Aircraft Structural Elements with Low-Conductivity Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of composite materials in aircraft aerodynamic envelopes reduces weight but compromises electrical conductivity, necessitating additional shielding and cables, which increases weight and complicates production, while existing solutions like wire cloth or metal strips are unsatisfactory in maintaining Faraday cage functionality.
Innovation Solution
Aircraft structural elements, partly metallic, incorporate an interface with low electrical conductivity at the connection to the aerodynamic envelope, forming an electrical path for current return and metallization, eliminating the need for additional cables and maintaining Faraday cage functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If composite materials are used for the aerodynamic envelope to reduce weight, then weight is reduced, but electrical conductivity is lost requiring additional shielding cables
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the structural support function with the electrical conduction function into a single integrated component. The metallic structural elements serve both as mechanical support and as electrical pathways for current return and system metallization, eliminating the need for separate shielding cables and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The metallic structural elements are designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: providing structural support, enabling electrical current return, and ensuring metallization of electrical systems. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed and simplifies the overall electrical system architecture.
2Reliability
If wire cloth or metal sheet is introduced to reform Faraday cage, then Faraday cage functionality is restored, but production complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the Faraday cage functionality with the existing structural framework by using the metallic structural elements themselves as the conductive network. This integration eliminates the need for separate wire cloth or metal sheet installations, thereby restoring Faraday cage protection without complicating the manufacturing process.
3Reliability
If metal strips are placed at junctions outside envelope with conductive connecting elements, then Faraday cage is reformed, but production complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the Faraday cage conductive elements with the existing metallic structural framework, eliminating the need for additional external metal strips and conductive connecting elements. This integration maintains Faraday cage protection while avoiding the weight penalty of redundant conductive components.
4Reliability
If additional electrical cables are added to ensure current return and metallization, then electrical functions are maintained, but on-board weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the electrical current return pathway and system metallization functions with the metallic structural elements. This integration eliminates the need for separate electrical cables, maintaining full electrical system functionality while reducing on-board weight by removing redundant conductive components.
Solution Approach 2:
The metallic structural elements are designed to perform multiple electrical functions simultaneously, including current return and system metallization, replacing the need for dedicated electrical cables and reducing overall system weight.
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 solution reduces on-board weight by eliminating the need for additional electrical cables and maintains equivalent Faraday cage protection, simplifying production and ensuring effective electrical system protection.
Implementation Method 1
form at least one electrical path that ensures the functions of electric return and metallization of the electrical systems
Implementation Method 2
maintain an equivalent Faraday cage protection
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft includes a structure with structural elements (16) that are assembled to form a three-dimensional framework to which an aerodynamic envelope (14) is attached. At least some structural elements (16) are at least partly metallic and—at the connection with the aerodynamic envelope (14)—including an interface that is made of material that has a conductivity that is below a threshold on the order of 10,000 S/m so as to form at least one electrical path that ensures the functions of electric return and metallization of the electrical systems, whereby connections that ensure the electrical conduction are provided between the structural elements (16).