Aircraft Engine Auxiliary System Inverter Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
The control unit for a motor generator in aircraft engines increases in size and weight due to the integration of both inverter and converter functions, necessitating a reduction in device size and weight while maintaining functionality.
Innovation Solution
A separate inverter and converter configuration allows for efficient sharing of the inverter between motor generator and auxiliary device motor, eliminating the need for a dedicated inverter for the motor generator, with a switch controlling the operational states to optimize power usage based on engine rotational frequency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If both inverter function and converter function are integrated into a single control unit, then the control functionality is complete, but the device size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the control system into separate functional units: an inverter unit for motor generator control and a converter unit for power generation control. This segmentation allows each unit to be optimized independently, reducing the overall size and weight compared to an integrated design while maintaining complete control functionality for both inverter and converter operations.
2Reliability
If a dedicated inverter is provided for motor generator, then the motor generator control is reliable, but the device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal inverter unit that can function as both a dedicated motor generator inverter and an auxiliary device motor inverter. The inverter unit switches between these modes based on operational requirements, providing reliable motor generator control while eliminating the need for separate dedicated inverters, thus reducing device 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 configuration reduces the overall size and weight of the control device while ensuring efficient engine operation by switching between motor generator and auxiliary device motor control states, preventing engine rotational frequency from falling below ignition thresholds and stabilizing idling frequencies.
Implementation Method 1
a motor generator (3) configured to drive the aircraft engine (2)
Implementation Method 2
a converter (6) configured to convert electric power generated by the motor generator (3)
Implementation Method 3
an inverter (7) provided separately from the converter (6) and configured to drive the motor generator (3) and the auxiliary device motor (5)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An auxiliary device system includes a motor generator, an auxiliary device motor, a converter configured to convert electric power generated by the motor generator, an inverter configured to drive the motor generator and the auxiliary device motor, a switch configured to be switched between a motor generator control state in which the inverter controls the motor generator and an auxiliary device motor control state in which the inverter controls the auxiliary device motor, and a controller configured to control the switch. When a condition in which a motor generator drive command is generated is satisfied, the controller sets the switch to the motor generator control state. When the condition is not satisfied, the controller sets the switch to the auxiliary device motor control state.