Dual-Channel Aircraft AC Power Sharing for Fault-Tolerant Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional commercial aircraft AC power distribution systems lack robustness and redundancy, particularly in hybrid-electric propulsion systems, where efficient and safe transition of electrical power between electric machines is challenging, especially in cases of generation failure.
Innovation Solution
An AC electrical system with two electric machines coupled to respective spools of a gas turbine engine, featuring power converters and connection links for bidirectional power transfer, enabling smooth power sharing and fault-tolerant operation between the machines and electrical loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional AC power distribution system is used in hybrid-electric propulsion, then the system structure is simple, but the system lacks robustness and redundancy for safe operation
Solution Approach 1:
The power distribution system is divided into two independent electrical channels (first and second channels), each with its own electric machine, electrical bus, and power converter. This segmentation provides redundancy and robustness, as each channel can independently supply power to electrical loads, ensuring continuous operation even if one channel fails.
Solution Approach 2:
Each electrical channel is designed to be multi-functional, capable of independently powering all electrical loads in the system. The first and second electric machines can each serve as primary or backup power sources, and the power converters enable flexible power routing between channels and loads, providing universal power supply capability across different operating conditions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If bidirectional power transfer between electric machines is enabled, then power sharing and fault tolerance are improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional power converters and connection links
Solution Approach 1:
Power converters are introduced as intermediary devices between the electrical channels and the electrical loads. These converters enable controlled bidirectional power transfer, allowing power to flow from either the first or second electric machine to the loads, and enabling power sharing between channels. The converters act as mediators that manage the complexity of bidirectional power flow while providing adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic power routing through controllable connection links and power converters that can adjust power flow in real-time based on operating conditions. The connection links between electrical channels can be selectively activated or deactivated, and the power converters dynamically adjust their operation to enable flexible power sharing and maintain system adaptability under varying load and generation conditions.
3Reliability
If electrical power can be transferred between channels, then fault tolerance is improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring power flow increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates monitoring and control mechanisms that provide feedback on power flow between channels and to electrical loads. The power converters and connection links are equipped with sensors and control systems that detect power flow conditions, enabling the system to respond to changes in real-time. This feedback capability facilitates fault detection and measurement despite the complex bidirectional power transfer between channels.
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 system provides efficient, safe, and redundant power distribution, minimizing modifications to existing systems, and ensuring continuous operation by enabling power assist and fail-safe transitions between electric machines.
Implementation Method 1
a first electric machine mechanically coupled with a first spool of a gas turbine engine and a second electric machine mechanically coupled with a second spool of the gas turbine engine
Implementation Method 2
one or more power converters for selectively electrically coupling the first and second electrical channels
Data Source
AI summary
An AC electrical system for a vehicle and methods of operating the same are provided. In one aspect, an AC electrical system includes a first electric machine mechanically coupled with a first spool of a gas turbine engine and a second electric machine mechanically coupled with a second spool of the gas turbine engine. The system also includes a first AC bus and a second AC bus. A first electrical channel electrically couples the first electric machine to the first AC bus and a second electrical channel electrically couples the second electric machine to the second AC bus. The system also includes one or more connection links and one or more power converters for selectively electrically coupling the first and second electrical channels so that electrical power generated by one electric machine can be converted and shared with the other electric machine and electrical loads of the other channel.