Wireless Power Transfer for Aircraft Cabin Components
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft cabin components with electrical devices face challenges in power supply due to battery limitations, wire fatigue, and contact connection failures, particularly in emergency situations where doors and partitions need to be quickly removed for passenger egress.
Innovation Solution
A wireless electrical power transmission system using a solid-state transmitter with an induction loop and receiver coil, allowing power transfer between movable aircraft components without wires or physical contact, enabling power to be supplied to devices like lights and personal electronics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wired connections are used to supply power to moveable aircraft components, then electrical power can be transmitted to devices on moving components, but the metal wire suffers metal fatigue and fails over time due to bending and flexing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wired connection system with an electromagnetic induction system. The transmitter coil generates an oscillating magnetic field that induces current in the receiver coil, eliminating the need for physical wire connections across moveable components. This substitution resolves the metal fatigue problem by removing the mechanical stress element entirely.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an oscillating magnetic field as an intermediary medium to transfer power between the transmitter and receiver. This magnetic field acts as a non-contact mediator that enables power transmission without direct physical connection, thereby preventing wire fatigue and connection failure in moveable components.
2Reliability
If contact type electrical connections are used between moveable components, then power can be transmitted through physical contact, but the connections fail over time due to friction and abrasion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical contact connection system with an electromagnetic induction system. Instead of relying on physical contact between metal surfaces that suffer from friction and abrasion, the system uses magnetic field coupling to transfer power, eliminating wear and extending service life.
3Ease of operation
If batteries are used to supply power to moveable aircraft components, then electrical power can be provided without wires, but batteries have finite life and require frequent replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the chemical energy storage system (batteries) with an electromagnetic power transmission system. The transmitter coil connected to aircraft power supply wirelessly transmits power to the receiver coil on moveable components, eliminating battery replacement needs while maintaining wireless operation.
4Reliability
If wires are used to connect moveable components, then power can be supplied continuously, but the wires must bend and flex as components move, leading to fatigue failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wire system with an electromagnetic field system. The transmitter remains on the fixed component while the receiver moves with the moveable component, allowing continuous power supply without wire bending or flexing, thus eliminating fatigue failure and simplifying the 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
Enables reliable and continuous power supply to movable aircraft components, such as doors, tray tables, and control knobs, without the need for wires or physical connections, ensuring functionality even during movement and emergency situations.
Implementation Method 1
The induction loop may be adapted to produce an oscillating magnetic field when powered via a wired connection to a power supply. The receiving coil which is adapted to induce a flow of alternating current to a load when the receiving coil is in proximity to the oscillating magnetic field.
Data Source
AI summary
A system may wirelessly supply electrical power to an aircraft cabin component which moves relative to another aircraft cabin component. A first aircraft cabin component may include a solid state electrical power transmitter having an induction loop. The second aircraft cabin component may include a solid state electrical power receiver having a receiving coil. When a power source is connected to the solid state electrical power transmitter, the induction loop creates an oscillating magnetic field which passes through the receiving coil and induces a flow of alternating current through the receiving coil which drives the load.