Variable Speed Pumping System With One-Way Drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft pumping systems face limitations in pressure and flow rate due to mechanical drive constraints, and electric systems are prone to failures and efficiency losses from multiple energy conversions.
Innovation Solution
A variable speed pumping system integrated with a blower system, featuring a motor-generator setup with a one-way drive arrangement, allowing the electric pump rotor shaft to rotate at variable speeds independently of the engine speed, and includes a power management system for efficient energy transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical pumping systems are used to pump fluids in aircraft, then the system structure is simple and reliable, but the pumping pressure and flow rate are constrained by the engine drive speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines mechanical drive and electrical drive systems into a hybrid pumping system. The mechanical pump and electrical pump are integrated with a common power source that can operate in different modes, merging the reliability of mechanical systems with the controllability of electrical systems to achieve both high reliability and variable pumping performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a variable speed electrical motor to replace the fixed-speed mechanical drive. This allows the pumping system to dynamically adjust its speed and output according to demand, breaking the constraint of fixed engine-driven speed while maintaining system reliability through electronic control.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fully electric pumping systems are used to drive pumping elements from engine fuel, then speed control is flexible, but multiple energy conversions cause efficiency losses and system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a motor-generator set that copies the mechanical rotation from the engine to drive the electrical pump. Instead of converting fuel energy directly to electrical energy and then to mechanical energy, the system copies the existing mechanical rotation and uses it to generate electricity locally, reducing the number of energy conversion steps and improving efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If electric pump rotor shaft is mechanically connected to electrical machine rotor shaft via one-way drive arrangement, then the electric pump can rotate at variable speeds independently of engine speed, but the drive system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a one-way drive arrangement as an intermediary mechanism between the electrical machine rotor shaft and the electric pump rotor shaft. This intermediary component enables independent speed control of the pump while simplifying the mechanical connection, as the one-way drive allows the pump to rotate at variable speeds without requiring a complex variable speed transmission system.
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 enables flexible operation of the fluid pumping system to meet demand, reduces energy conversion losses, and provides reliable operation by minimizing mechanical drive constraints and electrical failures.
Implementation Method 1
the electric pump rotor shaft is mechanically connected to the electrical machine rotor shaft via a one way drive arrangement
Implementation Method 2
the first electrical machine being a motor-generator... the electric pump rotor shaft is mechanically connected to the electrical machine rotor shaft
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
A variable speed pumping system 200, for an aircraft 50, comprising: a first electrical machine 116, the first electrical machine 116 comprising an electrical machine rotor shaft 202 mechanically connected to an engine 10 of the aircraft and electrical machine stator coils 204; an electric pump motor-generator 206, the electric pump motor-generator 206 comprising an electric pump rotor shaft 208 mechanically connected to the electrical machine rotor shaft 202 via a one way drive arrangement 210 and electric pump stator coils 212; wherein the electric pump rotor shaft 208 is mechanically connected to a fluid pumping system 214.