Aircraft Propulsion Electrical Layout for EMI and Space Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aircraft propulsion systems lack an efficient and optimized electrical system configuration that effectively manages high and low power electrical components, leading to potential electromagnetic interference and inefficient use of space.

Innovation Solution

A configuration that separates high and low power electrical components by arranging them on opposite lateral sides of the fan case, with electrical lines running in parallel through a bifurcation, minimizing electromagnetic interference and optimizing space utilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If high and low power electrical components are arranged together in the same space, then space utilization is improved, but electromagnetic interference increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidelectromagnetic interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical system is segmented into distinct high power and low power zones, with high power components arranged on one lateral side of the fan case and low power components on the opposite lateral side. This spatial segmentation reduces electromagnetic interference while maintaining efficient space utilization through the bifurcation structure that allows both zones to coexist in the same overall housing space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Area of stationary object

If electrical lines are routed through a bifurcation structure, then space utilization is optimized, but routing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidrouting complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bifurcation structure utilizes radial and circumferential dimensions to route electrical lines efficiently. By transitioning from a single-dimensional linear path to a two-dimensional radial-circumferential path through the bifurcation, the design optimizes space utilization while the standardized bifurcation geometry simplifies the routing process rather than increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If high power electrical components are isolated from low power components, then electromagnetic interference is reduced, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectromagnetic interferenceVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The high power and low power electrical systems are merged into a unified architecture that shares common infrastructure such as the fan case housing and bifurcation routing structure. This merging approach reduces overall system complexity by eliminating the need for separate independent systems while still maintaining electromagnetic isolation through strategic spatial arrangement on opposite lateral sides.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4596858A1Electrical system for aircraft propulsion system
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 RTX CORP
  • EP4596858A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4596858A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4596858A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system for an aircraft includes a fan rotor (46), an engine core (70), a fan case (64), a core case (62), a bifurcation (158), an inner electrical system (148), an outer electrical system (150) and multiple electrical lines electrically coupling the inner electrical system (148) to the outer electrical system (150). The engine core (70) is configured to drive rotation of the fan rotor (46) about an axis (26). The inner electrical system (148) is arranged with the engine core (70). The outer electrical system (150) is mounted to the fan case (64). The electrical lines extend between and electrically couple the inner electrical system (148) to the outer electrical system (150). The electrical lines run in parallel along one another radially through the bifurcation (158). A first set of the plurality of electrical lines extends in a first direction circumferentially along the fan case (64) away from the bifurcation (158), a second set of the plurality of electrical lines extends in a second direction circumferentially along the fan case (64) away from the bifurcation (158).