Distributed FADEC Configuration via Digital Bus and Data Plug
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Solution Overview
Problem
Small aircraft engines face significant weight penalties and complexity due to the need for heavy, shielded cables and large FADEC systems, which limit their functionality and require extensive certification for each unique engine/airframe combination.
Innovation Solution
A distributed FADEC system using a digital bus to connect an airframe data concentrator to an electronic engine controller, reducing cable weight and bulk, and shifting some FADEC functionality to the airframe, where it can be more effectively handled, along with configuration via a data entry plug for efficient data storage and recall.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a large FADEC with extensive data storage is used to accommodate all engine/airframe combinations, then adaptability is improved, but weight and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic configuration where the ADC can be programmed with different control schedules and parameters for various engine/airframe combinations. This allows a single lightweight FADEC to adapt to multiple configurations through software rather than hardware variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The ADC is designed as a universal data concentrator that can handle multiple sensor types and configurations. By centralizing data collection and processing in the airframe, the same ADC unit can serve multiple engine/airframe combinations through reconfiguration rather than requiring dedicated hardware for each application.
2Reliability
If heavy, shielded cables are used to ensure signal integrity, then reliability is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces heavy mechanical analog cable connections with a digital communication bus. The digital bus uses lightweight wiring with differential signaling or other digital protocols that provide inherent noise rejection, maintaining signal integrity without requiring heavy shielding.
Solution Approach 2:
The digital bus acts as an intermediary communication medium that replaces direct analog cable connections. This mediator enables reliable data transmission between the EEC and ADC using digital protocols that are inherently more resistant to electromagnetic interference, eliminating the need for heavy shielded cables.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for configuring a full authority digital engine controller (FADEC) (16,116; 216; 316; 416) for use with an engine (12; 112; 212; 312; 412) and an airframe (14; 114; 214; 314; 414) combination. The system includes the FADEC and a data entry plug (342; 442). The FADEC includes an electronic engine controller (EEC) (20; 120; 320; 420) attached to the engine, an airframe data concentrator (ADC) (18; 118; 318; 418) attached to the airframe, and a digital bus (22; 122; 322; 422) electrically connecting the ADC to the EEC. The ADC includes a data storage device (338; 438) and a data entry plug socket (340; 440). The data entry plug includes electrical components configured for the engine and the airframe combination. The data entry plug is inserted into the data entry plug socket to direct the ADC to recall configuration data from the data storage device for the engine and the airframe combination and send the configuration data over the digital bus to the EEC.