Brushless Aircraft Engine Power Transmission via Electromagnetic Coupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aircraft engine technologies face reliability and maintenance issues due to the use of brush devices for transmitting electric power to adjustable blades, which are heavy, bulky, and require frequent maintenance, and rotating transformers are cumbersome and power-intensive.

Innovation Solution

An aircraft engine design featuring a stator with field windings and armature windings on counter-rotating rotors, allowing for the generation of electric power through synchronous generators without brushes, with a control unit managing direct or alternating current to power adjustable blades and anti-icing devices, and utilizing a permanent magnet generator for autonomy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a brush device is used to transmit electric power to the rotor, then electric power can be transmitted to the actuator, but the device becomes heavy, bulky, and requires frequent maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of power transmissionVSAvoidweight of power transmission device

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical brush-based power transmission system with an electromagnetic field-based system. Field windings on the stator and armature windings on the rotor create magnetic coupling that transfers power without mechanical contact, eliminating brushes and their associated maintenance issues while reducing weight and improving reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces magnetic fields as an intermediary between the stator and rotor for power transmission. The field windings and armature windings establish magnetic coupling that acts as a mediator to transfer electrical energy across the air gap without direct mechanical connection, resolving the contradiction between reliable power transmission and reduced maintenance requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a rotating transformer is used to feed power to the rotor, then electric power can be transmitted, but the device becomes heavy and bulky

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower transmission capabilityVSAvoidvolume of power transmission device

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the bulky rotating transformer with an electromagnetic induction system using field windings and armature windings. This substitution eliminates the need for a physical rotating transformer while achieving the same power transmission function through magnetic coupling, thereby reducing device volume and weight

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The field windings on the stator serve multiple functions: they create the magnetic field for power transmission to both rotors simultaneously and enable bidirectional power transfer. This multi-functionality reduces the overall system complexity and volume compared to using separate rotating transformers for each rotor

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If a fixed stator electric engine is used to orient blades, then the electric engine can drive the blades, but the fixed part cannot be positioned freely, involving design restrictions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblade orientation capabilityVSAvoiddesign flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional electric motor configuration by making the stator field windings fixed and the rotor armature windings rotating. This inversion allows the stationary part (stator) to remain in any position without affecting operation, while the rotating part ( rotor) carries the blades. The magnetic coupling enables blade orientation without constraining the stator position, resolving the design flexibility issue

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 eliminates the need for heavy and bulky power transmission devices, reduces maintenance requirements, and allows for efficient power distribution to rotors, even at low speeds, with a compact control unit that minimizes mass and thermal losses.

Implementation Method 1

the first field winding and/or with the second armature winding, the first field winding forms a synchronous generator producing electric power available at the rotor level

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a control unit capable of causing direct electric current to flow in said first field winding

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetism: Electromagnet

Data Source

PatentUS9458729B2Electric power supply for apparatuses supported by the rotor of an aircraft engine

Publication Date: 2016.10.04 SAFRAN ELECTRICAL & POWER

AI summary

An aircraft engine including: a stator; a main shaft; a first rotor; a second rotor; a transmission mechanism; a first electrical apparatus supported by the first rotor and a second electrical apparatus supported by the second rotor; at least one first field winding supported by the stator; a control unit configured to circulate direct electric current in the first field winding; at least one first armature winding supported by the first rotor and connected to the first electrical apparatus and at least one second armature winding supported by the second rotor and connected to the second electrical apparatus.