Aircraft Electrical Architecture With Integrated Cooling Plate

Solution Overview

Problem

Current aircraft electrical architectures are costly and heavy due to the use of multiple dedicated power electronics for various loads, leading to inefficiencies in energy management and cooling, particularly in helicopters where electromagnetic disturbances and weight are significant concerns.

Innovation Solution

An electrical architecture where power electronics for propulsion engine starters and refrigeration compressors are connected, allowing for shared power supply and integrated cooling through a refrigeration circuit, reducing equipment count and optimizing energy use by dedicating power electronics to the compressor once the engine is started, thus reducing weight, cost, and energy consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If dedicated power electronics are used for each electrical load, then each load can be reliably controlled, but the number of power electronics increases leading to increased weight and cost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload control reliabilityVSAvoidaircraft weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The power electronics unit is designed to perform multiple functions: it can supply power to the compressor motor during normal operation and also function as a starter motor for starting the propulsion engine. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated power electronics for each load, reducing overall weight while maintaining reliable control of both the compressor and engine starter.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If dedicated power electronics are used for each electrical load, then each load can be reliably controlled, but the number of power electronics increases leading to increased cost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload control reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The power electronics unit is designed to perform multiple functions: it can supply power to the compressor motor during normal operation and also function as a starter motor for starting the propulsion engine. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated power electronics for each load, reducing overall weight while maintaining reliable control of both the compressor and engine starter.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Temperature

If power electronics are placed in the avionics zone with cooling systems, then cooling is provided, but the electronics are far from the loads leading to increased electromagnetic disturbances and cable requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower electronics coolingVSAvoidelectromagnetic disturbances

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The power electronics unit is physically integrated with the compressor, forming a combined assembly. This merging places the power electronics in close proximity to the compressor motor, reducing electromagnetic interference and minimizing cable requirements, while the integrated design allows for direct cooling of the power electronics by the refrigeration circuit fluid.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple dedicated power electronics are used, then each load is independently controlled, but the overall energy consumption and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload control flexibilityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The power electronics unit is designed to perform multiple functions: it can supply power to the compressor motor during normal operation and also function as a starter motor for starting the propulsion engine. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated power electronics for each load, reducing overall weight while maintaining reliable control of both the compressor and engine starter.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 the number of power electronics needed, simplifies connections, minimizes electromagnetic interference, and provides effective cooling, resulting in a lighter, less costly, and more energy-efficient aircraft electrical system.

Implementation Method 1

it comprises a cooling plate arranged so as to allow heat exchange between the power electronics and a fluid from a refrigeration circuit associated with a compressor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentEP3190282B1Electrical architecture of an aircraft comprising a cooling plate

Publication Date: 2018.11.28 LIEBHERR AEROSPACE TOULOUSE

Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4a~4b

AI summary

The invention relates to an electrical architecture of an aircraft comprising at least one propulsion engine (12a, 12b), said architecture comprising an on-board electrical network (13), and at least one group (14a, 14b) of electrical loads comprising at least one electric starter (16a, 16b) of an aircraft propulsion engine (12a, 12b), and a compressor (18a, 18b) of a refrigeration circuit (20a, 20b) powered by power electronics (22a, 22b) from the on-board electrical network (13). The architecture is characterized in that, for each group (14a, 14b) of loads, said power electronics (22a, 22b) of the compressor (18a, 18b) are connected to the electric starter (16a, 16b) so as to permit a start of said associated propulsion motor (12a, 12b), it includes a cooling plate arranged so as to permit heat exchange between the power electronics (22a, 22b) and a fluid of a refrigeration circuit (20a, 20b).