Aircraft Power Distribution Segregation Architecture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft electrical power distribution systems lack flexibility to adapt to changing passenger cabin needs, particularly for loads related to passenger comfort and technology, while maintaining compliance with avionic certification standards, which are rigid and designed for high-power equipment.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic power distribution method and architecture that segregates and protects the primary electrical power network from cabin loads, allowing for flexible voltage and frequency conversion, and the use of auxiliary power units to supplement primary power, ensuring that power is distributed efficiently and safely without compromising the quality of the primary network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the primary electrical power distribution network is directly connected to cabin loads, then power distribution is simple, but the system lacks flexibility to adapt to changing cabin needs and cannot maintain avionic certification standards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the electrical power distribution system into two separate domains: a primary network domain for avionic equipment and a secondary network domain for cabin loads. This segmentation allows each domain to operate independently with its own characteristics, enabling the cabin network to adapt to changing loads without affecting the certified primary network, while maintaining clear boundaries through defined interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary interface between the primary and secondary networks that includes voltage converters and frequency converters. This intermediary layer transforms the standardized primary network parameters (115V/230V AC at 400Hz) into flexible secondary network parameters, allowing adaptation to various cabin load requirements while protecting the primary network from disturbances.
2Adaptability or versatility
If voltage and frequency conversion is implemented to enable flexible power distribution, then adaptability to different cabin loads improves, but system complexity and potential disturbances to the primary network increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs voltage converters and frequency converters as intermediary devices between the primary and secondary networks. These converters act as isolation barriers that prevent harmful disturbances, harmonics, and noise from cabin loads from propagating back to the primary network, while still enabling flexible voltage and frequency transformation to meet diverse cabin power requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the voltage conversion and frequency conversion functions from the primary power distribution system and places them in the secondary network domain. This extraction allows the primary network to maintain its certified parameters without being affected by conversion operations, while the secondary network gains the flexibility needed for various cabin applications.
3Reliability
If auxiliary power units are added to supplement primary power for cabin loads, then power availability and reliability improve, but system complexity and power management challenges increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic power management system that can adaptively control the operation of auxiliary power units based on real-time power availability from the primary network and the actual power demands of cabin loads. This dynamic approach allows the system to optimize the use of multiple power sources, ensuring reliable power supply while managing complexity through intelligent control rather than fixed configurations.
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
Enables flexible adaptation to changing cabin loads without compromising avionic certification, ensuring reliable and efficient power distribution to both technical and domestic loads while maintaining the integrity of the primary power network.
Implementation Method 1
converting and distributing this available electrical power to the cabin network depending on a suitable configuration of the loads of this cabin network
Implementation Method 2
converting and distributing this available electrical power to the cabin network depending on a suitable configuration of the loads of this cabin network
Data Source
AI summary
The method for on-board electrical power distribution according to the invention includes the producing a protected segregation interface (4A) between the primary distribution (2A) and the secondary distribution network for electrical power of the cabin system (30), referred to as the cabin network, so as to comply with the quality parameters for the primary distribution (2A); controlling the extraction of electrical power from the primary distribution (2A) by a cabin management system (G1, G2) depending on the availability of electrical power on this primary distribution (2A); converting and distributing this available electrical power in the cabin network (30) according to a suitable configuration of the loads (51, 52, 53) of this cabin network (30) and defined according to an electrical configuration of type, single/three-phase AC and DC, as well as of voltage level and frequency.