Linear Magnetic Core Multi-Pulse Electromagnetic Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electrical power transformers used in airplanes, such as transformer rectifier units and auto-transformer units, are heavy and generate significant thermal emissions, which reduce payload capacity and complicate engine compartment design and thermal management.

Innovation Solution

A multi-pulse electromagnetic device with a linear magnetic core configuration, featuring an elongated core with channels and an inner core member, where a primary winding generates a magnetic field that induces current in secondary windings, optimized for efficient power transformation with minimal weight and thermal emissions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If traditional transformer core designs are used, then power transformation function is achieved, but weight increases and thermal emissions increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransformer weightVSAvoidthermal emissions
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The transformer core is divided into multiple discrete laminations stacked together to form the magnetic circuit. Each lamination is electrically insulated from others, creating a segmented structure that reduces eddy current losses and thermal emissions while maintaining magnetic flux pathways for power transformation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The core uses composite construction combining magnetic steel laminations with non-magnetic structural supports and insulation materials. This composite approach optimizes the balance between magnetic performance, mechanical strength, and thermal management, reducing overall weight and thermal emissions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Power

If larger transformer components are used to handle power transformation, then power capacity increases, but payload capacity of airplane decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower transformation capacityVSAvoidairplane payload capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The design changes key parameters including using high-permeability magnetic materials to increase flux density, optimizing lamination thickness to reduce losses, and configuring the magnetic circuit geometry to maximize power capacity per unit weight, thereby increasing power transformation capacity while minimizing weight impact on payload

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If conventional transformer core configuration is used, then magnetic flux is generated, but thermal management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnetic flux generationVSAvoidthermal management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Heat-generating components and high-flux-density regions are extracted and isolated from the main core structure, allowing separate thermal management pathways. Critical magnetic flux pathways are separated from thermal management systems, simplifying the overall thermal control architecture while maintaining reliable flux generation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

The solution enables efficient electrical power transformation with reduced weight and thermal emissions, enhancing airplane payload capacity and simplifying thermal management.

Implementation Method 1

An electric current flowing through the primary winding generates a magnetic field about the primary winding. The magnetic field is absorbed by the elongated core to generate the magnetic flux in the elongated core.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

The magnetic flux flowing in the elongated core causes an electric current to flow in each of the plurality of secondary windings.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3193345B1Multi-pulse electromagnetic device including a linear magnetic core configuration
Publication Date: 2023.07.12 THE BOEING CO
  • EP3193345B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3193345B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3193345B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

An electromagnetic device may include an elongated core in which a magnetic flux in generable. The electromagnetic device may also include a first channel formed through the elongated core and a second channel formed through the elongated core. An inner core member is provided between the first channel and the second channel. The electromagnetic device may also include a primary winding wound around the inner core member and a plurality of secondary windings wound around the inner core member. An electric current flowing through the primary winding generates a magnetic field about the primary winding and the magnetic field is absorbed by the elongated core to generate the magnetic flux in the elongated core. The magnetic flux flowing in the elongated core causes an electric current to flow in each of the plurality of secondary windings.