Distributed Airship Propulsion Bus Layout for Native Redundancy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing airship propulsion systems face complexity and redundancy issues due to the need for electrical reconfiguration in case of power unit failures, which can lead to propagation of defects and increased weight and development costs.
Innovation Solution
An airship with a propulsion system featuring multiple electric power generators and buses, where each propulsion point is connected to two generators via separate electric buses, allowing for dynamic reconnection without reconfiguration and providing inherent redundancy, reducing the complexity and weight of the electrical equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If backup electrical circuits are provided for redundancy, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the backup electrical circuit functionality into the main electrical buses by establishing multiple connection paths from each propulsion point to multiple generators. The same electrical buses that carry nominal power also serve as backup paths, eliminating the need for separate backup circuits. This is achieved through a reconfigurable power distribution architecture where each propulsion point can be supplied by any available generator through the shared electrical bus network.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical buses are designed to perform multiple functions: they serve as both main power distribution paths and backup power paths. The same electrical infrastructure is used for both nominal operation and fault tolerance, making the system more efficient by avoiding dedicated backup circuits that would only be used during failures.
2Reliability
If separate backup circuits are implemented, then reliability is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines backup circuit functionality with the main electrical infrastructure. The same electrical buses and connection elements are used for both normal power distribution and backup power supply, eliminating the need for separate backup wiring harnesses, connectors, and protection devices that would add weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical buses are designed to universally serve both as primary power distribution paths and as backup paths. This multi-functionality reduces the total amount of electrical infrastructure needed, thereby reducing weight while maintaining redundancy capabilities.
3Reliability
If reconfiguration circuits with actuators are provided, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the reconfiguration capability into the existing power distribution control architecture. The same control systems that manage nominal power distribution also handle fault detection and reconfiguration, eliminating the need for separate reconfiguration control circuits and actuators.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates self-diagnostic and self-reconfiguration capabilities where the control architecture automatically detects faults and reconfigures power distribution without requiring separate reconfiguration actuators or complex control circuits. The existing power management system performs both nominal operation control and fault tolerance management.
4Reliability
If multiple separate electrical buses are used for redundancy, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges backup functionality into the existing electrical bus architecture, eliminating the need to manufacture and install separate backup wiring harnesses, connectors, and protection devices. The same electrical buses are used for both nominal and backup power distribution, reducing manufacturing complexity and development costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical bus design provides universal functionality for both primary and backup power distribution, reducing the total quantity of electrical components that need to be manufactured and integrated. This multi-use approach lowers development costs while maintaining redundancy.
Data Source
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AI summary
An airship comprising: a plurality of electric power generators (G1, G2, G3, G4); a plurality of electrical buses (Bus 1, Bus 2, Bus 3, Bus 4); a plurality of propulsion points (PXt, PXb, PY, PZbt, PZbb, PZst, PZsb) each equipped with a propellant bundle formed from a plurality of thrusters (Xt1, Xt2, Xt3, Xt4, Xt5, Xt6; Xb1, Xb2, Xb3, Xb4, Xb5, Xb6; Y1, Y2, Y3, Y4; Zbt1, Zbt2, Zbt3, Zbt4; Zbb1, Zbb2 Zbb3, Zbb4; Zst1, Zst2, Zst3, Zst4; Zsb1, Zsb2 Zsb3, Zsb4) of the electric-motor-driven propeller type. For each of the propulsion points, a thruster is electrically connected to one of the generators by means of one of the electrical buses, and another thruster of the propulsion point is electrically connected to another of the generators by means of another of the electrical buses.