Composite Aircraft Parts Carrying Fault Currents
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of composite materials in aircraft construction poses challenges for efficiently carrying fault currents due to their poor electrical conductivity, leading to complex and weight-increasing metal networks required for fault current paths, which complicate assembly and increase costs.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a fault current circuit that utilizes composite material parts connected via tight-fitting metal members to direct fault currents to a metal ground network, reducing the need for additional components and simplifying the current return network, while using a monitoring device to protect equipment from fault currents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a metal network is added to carry fault currents in composite material aircraft, then fault current carrying capability is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the fault current carrying function with the existing composite material structure itself. The composite material parts are designed to provide both structural support and fault current pathways, eliminating the need for separate metal networks. This merging of structural and electrical functions reduces weight while maintaining fault current carrying capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite material parts are designed to serve multiple functions: they provide structural support and simultaneously act as fault current carriers. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated metal bonding networks, reducing overall system weight and complexity.
2Reliability
If a complex metal network is implemented for fault current return, then fault current carrying capability is improved, but assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fault current return function into the existing composite material structure. By designing the composite parts to inherently provide fault current pathways, the need for separate assembly of metal bonding networks is eliminated, significantly reducing assembly time.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite material structure serves itself by providing both structural and electrical functions. The structure automatically provides fault current pathways through its inherent properties and design, eliminating the need for additional assembly operations to install separate bonding networks.
3Reliability
If metal components are added to provide electrical continuity in composite structures, then fault current carrying capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the electrical continuity function with the composite material structure itself. The composite parts are designed with embedded conductive elements or surface treatments that provide continuous electrical pathways, eliminating the need for separate metal bonding components and simplifying the overall system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials with integrated conductive properties. The composite structure incorporates conductive fibers, coatings, or treatments that provide electrical continuity throughout the structure, replacing complex metal bonding networks with a simpler integrated solution.
4Reliability
If a comprehensive metal bonding network is implemented, then fault current carrying capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fault current carrying function into the composite material manufacturing process itself. By incorporating conductive elements during composite fabrication or applying surface treatments as part of the manufacturing process, separate metal bonding network installation is eliminated, reducing labor and material costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite material structure provides its own fault current carrying capability through integrated conductive features. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate metal bonding components and assembly operations, significantly reducing manufacturing costs.
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 allows for efficient fault current carriage without increasing weight or assembly time, maintaining a simple and cost-effective electrical structure, and enables dedicated protection of each piece of equipment from fault currents without disrupting others.
Implementation Method 1
the contact member and the part satisfy the following equation: (v−e)/v≧0.0025. This relationship between the diameters ensures that the contact resistance is negligible.
Data Source
AI summary
The aircraft includes at least one piece of equipment and a composite material part to which the equipment is connected. It is arranged in such a manner that a fault current circuit of the equipment passes via the part.