Hybrid Electric Aircraft Engine Cooling Loops for LP/HP Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of electric machines with varying power ratings within a gas turbine engine poses challenges in thermal management due to the unique thermal needs of low pressure (LP) and high pressure (HP) electric machines and their associated power electronics assemblies, requiring complex thermal management solutions.
Innovation Solution
A dedicated cooling loop system is provided for both LP and HP electric machines and their respective power electronics assemblies, separate from other engine cooling loops, to meet the unique thermal requirements of each.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a shared cooling loop is used for multiple electric machines, then the device complexity is reduced, but the thermal management precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into multiple independent cooling loops, with each loop dedicated to specific electric machines and power electronics assemblies. This segmentation allows each loop to be optimized for the thermal characteristics of its assigned components, achieving precise thermal management while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular architecture.
2Temperature
If dedicated cooling loops are provided for each electric machine, then the thermal management precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is divided into multiple independent loops, each serving specific electric machines and power electronics. This modular segmentation enables precise thermal control for each component while keeping the overall system complexity manageable through standardized loop designs and independent operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Each cooling loop is designed to serve multiple components (electric machine and its associated power electronics assembly) with similar thermal characteristics. This multi-functionality approach allows a single loop to handle several components efficiently, reducing the total number of loops needed while maintaining dedicated cooling for each machine type.
3Reliability
If separate cooling loops are used for LP and HP electric machines, then the reliability of thermal management is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into separate loops for low pressure and high pressure electric machines, allowing independent thermal management for each. This segmentation improves reliability by isolating thermal issues to specific loops while maintaining overall system functionality through the modular structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Each cooling loop is designed with local quality tailored to the specific thermal requirements of LP or HP electric machines. The loops can be optimized with appropriate flow rates, heat exchanger configurations, and cooling capacities matched to the specific power ratings and thermal characteristics of the components they serve.
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 approach effectively manages the thermal needs of LP and HP electric machines and their power electronics, enhancing the efficiency and reliability of hybrid electric propulsion systems.
Implementation Method 1
a flow of a cooling fluid is provided through a thermal management system flowpath
Implementation Method 2
a first heat exchanger... a second heat exchanger
Data Source
AI summary
A thermal management system defines a thermal management system flowpath to provide a flow of a fluid to an electric machine and a power electronics assembly electrically connected to the electric machine. The thermal management system includes a first heat exchanger thermally connected to the thermal management system flowpath and to the electric machine, and a second heat exchanger thermally connected to the thermal management system flowpath downstream of the first heat exchanger. The second heat exchanger is thermally connected to the power electronics assembly.