Aircraft Power Supply Generator Rectifier Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical power supply systems for aircraft engines are burdened by the need for complex and bulky voltage converters that must comply with harmonic and current inrush constraints, leading to increased mass and bulk, particularly when powering electromechanical thrust reverser actuators.

Innovation Solution

An electrical power supply circuit that integrates a power supply generator connected to an electromechanical inverter actuator via a rectifier, eliminating the need for a voltage converter and allowing for a simpler, lighter, and less constrained rectifier design, which can be a diode bridge, and includes a motor electronic regulation module to control power distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If a voltage converter is used to supply the electromechanical thrust reverser actuator from the distribution network, then the actuator can be powered, but the mass and bulk of the power supply system increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply capabilityVSAvoidmass of voltage converter
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the power supply functions for the de-icing circuit and the thrust reverser actuator into a single integrated system. The generator mounted on the transmission box directly supplies both the de-icing circuit and the actuator through a rectifier, eliminating the need for separate voltage converters and reducing overall system mass and bulk.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the actuator power supply function from the main distribution network and voltage converter system. By providing a dedicated power supply path from the generator through a rectifier directly to the actuator, the system removes the bulky voltage converter that would otherwise be required to interface with the distribution network.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Power

If a voltage converter is used to supply the electromechanical thrust reverser actuator, then the actuator can be powered, but the device complexity increases due to harmonic and current inrush constraints

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply capabilityVSAvoidcomplexity of voltage converter
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the actuator power supply function from the main distribution network and voltage converter system. By providing a dedicated power supply path from the generator through a rectifier directly to the actuator, the system removes the bulky voltage converter that would otherwise be required to interface with the distribution network.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of converting AC power from the distribution network to DC for the actuator through a complex voltage converter, the system inverts the approach by using a simple rectifier to convert the generator's AC output directly to DC for the actuator. This reversal of the power conversion path eliminates the need for complex voltage regulation and harmonic management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Adaptability or versatility

If voltage converters are dimensioned to supply all electrical equipment in the motor area, then all equipment can be powered, but the mass and bulk of the converters increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply coverageVSAvoidmass of voltage converters
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the power supply system into dedicated zones: the generator mounted on the transmission box directly supplies the de-icing circuit, while a separate power path through a rectifier supplies the thrust reverser actuator. This segmentation allows each component to be optimally sized for its specific function rather than requiring oversized converters to handle all possible loads.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the power supply functions for the de-icing circuit and the thrust reverser actuator into a single integrated system. The generator mounted on the transmission box directly supplies both the de-icing circuit and the actuator through a rectifier, eliminating the need for separate voltage converters and reducing overall system mass and bulk.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 mass and bulk of the power supply components, minimizes thermal losses, and avoids the need for complex harmonic and current inrush compliance, while enabling efficient power delivery to de-icing and anti-icing circuits and thrust reverser actuators.

Implementation Method 1

the power supply generator is connected to an electromechanical inverter actuator thrust via a rectifier to supply said actuator with DC voltage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRectification: Diode

Data Source

PatentEP2580122B1Electric feed system for aircraft de-icing system
Publication Date: 2016.04.06 LABINAL POWER SYST
  • EP2580122B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to an aircraft electrical power supply circuit including: an power distribution network (17), onboard the aircraft, for electrical devices (5b) located in an engine of the aircraft or near said engine; and a power supply generator (27) built into the engine of the aircraft so as to supply AC voltage power to a de-icing or anti-icing system (5a). Said aircraft power supply circuit is characterized in that the power supply generator (27) is connected to a thrust reverser electromechanical actuator (5c) by means of a rectifier (1) for supplying DC voltage power to said actuator.