Cage-Frame Twin-Motor Propeller Assembly for Redundant Electric Flight
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric propulsion systems for aircraft face challenges such as One Engine Inoperative (OEI) controllability issues, powerplant/wing interference, additional weight and drag, cabin noise, and complex installation due to the compact nature of electric engines, which are not adequately addressed in the prior art.
Innovation Solution
A drive device comprising two electric drive motors mounted on a supporting frame that can simultaneously or separately drive a propeller, with a decoupling mechanism and pitch adjusting mechanism, allowing for operational flexibility, redundancy, and simplified installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple combustion engines are mounted on each side of the wing in a multi-engine configuration, then redundancy and propulsion capability are improved, but additional weight, drag, and cabin noise are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple electric drive motors (first and second electric drive motors) into a single integrated drive device that shares a common propeller, eliminating the need for separate nacelles and propellers for each motor. This merging approach maintains redundancy through multiple motors while reducing overall weight by sharing structural components, power transmission elements, and control systems.
2Reliability
If multiple combustion engines are mounted on each side of the wing in a multi-engine configuration, then redundancy and propulsion capability are improved, but additional drag is introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple drive motors into a single integrated unit with one propeller, eliminating the drag penalties associated with multiple separate nacelles and propellers. The unified structure reduces aerodynamic interference and eliminates the additional drag that would result from having multiple engine packages mounted on the wing.
3Reliability
If multiple combustion engines are mounted on each side of the wing in a multi-engine configuration, then redundancy and propulsion capability are improved, but cabin noise is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple electric drive motors into a single integrated drive device, reducing the number of rotating components and propellers near the cabin. This merging approach maintains redundancy through multiple motors while significantly reducing cabin noise by eliminating the noise sources associated with multiple separate propeller systems operating in close proximity to the passenger compartment.
4Power
If coupled combustion-based engines are used to drive a common propeller, then power output is improved, but dynamic coupling forces and material stress on mechanical components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical coupling system with an electrical integration approach. Multiple electric drive motors are electrically coupled to a common propeller through a shared power transmission system, eliminating the need for mechanical shafts and reduction gears that would be subjected to dynamic coupling forces. The electrical system naturally accommodates variations in motor output without transmitting mechanical stress.
5Power
If coupled combustion-based engines are used to drive a common propeller, then power output is improved, but maintenance and repair complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the drive system into independent electric drive motors that can be individually accessed and maintained. Each motor is mounted in a separate mounting section of the supporting frame, allowing for independent removal, inspection, and repair without affecting the other motors or the propeller system, thereby simplifying maintenance and repair operations.
6Power
If multiple internal combustion engines are combined to a single propeller output, then power output is improved, but installation complexity and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical integration of multiple internal combustion engines with an electrical system architecture. Multiple electric drive motors are independently mounted on a supporting frame and electrically coupled to drive a common propeller, eliminating the need for complex mechanical shafts, gears, and synchronization mechanisms, thereby significantly reducing installation complexity.
7Power
If multiple internal combustion engines are combined to a single propeller output, then power output is improved, but physical volume and nacelle size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple electric drive motors into a compact integrated drive device with a shared propeller system. This consolidation achieves the power output of multiple engines while occupying significantly less physical volume than separate engine installations, as the motors share common structural support, power transmission, and control systems.
8Area of stationary object
If multiple internal combustion engines are installed in close proximity, then space utilization is improved, but zonal safety and catastrophic failure isolation become difficult to demonstrate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the drive system into independently mounted electric motors, each housed in separate mounting sections of the supporting frame. This segmentation provides physical and functional isolation between motors, allowing for zonal safety demonstration where a catastrophic failure of one motor does not affect the others, while still achieving compact space utilization through the integrated electrical system architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a drive device for driving a propeller of an aircraft. The drive device includes a first electric drive motor, a second electric drive motor, and a supporting frame which includes a first mounting section to which the first electric drive motor is mounted, a second mounting section to which the second electric drive motor is mounted, and at least one strut which interconnects the first mounting section and the second mounting section such that the supporting frame provides a cage-like structure. The first electric drive motor and the second electric drive motor are operatively couplable to the propeller. The present disclosure further relates to a supporting frame, an aircraft, and a method for installing a drive device into an aircraft.