Twin Engine Starting System Using Super-Capacitor Energy Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft engine systems face a trade-off between reliability, cost, and weight, as increasing redundancy to enhance reliability also increases costs and weight, necessitating an improvement that maintains reliability without negatively impacting these factors.
Innovation Solution
An engine starting system for twin-engine installations utilizing a dual electric machine configuration with energy storage units, including super-capacitors and a DC to DC converter to charge and manage voltage levels, allowing for efficient engine starting while minimizing weight and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If redundancy of components is increased to enhance reliability, then reliability is improved, but costs and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple super-capacitors into a single energy storage unit that serves both engine starting functions. This merging approach provides redundant energy storage capability without duplicating entire starting systems, thereby improving reliability while minimizing weight increase compared to traditional redundant component strategies
Solution Approach 2:
The energy storage unit with multiple super-capacitors is designed to serve multiple functions: it can start either engine independently or both engines simultaneously. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated starting systems for each engine, reducing overall system weight while maintaining high reliability
2Reliability
If redundancy of components is increased to enhance reliability, then reliability is improved, but costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple super-capacitors into a shared energy storage unit, the patent reduces the total number of components required compared to having separate starting systems for each engine. This consolidation lowers manufacturing costs while maintaining the ability to start either or both engines, thereby improving reliability without proportionally increasing costs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the energy storage parameter from traditional battery systems to super-capacitor-based energy storage. This parameter change enables more efficient energy delivery for engine starting, reducing the overall size and cost of the energy storage system while providing sufficient power for simultaneous or sequential engine starting operations
3Productivity
If simultaneous engine starting is enabled, then productivity is improved, but energy management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a DC-DC converter as an intermediary device between the power source and the super-capacitors. This converter automatically manages the charging and discharging of the super-capacitors, handling the complexity of simultaneous engine starting energy requirements. The intermediary device simplifies the overall control architecture while enabling high productivity through simultaneous engine starting 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
The system enhances reliability by enabling simultaneous engine starting with optimized voltage management, reducing the need for excessive redundancy, thus maintaining low costs and weight while ensuring efficient engine starting and operation.
Implementation Method 1
a DC to DC converter configured to receive a first voltage level from a power source, increase the first voltage level to a second voltage level, and charge the first super-capacitor and the second super-capacitor to the second voltage level
Implementation Method 2
an energy storage unit coupled to the first engine arrangement and the second engine arrangement and having at least a first super-capacitor and a second super-capacitor
Implementation Method 3
controlling a discharge current to a first electric machine in the first engine arrangement via the first power control unit and rotating a rotor of the first electric machine to an above engine idle speed to start a first engine
Data Source
AI summary
There is described a method for and system for starting at least one engine from a twin engine installation. The starting system comprises a first engine arrangement comprising a first electric machine having a single rotor dual stator configuration, a first dual channel power control unit coupled to the first electric machine, and a first dual channel full authority digital engine control (FADEC) coupled to the first dual channel power control unit; a second engine arrangement comprising a second electric machine having a single rotor dual stator configuration, a second dual channel power control unit coupled to the second electric machine, and a second dual channel full authority digital engine control (FADEC) coupled to the second dual channel power control unit; an energy storage unit coupled to the first engine arrangement and the second engine arrangement and having at least a first super-capacitor and a second super-capacitor; and a DC to DC converter configured to receive a first voltage level from a power source, increase the first voltage level to a second voltage level, and charge the first super-capacitor and the second super-capacitor to the second voltage level.