Shared Power Supply for Aircraft Ice Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern aircraft face challenges with the weight, complexity, and energy efficiency of electrical power systems used for thermal management and ice protection, leading to increased fuel consumption and maintenance costs due to dedicated power circuits for compressors and ice protection devices.
Innovation Solution
An electrical network that shares a variable power supply circuit between compressor motors and ice protection devices, using a switching device to allocate power based on altitude and icing conditions, eliminating the need for separate power circuits for ice protection devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate dedicated power supply circuits are used for electrical anti-icing devices, then reliability and independent control are improved, but device complexity, onboard mass, and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the power supply for electrical anti-icing devices with the existing variable power supply circuit used for compressor motors. The switching device allows the same power supply circuit to serve both functions at different times, eliminating the need for separate dedicated power supply circuits while maintaining independent control when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The variable power supply circuit is designed to be universal, capable of powering both compressor motors and electrical anti-icing devices. The switching device enables this circuit to adapt its function based on flight conditions, serving as a multi-functional power source that reduces overall system complexity.
2Reliability
If separate dedicated power supply circuits are used for electrical anti-icing devices, then independent operation is improved, but onboard mass increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the power supply functions into a single shared circuit, eliminating redundant power supply hardware and reducing onboard mass. The switching device enables this shared circuit to serve both anti-icing devices and compressor motors without requiring separate dedicated circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The variable power supply circuit is designed as a universal power source that can power different loads (compressor motors or anti-icing devices) based on flight conditions. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional power supply hardware, directly reducing onboard mass.
3Reliability
If separate dedicated power supply circuits are used for electrical anti-icing devices, then independent control is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the power supply functions into a single shared variable power supply circuit, allowing the system to optimize energy distribution based on actual flight conditions. This eliminates the energy waste associated with maintaining separate dedicated power supply circuits that may not always be needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal variable power supply circuit can dynamically allocate power to different loads based on flight phase and icing conditions. This optimizes energy consumption by using the same power source for different functions only when necessary, rather than maintaining continuous separate power supplies.
4Reliability
If separate dedicated power supply circuits are used for electrical anti-icing devices, then system reliability is improved, but maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges power supply functions into a single shared circuit, reducing the total number of components that require maintenance. Fewer separate power supply circuits mean fewer potential failure points and lower maintenance costs, while the switching device maintains system reliability through controlled power allocation.
5Reliability
If separate dedicated power supply circuits are used for electrical anti-icing devices, then independent operation is improved, but fuel consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines power supply functions into a single shared circuit, reducing the total energy required to operate both compressor motors and anti-icing devices. This consolidation eliminates redundant power conversion and distribution losses, directly reducing fuel consumption while maintaining independent operation when needed through the switching device.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to an aircraft electrical network comprising an electrical device (28, 29) for protecting an outer surface of the aircraft from frost, which is suitable for being able to be supplied with power by a shared electrical power supply (24b, 24d, 24e) that is linked to an electric motor of a compressor of a thermal management device (25, 26, 27) via a switching device (37) to which an electrical frost protection device (28, 29) is also linked. If the altitude criteria of the aircraft are met, the switching device (37) is placed in a state in which the shared electrical power supply (24b, 24d, 24e) is electrically connected to at least one electrical frost protection device (28, 29). The invention extends to a method for distributing electricity for a shared electrical power supply on board an aircraft.