Aircraft Emergency Oxygen Backup Power Without Dual Harnesses

Solution Overview

Problem

Modern aircraft emergency oxygen supply systems require two independent power harnesses, which are cumbersome and expensive to install, and may not function reliably in case of a failure of the electric power supply system.

Innovation Solution

An aircraft emergency oxygen supply device with a backup electric power supply system, including rechargeable batteries or capacitors, that can operate independently of the main power system, ensuring oxygen delivery even when the regular power supply fails, eliminating the need for an additional emergency power harness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If two independent power harnesses are installed for emergency oxygen supply, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and installation cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the emergency power supply function with the existing main power supply system by using the same power harness for both purposes. The emergency oxygen supply device is electrically connected to the main power supply system, which provides power during normal operation and automatically supplies power during emergencies, eliminating the need for a separate emergency power harness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The main power supply system is designed to serve dual functions: providing power during normal flight operations and providing emergency power when needed. This multi-functionality allows the same power harness to serve both routine and emergency purposes, reducing system complexity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If two independent power harnesses are installed for emergency oxygen supply, then reliability is improved, but installation cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidinstallation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the emergency power supply function with the existing main power supply system by using the same power harness for both purposes. The emergency oxygen supply device is electrically connected to the main power supply system, which provides power during normal operation and automatically supplies power during emergencies, eliminating the need for a separate emergency power harness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The main power supply system is designed to serve dual functions: providing power during normal flight operations and providing emergency power when needed. This multi-functionality allows the same power harness to serve both routine and emergency purposes, reducing system complexity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If the emergency oxygen supply device uses the main power supply system, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability may worsen in case of power failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidreliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system is designed with preliminary action by automatically detecting power failures and switching to battery power before the emergency oxygen supply is needed. The battery is pre-charged during normal operation and automatically activates when a power failure is detected, ensuring continuous operation without interruption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates a battery as a backup power source that is pre-charged during normal operation. This beforehand cushioning ensures that if the main power supply fails, the battery is already charged and ready to immediately take over, maintaining the operation of the emergency oxygen supply device without interruption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 ensures reliable operation of the emergency oxygen supply device without additional power harnesses, reducing installation complexity and cost, and maintaining functionality during power failures, thus enhancing safety and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a backup electric power supply system, which includes at least one electric power storage device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical energy storage: Electrical Accumulator

Data Source

PatentUS20230373637A1Aircraft emergency oxygen supply device, aircraft comprising such an emergency oxygen supply device, and method of operating an aircraft emergency oxygen supply device

Publication Date: 2023.11.23 B E ENG SYST GMBH

AI summary

An aircraft emergency oxygen supply device comprises an oxygen source for supplying oxygen gas; a backup electric power supply system, comprising at least one electric power storage device; and a controller for controlling the operation of the aircraft emergency oxygen supply device. The aircraft emergency oxygen supply device is electrically connectable to an aircraft electric power supply system for being supplied with electric power provided by the aircraft electric power supply system; the at least one electric power storage device is chargeable by electric power provided by the aircraft electric power supply system; and the aircraft emergency oxygen supply device is operational with electric power provided by the backup electric power supply system.