High-Voltage Battery Air Start Unit for Jet Engines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ground starting devices for aircraft jet engines face challenges in reducing emissions, noise, and energy consumption, necessitating the development of a more efficient and environmentally friendly solution for starting and maintaining jet engines.
Innovation Solution
A ground starting device powered by a high-voltage battery, utilizing electric motors and inverters to generate compressed air, with a charge controller for efficient energy storage and a voltage converter for aircraft electrical supply, and incorporating noise-reducing and thermally insulated housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If a fuel-powered gas turbine or diesel-driven compressor is used to generate compressed air, then the starting function is achieved, but emissions and noise increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the fuel-powered mechanical system (gas turbine or diesel engine) with an electric motor system. The electric motor drives the compressor directly, eliminating combustion processes that generate emissions and noise. This substitution of the prime mover from a thermal engine to an electric motor resolves the contradiction by removing the harmful factors while maintaining the energy conversion function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the energy source parameter from chemical energy (fuel) to electrical energy. By using a high-voltage battery as the energy source instead of fuel, the system achieves zero emissions and reduced noise while providing sufficient power for compressor operation. This parameter change in the energy source type resolves the technical contradiction.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a high-voltage battery is used to power the compressor, then emissions and noise are reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into the ground starting device: the high-voltage battery system not only powers the compressor for air generation but also provides electrical power to the aircraft's electrical consumers. The inverter system serves dual purposes by converting battery DC to AC for both motor drive and electrical power supply. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity despite the addition of battery components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the air starting function and electrical power supply function into a single integrated system. The high-voltage battery, inverter, and compressor are merged into one ground starting device that performs both compressed air generation and electrical power provision, reducing the need for separate systems and thereby managing complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple components (compressor, inverter, battery, charge controller) are integrated, then functionality is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the system into distinct functional modules: high-voltage battery module, inverter module, compressor module, and charge controller module. Each module is independently designed and can be independently maintained or replaced. This segmentation manages complexity by creating modular units with clear interfaces, making the overall complex system more manageable and adaptable.
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 enables low-emission, low-noise, and low-energy consumption operation, with efficient energy storage and supply, effectively starting and maintaining jet engines while reducing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
the compressor (1) is driven by an electric motor (2), which is operated using direct current (DC) from a high-voltage battery (5)
Implementation Method 2
Using at least one inverter, the direct current (DC) supplied by the high-voltage battery can be converted into single- or multi-phase alternating current (AC) and thus used to operate electric motors
Implementation Method 3
the compressor (1) is driven by an electric motor (2), which is operated using direct current (DC) from a high-voltage battery (5)
Implementation Method 4
at least one compressor (1) for generating compressed air
Implementation Method 5
a charge controller that regulates the charging process of the high-voltage battery. Electrical energy can be fed into this charge controller, and this energy is then supplied to the high-voltage battery
Implementation Method 6
a voltage converter for aircraft electrical supply
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
Air start unit for starting and servicing jet engines in aircraft and other flying machines, wherein at least one compressor (1) is provided for generating air and a power supply (10) for supplying electrical power consumers. The proposed air start unit drives the compressor with at least one electric motor (2), with the electric motor drawing the electrical energy for operation from a high-voltage battery (5). The electric motors then in turn drive the compressor, which generates compressed air from ambient air for the purpose of starting and servicing the jet engines in aircraft and other flying machines. With an appropriate battery capacity, the air start unit can also supply power to electrical power consumers of these aircraft and other flying machines via the power supply.