Electrical systems architecture for an aircraft, and related operating methods

US7687927B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Boeing Company · US

Inventors

• Mark S. Shander · Seattle, US
• Richard Cote · Bolton, US
• Michael L. Drake · Bellevue, US
• Howard Carter, III · Chesterfield, US
• John T. Peters · Edmonds, US
• Casey Y. K. Ng · Issaquah, US
• Michael Hoag · Kent, US
• John T. Paterson · Mukilteo, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 21, 2007
• Grant date: Mar 30, 2010
• Expiry date: Nov 21, 2027

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02T50/50
• WIPO field: Electrical machinery, apparatus, energy
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

An electrical architecture for an aircraft is provided. The electrical architecture is particularly suitable for relatively small, compact, and lightweight aircraft. In one embodiment, the electrical architecture includes an electrical generator component coupled to the aircraft engine, and an air compression system coupled to the electrical generator component. The electrical generator component is configured to receive mechanical power from the engine and to generate a constant frequency AC electrical power from the engine mechanical power, and the air compression system is configured to receive the constant frequency AC power as an input and, in response thereto, produce a pressurized air output having variable characteristics (for example, a variable flow rate or a variable air pressure).