Moving towards a more electric aircraft

The latest advances in electric and electronic aircraft technologies from the point of view of an "all-electric" aircraft are presented herein. Specifically, we describe the concept of a "more electric aircraft" (MEA), which involves removing the need for on-engine hydraulic power generation and bleed air off-takes, and the increasing use of power electronics in the starter/generation system of the main engine. Removal of the engine hydraulic pumps requires fully-operative electrical power actuators and mastery of the flight control architecture. The paper presents a general overview of the electrical power generation system and electric drives for the MEA, with special regard to the flight controls. Some discussion regarding the interconnection of nodes and safety of buses and protocols in distributed systems is also presented     

Power management and distribution system for a more-electricaircraft (MADMEL)

A five-phase Power Management and Distribution System for a More-Electric Aircraft (MADMEL) program was awarded by the Air Force to Northrop/Grumman Military Aircraft Division in September 1991. The objective of the program is to design, develop, and demonstrate an advanced electrical power generation and distribution system for a More-Electric Aircraft (MEA). The MEA emphasizes the use of electrical power in place of hydraulics, pneumatic, and mechanical power to optimize the performance and life cycle cost of the aircraft. This paper presents an overview of the MADMEL program and a top-level summary of the program results, development and test of major components to date. In Phase I and Phase II studies, the electrical load requirements were established and the electrical power system architecture was defined for both near-term (NT-year 1996) and far-term (FT-year 2003) MEA application. The detailed design and specification for the Electrical Power System (EPS), its interface with the Vehicle Management System, and the test set-up were developed under Phase III. Phase IV, fabrication and testing of the subsystem level hardware, has been completed. Overall system level integration and testing, Phase V, is scheduled to be completed by September 1999     

Avionics cost of ownership

The cost of ownership of avionics includes not only the development and acquisition cost, but also the yearly operating and support (O and S) (maintenance) cost of hardware, software, and support equipment. This paper presents an avionics cost of ownership methodology developed for USAF, its data sources, and business metrics computed for USAF decision makers as we move toward operating avionics as a business. The business model is used to determine which existing avionics are candidates for replacement with new technology and to prioritize the replacements. These avionics are often used on multiple aircraft types which necessitates analysis of the causes of the high cost of ownership on each type. Databases are used to document the processing functions, data flow, and constraints of the item being analyzed. These constraints include physical, environmental, electrical, and data interfaces. Databases containing alternatives are evaluated against standard mission scenarios for aircraft utilizing these high cost avionics to determine their impact on performance, O and S costs, and mission effectiveness. The results of the foregoing analyses steps are then used in life cycle cost analyses which consider different retrofit scenarios for each alternative for each aircraft type against the avionics being analyzed for replacement. The alternatives are prioritized and a risk analysis performed considering technical, schedule, and cost growth risks. The avionics cost of ownership methodology described in this paper processes data from USAF maintenance organizations. This has revealed the very large expenditures being made to support highly unreliable avionics. These methods can be applied to all military and commercial aircraft systems to determine not only the cost of ownership of existing systems, but also the cost of ownership of new systems when they are retrofit     

基于模式重要度的航空电源系统可靠性估计

针对航空电源系统可靠性分析的需要,研究现有典型系统的结构特点,提出基于模式重要度的系统可靠性估计方法。该方法首先根据航空电源各子系统的组成,采用蒙特卡罗方法对各子系统可靠性进行分析。根据子系统中各部件的模式重要度,建立子系统可靠性估计模型,进而获取并联系统和总系统的可靠性估计模型。该方法结合了蒙特卡罗方法的优势和系统本身的结构特点,既解决了复杂航空电源系统可靠性分析的难题,又克服了单纯采用蒙特卡罗方法对其进行分析时,仿真效率较低的问题。最后,采用所提出的方法对两种类型的电源系统进行仿真分析,并与单纯蒙特卡罗方法仿真分析结果进行比较,验证了该方法的可行性和有效性。     

High energy density regenerative fuel cell systems for terrestrialapplications

Regenerative Fuel Cell System (RFCS) technology for energy storage has been a NASA power system concept for many years. Compared to battery-based energy storage systems, RFCS has received relatively little attention or resources for development because the energy density and electrical efficiency were not sufficiently attractive relative to advanced battery systems. Even today, RFCS remains at a very low technology readiness level (TRL of about 2 indicating feasibility has been demonstrated). Commercial development of the Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cells for automobiles and other terrestrial applications and improvements in lightweight pressure vessel design to reduce weight and improve performance make possible a high energy density RFCS energy storage system. The results from this study of a lightweight RFCS energy storage system for a remotely piloted, solar-powered, high altitude aircraft indicate an energy density up to 790 wh/kg with electrical efficiency of 53.4% is attainable. Such an energy storage system would allow a solar-powered aircraft to carry hundreds of kilograms of payload and remain in flight indefinitely for use in atmospheric research, Earth observation, resource mapping, and telecommunications. Future developments in the areas of hydrogen and oxygen storage, pressure vessel design, higher temperature and higher pressure fuel cell operation, unitized regenerative fuel cells, and commercial development of fuel cell technology will improve both the energy density and electrical efficiency of the RFCS     

高超声速飞机动力需求探讨

近年来,随着高超声速技术的长足进步,特别是在超燃冲压技术逐渐面向工程化的背景下,关于高超声速飞机及其动力系统的讨论也频繁出现。为了在宽速域条件下工作,基于不同热力循环工作模式的组合动力系统相继被提出,高超声速飞机的动力发展形式出现了百花齐放、百家争鸣的局面,也对高超声速飞机动力系统的选型提出了巨大挑战。通过对飞机发展史及高超声速相关发展技术的综述,阐述了现阶段组合动力是高超声速飞机动力主要发展方向这一结论,针对高超声速飞机需求,梳理和分析了几种高超声速组合动力系统的工作原理、工作特性及优缺点,并展望了采用组合动力系统对未来高超声速飞机研究带来的挑战。随着飞行速度的提高,高超声速飞机和动力系统的一体化势在必行。     

低性能代偿损失的环境控制系统方案研究

从集成能源子系统的概念出发,提出了一种以环控系统为核心的热能管理组合方案。建立了该组合方案在巡航模式下工作时的数学模型,对其参数匹配的方法进行了探讨。并对主要附件性能的影响进行了分析。     

Potential starter/generator technologies for future aerospaceapplications

This paper presents a search and comparative review of the literature available on variable speed constant frequency (VSCF) technologies. In particular, most of the progress made in the past ten years, using power electronics and electric machines for VSCF systems, is reported. Two VSCF systems, based on induction and switched reluctance machine technologies are presented. The research on the singly- and doubly-fed induction machines has focused on VSCF for wind power generation, whereas that on switched reluctance machines has been directly studied as a VSCF technology in aircraft systems. Results obtained so far favor the switched reluctance machine over the induction machine. Based on the foregoing comparative review, it is recommended that the induction machine be fully investigated as a VSCF drive for aircraft systems. The findings should then be compared with the counterpart SRM system. Issues of comparison may include fault tolerance and redundancy, power density, torque requirements, overload ratings, temperature range and cooling, efficiency and stability over expected operating speed range     

A novel integrated self-powered brake system for more electric aircraft

Traditional hydraulic brake systems require a complex system of pipelines between an aircraft engine driven pump (EDP) and brake actuators, which increases the weight of the aircraft and may even cause serious vibration and leakage problems. In order to improve the reliability and safety of more electric aircraft (MEA), this paper proposes a new integrated self-powered brake system (ISBS) for MEA. It uses a hydraulic pump geared to the main wheel to recover a small part of the kinetic energy of a landing aircraft. The recovered energy then serves as the hydraulic power supply for brake actuators. It does not require additional hydraulic source, thus removing the pipelines between an EDP and brake actuators. In addition, its self-powered characteristic makes it possible to brake as usual even in an emergency situation when the airborne power is lost. This paper introduces the working principle of the ISBS and presents a prototype. The mathematical models of a taxiing aircraft and the ISBS are established. A feedback linearization control algorithm is designed to fulfill the anti-skid control. Simulations are carried out to verify the feasibility of the ISBS, and experiments are conducted on a ground inertia brake test bench. The ISBS presents a good performance and provides a new potential solution in the field of brake systems for MEA.     

Potential starter/generator technology for future aerospaceapplication

This paper presents a search and comparative review of the literature available on variable speed constant frequency (VSCF) technologies. In particular, most of the progress made in the past ten years, using power electronics and electric machines for VSCF systems is reported. Two VSCF systems, based on induction and switched reluctance machine technologies, are presented. The research on the singly- and doubly-fed induction machines has focused on VSCF for wind power generation; whereas, that on switched reluctance machines has been directly studied as a VSCF technology in aircraft system. Results obtained so far favor the switched reluctance machine over the induction machine. Based on the foregoing comparative review, it is recommended that the induction machine be fully investigated as a VSCF drive in aircraft system. The findings should then be compared with the counterpart SRM system. Issues of comparison may include fault tolerance and redundancy, power density, torque requirements, overload ratings, temperature range and cooling, efficiency and stability over expected operating speed range     

Motor drive technologies for the power-by-wire (PBW) program:options, trends and tradeoffs. I. Motors and controllers

The Power-By-Wire (PEW) program involves the replacement of hydraulic and pneumatic systems currently used in aircraft with an all-electric secondary power system. One of the largest loads of the all-electric secondary power system will be the motor loads which include pumps, compressors and Electrical Actuators (EAs). Issues of improved reliability, reduced maintenance and efficiency, among other advantages, are the motivation for replacing the existing aircraft actuators with electrical actuators. The EA system contains the motor, the power electronic converters, the actuator and the control system, including the sensors. This paper and a companion paper give a comparative literature review in motor drive technologies, with a focus on the trends and tradeoffs involved in the selection of a particular motor drive technology. The reported research comprises the induction motor (IM), the brushless dc motor (BLDCM) and the switched reluctance motor (SRM) drive technologies. Each of the three drives has the potential for application in the PEW program. Many issues remain to be investigated and compared between the three motor drives, using actual mechanical loads expected in the PBW program     

A flat panel display upgrade solution replaces military CRTtechnology

Successful technology insertion programs must satisfy many system constraints in order to incorporate new capabilities into aging avionics systems while meeting program cost requirements. Such constraints frequently include form, fit, and functional replacement specifications, as well as power and electrical performance restrictions. This paper describes a technology insertion program undertaken with the goal of replacing the 30-year-old azimuth indicator display of a radar warning receiver system. This necessitated the use of electroluminescent (EL) display technology to replace the analog cathode ray tube display currently used in the system. Because of the prohibitively high cost of aircraft wiring modifications, the replacement display was required to be completely form, fit, and functionally equivalent to its replacement. The form, fit, and functional equivalency requirement imposed the following system constraints: (1) power consumption of less than 10 Watts; (2) the need to maintain the same stroke-deflection current electrical interface; and (3) the need to meet the maintenance and repair budget of the existing display unit. Additional requirements included night-vision compatibility and full sunlight readability. The display was also required to be MIL-STD-1553 Remote Terminal communication capable. All requirements posed a challenging technology insertion problem to program personnel. The case study described in this paper illustrates the approach to meeting the particular requirements of this technology insertion program     

太阳能无人机能源系统的关键技术与发展趋势

作为探索临近空间领域的新兴飞行器，太阳能无人机（SUAV）在性能、技术及任务航时均呈现出不同于传统飞行器的新特点。其中，太阳能无人机能源系统的比能量、比功率是影响飞机整体性能的核心因素。因此，本文首先对太阳能无人机的太阳电池、储能电池的发展现状进行了阐述，然后针对能量获取多元化、能源系统管理高效化、能源载荷一体化方向对太阳能无人机能源系统的未来发展趋势进行了展望。     

基于多电飞机的先进供电技术研究

阐述了多电飞机的特征,对多电飞机供电系统先进技术进行了研究,探讨了基于多电飞机的电气系统结构、电源系统、配电系统、负载自动管理技术等。     

用于航空高压直流电源系统的笼型异步发电机控制策略的研究

 现代电力电子技术的发展使得笼型异步发电机能够适用于航空高压直流系统中。着重对笼型异步电机与电力电子变换器结合构成的发电系统进行了研究,说明了采用直接转矩控制策略可使这种发电系统具有很好的动态特性。介绍了异步发电机直接转矩控制的原理与实现方法,并给出了仿真与实验结果。     

卫星导航进近技术进展

全球卫星定位系统（GNSS）增强系统能提供全天候无间断的卫星导航信号，可以辅助飞机进行进近。本文介绍了全球卫星导航系统进近着陆系统的基本组成、工作原理和功能特点，并对国内外研究进展进行了阐述。针对GNSS进近研究中的热点问题，重点论述了地基增强系统（GBAS）、星基增强系统（SBAS）、用户自主完好性监测（RAIM）等技术的发展现状，指出了GNSS进近技术实际工程应用仍然存在的问题，探讨了GNSS进近技术未来的发展方向。     

An Assessment of the 1990 Digital/Electric Airplane

The application of advanced systems technology has shown increasing promise for significant potential gains in airplane performance and efficiency. In late 1983, NASA initiated the integrated Digital/Electric Aicrat (IDEA) study programs to determine the impact of extensive use of advanced electrical and digital systems on future aircraft. The first objective of the IDEA program was the broad evaluation of improvements in airplane performance and economics resulting from the integrated introduction of digital controls and advanced electrical systems. The second program objective was the definition of research and development areas required to achieve the projected improvements. A baseline configuration was compared to the new IDEA configurations in terms of economic performance, fuel efficiency, and significant system and airplane configuration characteristics. Important factors (weight, reliability, maintainability, cost, performance, survivability, and environmental constraints) were determined and compared to form the basis for recommending the research and development necessary to implement IDEA concepts. Based on these developmental needs, research programs were recommended for high-risk, high-payoff areas appropriate for implementation under NASA leadership. The 1990 Baseline configuration represents a 6% to 8% fuel burn improvement over current technology. When compared to the 1990 Baseline airplane, the IDEA airplane systems showed a 1.8% improvement in direct operating cost (DOC) and a 3% improvement in fuel burn performance. In addition, significant economic improvement was apparent when the total operating cost was included.     

分布式电推进飞机电力系统研究综述

继飞机二次能源逐步统一为电能形成多电/全电飞机之后,电推进技术成为飞机动力系统电气化的重要发展方向,有望进一步提高飞机动力系统能量转换效率、降低燃油消耗和排放,代表了航空电气化的高级阶段。飞机电力系统及相关技术是支撑电推进技术发展的重要基础。系统总结了电推进飞机的类型与发展现状,论述了飞机混合动力系统及分布式电推进系统的基本概念、特点与意义。阐述了航空电推进系统的基本结构,比较了适用于分布式电推进系统的电力系统架构,系统分析了实现电推进技术所需的高效高功率密度电机、高效大容量功率变换器和综合热管理等关键技术。小型纯电动飞机正在逐步迈向实用化,而分布式混合电推进技术是中大型飞机电气化的重要方向,仍然需要航空机电和动力系统等交叉融合与创新发展。     

Open system concepts for modular avionics

Advanced communications, guidance and navigation systems play key roles in determining superiority of one combat aircraft over another. The use of advanced technology is essential to meeting the mission requirements of present as well as future aircraft. Modular avionics are being used in next generation aircraft, such as the Air Force F-22 fighter and the Army Comanche helicopter, as the means of achieving higher levels of performance, including reduced volume and improved adaptability, maintainability, and expandability. New system acquisitions such as Joint Strike Fighter will attempt to achieve these same performance levels but at dramatically reduced life cycle cost. Retrofit applications will also take on increasing roles in meeting this affordability need as the Department of Defense (DoD) struggles to maintain readiness in the face of the shrinking defense budget. The government is encouraging the use of open standards practices as a means of addressing the affordability issue. The Open Systems Joint Task Force (OS-JTF), formed in September 1994, is chartered to “sponsor and accelerate the adoption of open systems in weapons systems and subsystem electronics to reduce life-cycle costs and facilitate effective weapon system intra- and interoperability”. The purpose of this paper is to relate the concept of open systems to modular avionics. It discusses the key attributes of an open systems approach and identifies key technologies necessary for its success     

基于Mallat算法的飞机电网谐波检测系统

随着电力电子技术的广泛应用,谐波对飞机电网的污染越来越严重,检测、分析和抑制谐波已经成为重要的课题。小波变换具有时-频局部化特性,在电力系统的分析中具有广阔的应用前景。为实现对飞机电网谐波的快速检测、分析,将小波变换方法应用于飞机电气系统谐波检测中,提出了基于Mallat快速算法的谐波检测系统设计方案。实验结果表明,系统采用小波补偿的改进FFT算法进行谐波分析,可以将信号中不同频率的谐波快速有效地提取出来,并进行有针对性的分析,提高了谐波检测效率。