If wiring is used to power electronic devices, then electrical power is delivered reliably, but fuel consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates thermoelectric generators within the air duct structure that convert thermal energy from the flowing air into electrical energy. By changing the operational parameters of the air duct from purely passive air transmission to active energy generation, the system reduces the electrical load on the aircraft's primary power system, thereby reducing fuel consumption
3Productivity
If traditional air ducts are used for air transmission, then air flow is efficient, but device complexity increases when adding power transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the air transmission function and light/power transmission function into a single integrated air duct structure. The optical fibers or light-guiding elements are embedded within the air duct walls, allowing both air flow and light transmission to occur simultaneously through the same physical structure without requiring separate conduits, thereby avoiding increased system complexity
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
This solution reduces aircraft weight by eliminating wiring, enhances fuel efficiency, and provides a lightweight method for sanitizing air, thereby improving payload capacity and reducing the risk of infectious disease transmission among passengers.
Implementation Method 1
directing the visible light along the reflective inner surface of the air duct, where the visible light reflects off of the reflective inner surface
Implementation Method 2
transforming, by a thermoelectric generator positioned along an outer surface of the air duct, the heat generated as the visible light impinges against the reflective inner surface of the air duct into electrical energy
Implementation Method 3
emitting radio frequency waves by an emitter, where the radio frequency waves are directed along the reflective inner surface of the air duct
Implementation Method 4
receiving the radio frequency waves by one or more antennas, where the one or more antennas are each connected to a corresponding power harvesting circuit
Data Source
AI summary
An air duct system includes an air duct having a main body. The main body of the air duct defines a passageway and an outer surface. The air duct system also includes one or more thermoelectric generators. Each thermoelectric generator includes a hot side and a cold side, and the hot side of the thermoelectric generator is positioned along the outer surface of the air duct.