Linear Amplifier Converter for Aircraft Emergency Actuators

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aircraft emergency actuators require a reliable power supply that can function independently of the main electrical power network, especially during engine failures, and existing solutions are complex and heavy due to the need for precise control and filtering.

Innovation Solution

A simple three-phase alternating power supply network using a linear amplifier converter that modulates voltage and frequency to control emergency actuators, eliminating the need for heavy filtering elements and allowing simultaneous control of all connected motors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a traditional switching control power network is used to supply emergency actuators, then precise control and reliability are improved, but the system becomes heavy and complex due to heavy filtering elements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemergency actuator supply reliabilityVSAvoidpower network weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the heavy filtering elements from the power network while maintaining the essential function of supplying emergency actuators. The switching control and filtering functions are taken out from the physical hardware and replaced by software-based control of the linear amplifier converter, eliminating the need for bulky filters while preserving actuator supply reliability during emergencies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical/electrical switching control system with a software-controlled linear amplifier converter. Instead of using complex switching circuits and physical filters, the system uses software to modulate the converter's output, substituting electronic control for mechanical/electrical control components and significantly reducing weight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Weight of stationary object

If a simple linear amplifier converter is used without heavy filtering elements, then the system becomes lightweight and simple, but losses and disturbances increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower network weightVSAvoidconverter losses and disturbances
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of stationary objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a simplified version of the traditional power network by copying only the essential function (converting DC to three-phase AC) while omitting non-essential components (heavy filters). The linear amplifier converter copies the core conversion capability without replicating the filtering hardware, achieving weight reduction while accepting increased losses that are tolerable in emergency-only operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters of the converter by using software control to modulate voltage and frequency output. Instead of maintaining strict parameter control through hardware filtering, the system adjusts parameters dynamically through software, accepting broader parameter variations that result in increased losses but enable significant weight reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-generated harmful factors

If traditional switching control with filtering is used, then power quality is improved, but device complexity and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower disturbancesVSAvoidpower network complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the control function and filtering function into a single software-based control mechanism for the linear amplifier converter. Instead of having separate switching control circuits and filtering components, the system combines these functions by using software to directly control the converter's output characteristics, simplifying the overall device architecture while maintaining acceptable power quality for emergency actuators.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Measurement precision

If precise control is implemented through switching control, then actuator control precision is improved, but the system requires heavy filtering elements increasing weight

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactuator control precisionVSAvoidfiltering elements weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical switching control system with a software-controlled linear amplifier converter. Software-based control provides sufficient precision for emergency actuator operation without requiring heavy filtering hardware, as the software can precisely modulate the converter output to match actuator requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 provides a lightweight, efficient power supply for emergency actuators, ensuring their operation even in main power network failures with acceptable losses and disturbances that occur only during occasional use.

Implementation Method 1

The converter can be made very simply by means of a simple linear amplifier by dispensing with the heavy and bulky filtering elements necessary in the case of switching controls fitted to traditional power networks.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLinear amplifier conversion:

Data Source

PatentEP2312721B1Network for managing mono or multi-engine actuators, particularly adapted for aeronautical applications, such as the power supply for the motors of latching boxes
Publication Date: 2018.05.23 SAFRAN LANDING SYSTEMS
  • EP2312721B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2312721B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The network (10) has a three-phase power bus (11) conveying three-phase alternating current (AC) power generated by one direct current (DC)/AC converter (12) that is powered by a DC source of an aircraft. The DC/AC converter is fitted with a modulator unit for modulating the voltage and/or the frequency of the three-phase power generated by the DC/AC converter. The DC/AC converter is of a linear amplification type. The power bus delivers AC voltage to a set of emergency unlocking actuators, where all of the actuators are connected to the three-phase power bus.