Hybrid Electrical Power Distribution Network for Aircraft

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Solution Overview

Problem

The complexity and inflexibility of electrical power and data communication harnesses in aircraft make it difficult to modify or add equipment during production or after delivery, leading to increased weight, cost, and complexity, as well as challenges in maintaining independence of power supply in case of failures.

Innovation Solution

A hybrid electrical power distribution and data communication network using a set of buses with segregated paths and modular elements, allowing for easy addition or repositioning of electrical equipment items without modifying the infrastructure, and providing independent power supply to each bus to prevent common failures from affecting the entire system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional cable harnesses are used for electrical power distribution and data communication, then the system can be implemented, but the harnesses become increasingly complex, voluminous and heavier

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical power distributionVSAvoidharness complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the aircraft fuselage into multiple zones, each with its own local electrical power supply and data communication infrastructure. Instead of using a single complex harness spanning the entire aircraft, the system segments power distribution into modular zones that can be independently configured and managed, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces wireless communication technology as an intermediary between electrical equipment items and the central control system. This eliminates the need for extensive physical cable harnesses for data communication, thereby reducing harness complexity and weight while maintaining reliable electrical power distribution through wired connections

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If custom harnesses are produced for each aircraft configuration, then the electrical equipment can be powered and connected, but modifying the configuration after delivery becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration flexibilityVSAvoidharness production

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic and reconfigurable electrical architecture where equipment items can be dynamically added, removed, or repositioned within fuselage zones. The modular zone design allows configuration changes without requiring complete harness redesign, enabling easy adaptation to new aircraft configurations while simplifying manufacturing through standardized modular components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates universal fuselage zones with standardized electrical power supply and communication capabilities that can accommodate multiple types of electrical equipment items. This multi-functional zone design allows the same infrastructure to support different equipment configurations, enhancing adaptability while reducing manufacturing complexity through standardization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If equipment items are added or repositioned in the fuselage, then the aircraft configuration can be modified, but the harnesses must be redesigned and reinstalled

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveequipment modificationVSAvoidmodification time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-configures fuselage zones with electrical power supply and communication infrastructure before equipment items are installed. This preliminary preparation of modular zones with standardized connection points allows equipment to be quickly added or repositioned by simply connecting to existing infrastructure, eliminating the need for time-consuming harness redesign and installation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Device complexity

If a single electrical power distribution system is used, then the system is simpler, but a failure can affect the entire system

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower distribution systemVSAvoidpower supply independence

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the electrical power distribution system into multiple independent fuselage zones, each with its own local power supply capabilities. This segmentation ensures that a failure in one zone does not propagate to other zones, maintaining power supply independence and overall system reliability while managing complexity through modular design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10848341B2Aircraft comprising a hybrid electrical power distribution and data communication network

Publication Date: 2020.11.24 AIRBUS OPERATIONS (SAS)

AI summary

An aircraft comprises a fuselage, a set of electrical equipment items distributed in the fuselage, and a hybrid electrical power distribution and data communication network. The latter comprises a set of buses comprising at least one electrical power distribution bus extending, at least partly, in a longitudinal direction of the fuselage. A set of data links is associated with each bus of the set of buses. The bus and the associated set of data links each comprise connection points at different locations distributed along their length, forming pairs of connection points. Each of the electrical equipment items of the set of electrical equipment items is linked to a pair of connection points via a local electrical power supply link and/or via a local data link.