Motor cooling blower and containment structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
The performance of aircraft cabin air compressors is limited by the pressure drop from the inlet to the ram air system, which restricts the flow of cooling air and reduces the efficiency of the environmental control system.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a movable blower in the pathways between the cooling gas inlet and exit to create a pressure differential, which boosts the flow rate of cooling air and directs it along a static structure towards the exit, enhancing the cooling of the cabin air compressor motor and providing containment for the compressor rotor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a ram air system is used to cool the CAC motor, then the motor is cooled, but the flow of cooling air is restricted by pressure drop from the CAC inlet to the ram air system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a variable speed blower that can dynamically adjust its operation to optimize cooling air flow. The blower speed is controlled based on system conditions to overcome the fixed pressure drop limitations of the ram air system, thereby increasing cooling air flow to the motor while maintaining effective cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a blower as an intermediary device between the CAC inlet and the motor cooling pathways. This blower acts as a mediator that actively pushes cooling air through the system, overcoming the passive limitations of the ram air system and the pressure drop restrictions in the cooling pathways.
2Reliability
If the containment structure is placed closer to the rotor to improve effectiveness, then rotor fragment containment is improved, but the structure becomes more complex and heavier
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the containment structure to serve multiple functions: it contains rotor fragments, guides cooling air flow, and provides structural support. By making the containment structure multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby simplifying the overall system while maintaining effective rotor containment through close proximity to the rotor.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the containment structure with the cooling air flow pathways and motor mounting structure. This integration allows the containment structure to perform both safety functions (rotor fragment containment) and operational functions (cooling air guidance), reducing structural complexity and weight while maintaining effectiveness.
3Productivity
If a blower is added to increase cooling air flow, then motor cooling performance is improved, but the device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The blower is designed to serve multiple functions: it increases cooling air flow to the motor, provides pressurization of the cooling pathways, and can be integrated with the containment structure. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity despite adding the blower function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent specifies using lightweight materials for the blower and containment structure. By applying composite materials or lightweight alloys, the patent reduces the weight penalty associated with adding the blower, thereby improving cooling air flow while minimizing the impact on overall system weight.
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 increases the cooling air flow and performance of the cabin air compressor motor, while maintaining a compact containment structure and minimizing weight by using lightweight materials for the blower and static seal plate, thus optimizing the cooling and containment functions.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure differential between said cooling gas inlet and said cooling gas exit draws cooling flow through said pathways
Implementation Method 2
The CACs are typically driven by air-cooled electric motors, which are cooled by a flow of cooling air
Data Source
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AI summary
A cabin air compressor assembly includes a cabin air compressor (12) disposed at a compressor inlet (16) and operably connected to a cabin air compressor motor (28). At least one cooling flow inlet (66) is configured to direct a cooling flow (42, 44) through various pathways (60), including across the cabin air compressor motor (28). A blower (68) is configured to boost the cooling flow (42, 44) across the cabin air compressor motor (28). A static seal plate (96) is downstream of the blower (68) and guides the boosted cooling flow toward a cooling flow exit (64).