Aircraft Propeller Synchrophasing via Networked Clock Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing propeller synchrophasing systems in aircraft require point-to-point electrical connections, leading to weight and reliability issues, as well as constraints in certification due to potential failure propagation and increased complexity.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where each propulsion unit's electronic control circuit is connected to an aircraft communications network, allowing clock synchronization and propeller speed adjustments without point-to-point connections, using internal clocks, sensors, and communication networks to compare and adjust propeller phase offsets relative to setpoint values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If point-to-point electrical connections are used to transmit angular position signals between propulsion units, then propeller synchrophasing control is achieved, but system weight increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a communications network as an intermediary medium to replace direct electrical connections between propulsion units. Each propulsion unit's control circuit communicates phase information through this network rather than through dedicated point-to-point cables, thereby eliminating the heavy cabling infrastructure while maintaining the necessary signal transmission for synchrophasing control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the physical electrical connection system (mechanical/cable-based) with an electronic communication network. This substitution eliminates the need for extensive cabling arrangements between propulsion units while achieving the same control objective of transmitting angular position information for phase synchronization
2Device complexity
If point-to-point connections are implemented between propulsion units, then phase signal transmission is enabled, but device complexity and certification constraints increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control architecture so that each propulsion unit operates as an independent entity with its own control circuit. Instead of interconnected point-to-point connections that create a unified but vulnerable system, each unit processes and transmits its phase information independently through the communications network, isolating potential failures to individual units rather than propagating them system-wide
Solution Approach 2:
The communications network serves as an intermediary that decouples the propulsion units from direct electrical connections. This mediation allows phase information to be transmitted without creating direct dependency between units, thereby reducing the complexity of the connection architecture and limiting failure propagation while maintaining synchrophasing functionality
Data Source
AI summary
For constant-speed synchrophasing of the propellers (14) of the propulsion units (10) of an aircraft each equipped with an electronic control circuit (20) connected to a communications network (32) of the aircraft, each control circuit of a propulsion unit includes a clock delivering a clock signal at a frequency representing a rotational speed of the propulsion unit propeller corresponding to said constant speed, the control circuit clocks are kept substantially synchronous by communication via the communications network of the aircraft, and in each propulsion unit, the offset between the clock signal and a signal produced from a propeller rotational speed sensor is measured and compared to a determined propeller phase value assigned to the propulsion unit and, depending on the result of the comparison, an instantaneous variation of the propeller rotational speed is applied as necessary so as to bring the measured offset to the determined value.