Tapered Conductors for Constant Current Density in Power Electronics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft electrical power distribution systems face complexity and inefficiency due to increasing current ratings, leading to excessive heat generation and reliability issues from electrical losses, particularly in high-voltage systems.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a set of solid-state switching components with varying conductor widths to maintain constant current density, coupled with a control component for monitoring and protection, reducing thermal losses and improving reliability by optimizing the interconnect scheme and using tapered conductors to distribute current evenly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If arrays of solid-state devices are interconnected to lower total impedance to meet higher current ratings, then current carrying capacity is improved, but device complexity increases due to complicated interconnect and mounting schemes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the width of conductors along their length to achieve substantially constant current density. Different sections of the conductor have different widths optimized for their specific current density requirements, allowing the system to handle high currents without requiring complex arrays of interconnected solid-state devices.
2Power
If higher current ratings are implemented in electrical power distribution systems, then power delivery capability is improved, but thermal losses increase leading to excessive heat generation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent varies the conductor width locally along its length to maintain constant current density. This ensures that each section of the conductor operates at optimal current density, minimizing resistive heating and thermal losses while maintaining high power delivery capability.
3Power
If higher current ratings are implemented in electrical power distribution systems, then power delivery capability is improved, but reliability decreases due to electrical losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs varying conductor widths to maintain substantially constant current density throughout the conductor. This optimization reduces electrical losses and heat generation, thereby improving system reliability while maintaining high power delivery capability.
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 configuration lowers thermal losses and enhances the reliability of electrical distribution systems, particularly in high-current applications, by evenly distributing current density and incorporating built-in monitoring and protection features.
Implementation Method 1
The width of the first conductor along the first longitudinal axis varies such that the current density in the first conductor is substantially constant along the first longitudinal axis
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and apparatuses for electrically switching current include a first conductor formed of an electrically conductive material and having a first longitudinal axis; a second conductor formed of the electrically conductive material and having a second longitudinal axis; a set of switching components, each component selectively configured to electrically couple the first conductor to the second conductor; and a printed circuit board on which the first and second conductors are disposed. The width of the first conductor along the first longitudinal axis varies such that the current density in the first conductor is substantially constant along the first longitudinal axis and the width of the second conductor along the second longitudinal axis varies such that the current density in the second conductor is substantially constant along the second longitudinal axis.