Aircraft Wiring Shield Venting for EMI and Thermal Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Delivering high electrical power efficiently in aircraft propulsion systems is challenging due to the need to manage electromagnetic interference (EMI) and thermal issues, especially when components move relative to each other during flight.

Innovation Solution

An aircraft propulsion system with an electromagnetic shielding arrangement that encloses wiring to block EMI and includes a gap for airflow to cool the wiring, allowing air to flow in and out to manage thermal issues while accommodating relative movement between components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If wiring is enclosed in a continuous shield to block electromagnetic emissions, then electromagnetic shielding effectiveness is improved, but thermal management deteriorates due to trapped heat

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectromagnetic emissionsVSAvoidwiring temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The continuous shield is segmented into at least two separate shields with gaps between them. This segmentation allows the shield to block electromagnetic emissions while permitting air flow through the gaps for thermal management of the wiring inside the enclosure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the shielding structure have different properties: the shield surfaces provide electromagnetic blocking, while the gaps between shields provide thermal ventilation. This local differentiation of function resolves the contradiction between shielding effectiveness and heat dissipation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If shields are made rigid and fixed to maximize shielding effectiveness, then electromagnetic blocking is improved, but adaptability to relative movement deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectromagnetic emissionsVSAvoidaccommodation of relative movement
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The shielding arrangement incorporates dynamic elements that allow relative movement between shields while maintaining shielding effectiveness. The shields can move relative to each other to accommodate changes in distance between aircraft components during flight, while the gaps between shields maintain both EMI blocking and thermal management functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Temperature

If gap size is increased to improve airflow for cooling, then thermal management is improved, but electromagnetic shielding effectiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewiring temperatureVSAvoidelectromagnetic emissions
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The dimensions of the gaps are carefully controlled within specific ranges that balance thermal management and electromagnetic shielding. The gap size and configuration are optimized to provide sufficient airflow for cooling while maintaining adequate electromagnetic blocking performance for the specific application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The solution effectively reduces electromagnetic emissions, prevents overheating of the wiring, and accommodates the relative movement of components, thereby enhancing the reliability and efficiency of the aircraft propulsion system.

Implementation Method 1

the gap is configured to enable air to flow into or out of the enclosure via the gap, wherein the gap is configured to enable air to flow into the enclosure via the gap and into contact with the wiring, thereby cooling the wiring

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 2

an electromagnetic shielding arrangement which provides an enclosure around the wiring and is configured to block electromagnetic emissions from the wiring

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic shielding: Faraday Cage

Data Source

PatentEP4186798B1Shielding arrangement for aircraft wiring
Publication Date: 2025.06.04 AIRBUS (SAS)
  • EP4186798B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4186798B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4186798B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

An aircraft comprising: wiring configured to carry electrical power (15a,b,c); and an electromagnetic shielding arrangement which provides an enclosure around the wiring and is configured to block electromagnetic emissions from the wiring. The electromagnetic shielding arrangement comprises: a first shield (20); a second shield (21) which can move relative to the first shield (20); and a gap between overlapping portions of the shields. The gap is configured to enable air to flow into or out of the enclosure via the gap.