Metallized Composite Aeronautic Engine Housing for Electrical Conductivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Housings made of composite materials used in aeronautic engines, such as OFD housings, are electrically insulating and unable to effectively evacuate electrical power in aggressive electromagnetic environments, leading to potential equipment damage and temperature rises due to inadequate electrical conductivity, limiting their use temperature and increasing the risk of melting or combustion.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a metallic piece connected to the housing and structural engine pieces via an electrically conductive path, which includes metal-metal contacts and ground braids, to create a metallization path for efficient electrical energy evacuation, reducing load magnitudes and intensities within a single connecting path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If a housing made of composite material is used, then the weight is reduced, but the electrical conductivity is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is made of composite material comprising a fibrous reinforcement densified by a polymer matrix, combining the weight advantages of composites with integrated metallic pieces that provide electrical conductivity. The metallic pieces are embedded within or attached to the composite structure, creating a hybrid system that achieves both light weight and electrical functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Metallic pieces serve as intermediary elements between the insulating composite housing and the electrical equipment. These metallic pieces are connected to the housing and to the equipment, creating conductive pathways that bridge the gap between non-conductive and conductive requirements in the system.
2Ease of manufacture
If composite material with polymer matrix is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but temperature resistance is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The housing uses composite material with fibrous reinforcement densified by polymer matrix, which maintains ease of manufacturing through conventional composite fabrication processes. The metallic pieces integrated into the composite structure raise the temperature resistance, as metals can withstand higher temperatures than polymer matrices alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The use temperature is extended by changing the material parameters through integration of metallic pieces. The metallic components have higher melting points and thermal stability, allowing the housing system to operate at temperatures exceeding the limitations of polymer-based composites alone.
3Reliability
If electrical energy evacuation path is added, then electrical conductivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical conductivity function is merged with the structural function by integrating metallic pieces that serve both as structural components of the housing and as conductive pathways. This eliminates the need for separate, dedicated electrical connection structures, reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The metallic pieces perform multiple functions simultaneously: they provide structural support as part of the housing, serve as electrical conductors for equipment connection, and act as thermal management elements. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed.
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 enables aeronautic engines with insulating composite material housings to operate effectively in severe electromagnetic environments, reducing the risk of equipment damage and temperature rises, while allowing for efficient electrical energy evacuation and extending the housing's use temperature beyond previous limits.
Implementation Method 1
a metallic piece (16), said metallic piece (16) being connected to the housing (10) and to a structural piece of the engine by means of an electrically conductive connecting path (22, 20)
Implementation Method 2
Housings made of composite materials... exhibit major electrical resistance and therefore do not adequately conduct electricity
Implementation Method 3
when electrical energy cannot be evacuated, it causes a substantial rise in temperature of the housing by joule effect
Data Source
AI summary
An aeronautic engine including: a housing made of electrically insulating material and including at least one metallic piece; a structural piece of the engine including metallic material and connected to the housing; and an equipment fixed to the housing, is provided. The equipment is connected to the structural piece by the metallic piece by an electrically conductive connecting path.