Aircraft Power String Sensor Monitoring for Fault Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical parameter sensors for aircraft systems lack efficient methods to monitor and ensure the operability of multiple power strings, leading to potential faults and inefficiencies in power distribution.
Innovation Solution
A sensor system measures and combines string parameters from parallel power strings to determine a total parameter, evaluating operability by comparing with a supply parameter, and identifies faults in individual sensors or power strings using redundant backups and fault current calculations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple string electricity sensors are used to measure parameters from each power string, then measurement precision and system reliability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the power supply into multiple independent power strings, each with its own dedicated string electricity sensor. This segmentation allows individual monitoring of each power string's electrical parameters, enabling localized fault detection without affecting the entire system. The controller can identify which specific power string has a fault by comparing individual string parameters against expected values.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors string parameters from multiple sensors and provides feedback to the controller. The controller compares measured string parameters against expected values and automatically identifies faults when deviations exceed thresholds. This closed-loop feedback mechanism maintains system reliability by enabling real-time fault detection and isolation without requiring manual intervention.
2Reliability
If string parameters are continuously measured and compared to evaluate sensor operability, then system reliability is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs parameter measurement and comparison operations periodically rather than continuously. The controller evaluates string parameters at defined intervals to determine sensor operability, which reduces energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring while still maintaining reliable fault detection capability. This periodic evaluation approach balances reliability requirements with energy efficiency.
3Measurement precision
If redundant backup sensors are implemented for each power string, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements redundant backup sensors that copy the functionality of primary string electricity sensors. Each power string has a primary sensor for measuring electrical parameters, and a backup sensor that can take over if the primary sensor fails. This copying approach ensures continuous measurement capability and improves system reliability without requiring complex sensor fusion or voting mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system can identify when a primary sensor is malfunctioning by comparing its readings against expected values and backup sensor readings. When a sensor is determined to be faulty, the system automatically switches to using the backup sensor, effectively discarding the faulty measurement and recovering operational capability through the redundant component.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of operation is provided during which an electric motor of an aircraft is powered using a power supply. The power supply includes a plurality of power strings electrically coupled in parallel. The powering includes: outputting string electricity from each of the power strings; and outputting supply electricity from the power supply. A plurality of string parameters are measured using a sensor system. Each of the string parameters is indicative of an electrical parameter of the string electricity from a respective one of the power strings. The string parameters are added together to provide a total string parameter. A supply parameter is measured using the sensor system indicative of the electrical parameter of the supply electricity. Operability of the sensor system is evaluated based on the total string parameter and the supply parameter.