Modular Aircraft Power Plant Adaptation via Avionics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft power plants are typically designed to be non-modifiable, leading to high operating costs and limitations in mission versatility due to initial power plant choices that may become inappropriate as user needs change.
Innovation Solution
A modular aircraft design with interchangeable combustion engine and electric motor power plants, along with a main gearbox and avionics system that allows for automatic adaptation of power plant configurations, enabling easy switching between different power sources to suit specific missions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a specific power plant is designed for an aircraft, then the aircraft can operate with that power plant, but the power plant cannot be modified or replaced subsequently to suit changing user needs
Solution Approach 1:
The aircraft is divided into modular sections with the power plant as a separate, interchangeable unit. The aircraft structure includes designated mounting interfaces and connection systems that allow the power plant to be segmented from the rest of the aircraft, enabling easy replacement without affecting other components.
Solution Approach 2:
The aircraft is designed with universal mounting structures and connection interfaces that can accommodate different power plant types (combustion engines, electric motors, hybrids). The same structural interfaces serve multiple functions by accepting various power plant configurations, eliminating the need for separate designs for each power plant type.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a power plant is chosen initially for the aircraft, then the aircraft can be certified and operated, but subsequent operating costs increase when mission needs change require different power plants
Solution Approach 1:
The power plant configuration is made dynamic rather than fixed. The aircraft includes quick-connect interfaces and modular mounting systems that enable rapid reconfiguration of the power plant to match changing mission requirements, allowing the system to adapt dynamically from one power configuration to another without extensive downtime or costly modifications.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the aircraft is designed with fixed power plant connections, then certification is simplified, but the aircraft cannot easily adapt to different power plants for varying missions
Solution Approach 1:
The aircraft structure includes pre-designed mounting interfaces, connection systems, and integration features that are prepared in advance to accommodate different power plants. These preliminary structural preparations eliminate the need for complex custom modifications during certification or operation, as the interfaces are already optimized for interchangeable power plant installations.
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft of a modular type including: at least one rotor suitable for providing in full or in part propulsion and/or lift for the aircraft; at least one power plant of the combustion engine type or of the electric motor type; a main gearbox, for mechanically transmitting drive torque generated by the at least one power plant to the at least one rotor; and an avionics system for assisting in piloting the aircraft. In accordance with the invention, the avionics system is configured for automatically providing the assistance in piloting the aircraft when the aircraft has a first power plant only or when the aircraft has a first power plant and a second power plant.