DC Power Channel Switching for Fault-Tolerant Aircraft Loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical power systems in aerospace, particularly in more electric and hybrid electric aircraft, face challenges in ensuring fault-tolerant distribution of electrical power, which can lead to hazardous fault conditions and system certification issues.
Innovation Solution
The proposed electrical power system includes one or more rotary electric machines mechanically coupled to gas turbine engine spools, converter circuits for AC-DC conversion, and a switching arrangement connecting multiple DC load channels to multiple DC power channels, with a controller managing power distribution to ensure fault tolerance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of stationary object
If a non-dedicated electrical power system is used to power multiple electrical loads, then efficiency is improved and weight is reduced, but fault tolerance deteriorates as faults can affect multiple loads
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical distribution system is segmented into multiple independent DC power channels (first DC power channel, second DC power channel, etc.) that can be independently controlled. Each channel can supply power to critical loads, and the segmentation allows isolation of faults to specific channels, preventing cascading failures across the entire system while maintaining overall system reliability.
2Reliability
If electrical loads are connected to multiple power channels through switching arrangement, then fault tolerance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The switching arrangement is designed with multi-functional capability to perform multiple operations: normal power distribution, fault isolation, load redistribution, and system reconfiguration. This universal switching system consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate control mechanisms, achieving fault tolerance and reliability improvements while limiting the increase in device complexity through functional integration.
3Reliability
If critical loads are connected to multiple DC power channels, then reliability is improved, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback control mechanisms that continuously monitor the status of DC power channels and automatically adjust power distribution. When faults are detected in one channel, the feedback system triggers automatic redistribution of power to critical loads through alternative channels, maintaining reliability while reducing control complexity through automated responses rather than manual intervention.
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 system ensures that critical electrical loads can function even if a fault occurs in the electrical generation or distribution system, and that faults in one load do not affect other loads, thereby enhancing system reliability and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a set of converter circuits connected to the one or more rotary electric machines for conversion between alternating current (ac) and direct current (dc)
Data Source
AI summary
Electrical power systems for distributing electrical power in arrangements including one or more gas turbine engines; one such system includes: one or more rotary electric machines coupled to a gas turbine engine spool; a set of converter circuits connected to the rotary electric machines converting between alternating current (ac) and direct current (dc), wherein the rotary electric machines and the converter circuits output a number R≥2 of dc power channels, each channel having an index r=(1, . . . , R); and a group of N dc load channels connected to the R dc power channels by a switching arrangement, wherein N>R and each dc load channel has an index n=(1, . . . , N). For each respective N load channels, a current limiting device (CLD) limits the current flowing from power channels to a load connectable to the electrical power system via the respective load channel.