SIGNAL RETURN NETWORK FOR COMPOSITE AIRCRAFT

Abstract

The present disclosure provides an aircraft (10), as well as systems and methods for reducing current flow to electrical systems onboard an aircraft (10). A signal return network (220) is spaced from a composite structure (210) and first and second non-conductive components (240) are attached between the signal return network (220) and the composite structure (210) at first and second attachment points (242, 244), respectively. A conductive component (250) is attached between the signal return network (220) and the composite structure (210) at a third attachment point (246) for electrically coupling the signal return network (220) to the composite structure (210).

Claims

1. An aircraft, comprising: a composite structure; a signal return network spaced from the composite structure; a first non-conductive component attached between the signal return network and the composite structure at a first attachment point; a second non-conductive component attached between the signal return network and the composite structure at a second attachment point; and a conductive component attached between the signal return network and the composite structure at a third attachment point for electrically coupling the signal return network to the composite structure.

2. The aircraft of claim 1, wherein the third attachment point is located substantially at a midpoint of the signal return network.

3. The aircraft of claim 1, wherein the first and second attachment points are respectively located at first and second ends of the signal return network.

4. The aircraft of claim 1, further comprising: at least one electrical system located within the aircraft; and at least one electrical connector for electrically coupling the electrical system to the signal return network.

5. The aircraft of claim 1, wherein the third attachment point is a sole electrical path from the composite structure to the signal return network, and wherein the remainder of the signal return network is electrically floating.

6. The aircraft of claim 1, wherein the signal return network is spaced at least one inch from the composite structure.

7. The aircraft of claim 1, wherein an impedance of the composite structure is less than an impedance of a path including the conductive component and the signal return network as viewed from the third attachment point.

8. The aircraft of claim 1, wherein an impedance of the signal return network between the third attachment point and the first attachment point is substantially equal to an impedance of the signal return network between the third attachment point and the second attachment point.

9. The aircraft of claim 1, wherein a total magnetic flux .sub.TOT generated in a closed electrical loop of the signal return network and a cable connected to the signal return network, the cable having a shielding and a core, is defined as ${}_{\mathrm{TOT}}=M_{\mathrm{sh}/\mathrm{srn}}\frac{I_{\mathrm{SRN}}}{2},$ where M.sub.sh/snr is a mutual inductance between the cable shielding and the signal return network, is the length of the signal return network, and I.sub.SRN is a current received by the signal return network.

10. The aircraft of claim 9, wherein a time-varying voltage induced in the cable core V.sub.inc(t) is defined as $V_{\mathrm{inc}}\left(t\right)=R_{\mathrm{sh}}\frac{M_{\mathrm{sh}/c}}{L_{\mathrm{sh}}-M_{\mathrm{sh}/\mathrm{srn}}}\frac{I_{\mathrm{SRN}}\left(0\right)}{2}{e}^{-\frac{R_{\mathrm{sh}}}{L_{\mathrm{sh}}-M_{\mathrm{sh}/\mathrm{srn}}}.Math.t},$ where t is time, R.sub.sh is a cable shielding transfer resistance, L.sub.sh is a cable shielding transfer inductance, M.sub.sh/c is a mutual inductance between the cable shielding and the cable core, I.sub.SRN(0) is a current in the signal return network at a time t=0.

11. A system for reducing current flow to at least one electrical system of an aircraft, comprising: a composite structure for receiving an electrical current; a conductive component attached to the composite structure for splitting the electrical current into a structure current travelling along the composite structure and a conductive path current travelling along the conductive component; a signal return network spaced from the composite structure and attached to the conductive component to electrically couple the signal return network to the composite structure to split the conductive path current into first and second signal return network currents which are routed through the signal return network in opposite directions toward the at least one electrical system; and first and second non-conductive components attached between the signal return network and the composite structure at first and second attachment points, respectively.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the signal return network is attached to the conductive component at a third attachment point located substantially at a midpoint of the signal return network.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the first and second attachment points are respectively located at the first and second ends of the signal return network.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the conductive component is a sole electrical path from the composite structure to the signal return network, and wherein the remainder of the signal return network is electrically floating.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the signal return network is spaced at least one inch from the composite structure.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein an impedance of the composite structure is less than an impedance of a path including the conductive component and the signal return network as viewed from the third attachment point.

17. The system of claim 11, wherein an impedance of the signal return network between the conductive component and the first attachment point is substantially equal to an impedance of the signal return network between the conductive component and the second attachment point.

18. The system of claim 11, wherein a total magnetic flux .sub.TOT generated in a closed electrical loop of the signal return network and a cable connected to the signal return network, the cable having a shielding and a core, is defined as ${}_{\mathrm{TOT}}=M_{\mathrm{sh}/\mathrm{srn}}\frac{I_{\mathrm{SRN}}}{2},$ where M.sub.sh/snr is a mutual inductance between the cable shielding and the signal return network, is the length of the signal return network, and I.sub.SRN is a current received by the signal return network.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein a time-varying voltage induced in the cable core V.sub.inc(t) is defined as $V_{\mathrm{inc}}\left(t\right)=R_{\mathrm{sh}}\frac{M_{\mathrm{sh}/c}}{L_{\mathrm{sh}}-M_{\mathrm{sh}/\mathrm{srn}}}\frac{I_{\mathrm{SRN}}\left(0\right)}{2}{e}^{-\frac{R_{\mathrm{sh}}}{L_{\mathrm{sh}}-M_{\mathrm{sh}/\mathrm{srn}}}.Math.t},$ where t is time, R.sub.sh is a cable shielding transfer resistance, L.sub.sh is a cable shielding transfer inductance, M.sub.sh/c is a mutual inductance between the cable shielding and the cable core, I.sub.SRN(0) is a current in the signal return network at a time t=0.

20. A method for reducing current flow to at least one electrical system of an aircraft, comprising: receiving an electrical current at a composite structure of an aircraft; splitting the electrical current into a structure current travelling along the composite structure and a conductive path current traveling through a conductive component to the composite structure; splitting the conductive path current into first and second signal return network currents traveling along a signal return network in opposite directions; and routing the first and second signal return network currents to the at least one electrical system to produce opposite induced currents in the at least one electrical system.

21-27. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Further features and advantages of embodiments described herein may become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in combination with the appended drawings, in which:

[0036] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example aircraft.

[0037] FIG. 2 is a diagram of a signal return network design according to an embodiment.

[0038] FIGS. 3A-D is a current flow diagram based on the signal return network design of FIG. 2.

[0039] FIG. 4 is circuit diagram of the signal return network design of FIG. 2.

[0040] FIG. 5 is a chart of example frequency responses of aircraft to exterior currents.

[0041] FIG. 6 is a block diagram representation of the signal return network of FIG. 2.

[0042] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a method for reducing current flow to at least one electrical system of an aircraft according to an embodiment.

[0043] It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like features are identified by like reference numerals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] With reference to FIG. 1, an aircraft 10, having a fuselage 11, a pair of wings 14, and a tail 16, is equipped with a cockpit 12 and one or more flight components 18. The aircraft 10 can be any type of aircraft, including propeller planes, jet planes, turbojet planes, turbo-propeller planes, turboshaft planes, gliders, and the like. The cockpit 12 may be positioned at any suitable location on the aircraft 10, for example at a front portion of the fuselage 11. The cockpit 12 is configured for accommodating one or more pilots who control the aircraft 10 by way of one or more operator controls (not illustrated). The operator controls may include any suitable number of pedals, yokes, steering wheels, centre sticks, flight sticks, levers, knobs, switches, and the like.

[0045] The fuselage 11 is a composite fuselage which can be made from one or more composite materials, including fiberglass, carbon fiber, polymers, glass, and the like. In certain embodiments, the fuselage is made of a plurality of layers of composite materials. The wings 14 and the tail 16 can also be made of any one or more composite materials, which may be the same material(s) as used for the fuselage 11, or may be a different material or composition of materials.

[0046] With reference to FIG. 2, the aircraft 10 can be designed to provide a signal return network for reducing current flow to at least one electrical system of the aircraft 10. More specifically, a signal return network 220 is spaced from a composite structure 210 of the aircraft 10. The composite structure 210 can be the fuselage 11 or a portion thereof, one or more of the wings 14 or a portion thereof, the tail 16 or a portion thereof, or any suitable combination thereof. The signal return network 220 can be a line, mesh or other structure made of any suitably conductive material. In some embodiments, the signal return network 220 is a metallic line made of copper, for example. The signal return network 220 is spaced from the composite structure 210 by any suitable distance, for example at least one inch.

[0047] A pair of non-conductive components 240 are attached between the signal return network 220 and the composite structure 210. The non-conductive components 240 are used to secure the signal return network 220 to the composite structure 210. A first of the non-conductive components 240 is located at a first attachment point 242, and a second of the non-conductive components 240 is located at a second attachment point 244. The first and second attachment points 242, 244, can be located at substantially opposite ends of the signal return network 220, or at any other suitable position. The non-conductive components 240 can be any component suitable for securing the signal return network 220 to the composite structure 210, for example supports made of plastic or other dielectrics. Although only two non-conductive components 240 are illustrated, it should be understood that any suitable number of non-conductive components can be attached between the signal return network 220 and the composite structure 210.

[0048] Additionally, a conductive component 250 is attached between the signal return network 220 and the composite structure 210 at a third attachment point 246. The conductive component 250 can be made of a conductive metal, such as copper, silver, aluminum, or of any other suitably conductive material which allows for electrically coupling the signal return network 220 to the composite structure 210. The third attachment point 246 may be located at a midpoint of the signal return network 220, at a midpoint between the first and second attachment points 242, 244, or at any other suitable position relative to the signal return network 220 and/or the first and second non-conductive components 240. In short, the conductive component 250 acts as the conductive path between the composite structure 210 and the signal return network 220, with the remainder of the signal return network 220 electrically floating with respect to the composite structure 210.

[0049] The aircraft 10 also includes one or more electrical systems 230 shown here as electrical system 232 and 234 which are electrically coupled to the signal return network 220, and use the signal return network 220 as a ground plane. The electrical systems 230 can be coupled to the signal return network 220 using any suitable connection means, for example cable bundles or shielded cabling, and may be interconnected in any suitable way. For example, each of the electrical systems 230 can be connected to the signal return network 220 via one or more wires welded, bonded, or otherwise connected to the signal return network 220.

[0050] With reference to FIGS. 3A-D, a series of current flow diagrams is shown. In FIG. 3A, an exterior current 300, for example a lightning bolt, strikes the composite structure 210, causing a first structure current 310 to travel along the composite structure 210. In certain cases, the first structure current 310 travels along a surface of the composite structure 210. In other cases, the first structure current 310 travels through the composite structure 210. In still other cases, the first structure current 310 can travel both along the surface of the composite structure 210 and through the composite structure 210.

[0051] In FIG. 3B, upon reaching the conductive component 250, the first structure current 310 splits into a second structure current 320 and a conductive path current 330. The second structure current 320 continues along the surface of and/or through the composite structure 210, and the conductive path current 330 travels along the conductive component 250 from the composite structure 210 to the signal return network 220. In some embodiments, the conductive path current 330 is smaller in magnitude than the second structure current 320. In other embodiments, the conductive path current 330 and the second structure current 320 have substantially similar magnitudes.

[0052] In FIG. 3C, upon reaching the signal return network 220, the conductive path current 330 is split into first and second signal return network currents 342, 344. The first and second signal return network currents 342, 344 travel along the signal return network 220 in opposite directions, and have magnitudes proportional to the portion of the signal return network 220 along which the first and second signal return network currents 342, 344 travel. For example, if the third attachment point 246 where the conductive component 250 is located is at a midpoint of the signal return network 220, the first and second signal return network currents 342, 344 will each travel along roughly half of the signal return network 220. Both halves of the signal return network 220 will have substantially equal impedances, and thus the first and second signal return network currents 342, 344 will have substantially equal magnitudes being roughly half of the magnitude of the conductive path current 330.

[0053] In FIG. 3D, the first and second signal return network currents 342, 344 travel along the signal return network 220 to the electrical systems 230. Because the first and second signal return network currents 342, 344 travel in opposite directions, the first and second signal return network currents 342, 344 will produce opposite induced currents in the electrical systems 230, thereby reducing the overall current to which the electrical systems 230 are subjected.

[0054] Thus, because the signal return network 220 is electrically coupled to the composite structure 210 via the conductive component 250 and is otherwise electrically floating, any current travelling along the conductive component 250 to the signal return network 220 is split in two parts namely first and second signal return network currents 342, 344 which will at least partially counteract when inducing currents in the electrical systems 230. In certain embodiments, the induced currents may be up to 6 dB (decibel) lower than those to which the electric systems 230 may be subjected in aircraft where the signal return network 220 is connected to the composite structure 210 at multiple points.

[0055] With reference to FIG. 4, a circuit diagram is provided to illustrate the embodiment of FIG. 2. Here, the composite structure 210 is modelled as a resistor 412; the conductive component 250 is modelled as a resistor 450; the signal return network 220 is modelled as two branches split about the third attachment point 246, each having a resistor 422, 428 and an inductor 424, 426; a cable shielding 430 for cabling leading to the electrical systems 230 is modelled as two resistor-inductor pairs 432, 434 and 436, 438; and a cable core 440 for the cabling is modelled as two inductors 442, 444. A mutual inductance 464 develops between the inductors 424 and 434, that is between a first branch of the signal return network 220 and a first branch of the cable shielding 430. Similarly, a second mutual inductance 466 develops between the inductors 426 and 436, that is between a second branch of the signal return network 220 and a second branch of the cable shielding 430.

[0056] As discussed hereinabove, the exterior current 300 reaches the conductive component 250 and splits to send the conductive path current 330 through the conductive component 250 toward the signal return network 220. The conductive path current 330 then splits as it enters the signal return network 220 according to equation (1):

I.sub.CP=I.sub.SNR1+I.sub.SNR2(1)

where I.sub.CP is the conductive path current 330, I.sub.SNR1 is the first signal return network current 342, and I.sub.SNR2 is the second signal return network current 344.

[0057] Due to the direction of the currents I.sub.SNR1 and I.sub.SNR2 two magnetic fluxes will develop in the closed loop of the signal return network 220 and the cable shielding 430, according to equation (2) and (3):

[00007]$\begin{array}{cc}{}_1=L_{\mathrm{sh}}\mathrm{length}\left(I_{\mathrm{SNR}.Math..Math.1}-I_{\mathrm{SNR}.Math..Math.2}\right)+\frac{\mathrm{length}}{2}.Math.M_{\mathrm{sh}/\mathrm{sn}}.Math.I_{\mathrm{SNR}.Math..Math.2}& \left(2\right)\\ {}_2=L_{\mathrm{sh}}\mathrm{length}\left(I_{\mathrm{SNR}.Math..Math.2}-I_{\mathrm{SNR}.Math..Math.1}\right)+\frac{\mathrm{length}}{2}.Math.M_{\mathrm{sh}/\mathrm{sn}}.Math.I_{\mathrm{SNR}.Math..Math.1}& \left(3\right)\end{array}$

where .sub.1 and .sub.2 are the first and second magnetic fluxes, respectively, L.sub.sh is the inductance of the cable shielding 430, modelled as inductors 434 and 436, length is the length of the signal return network 220, and M.sub.sh/sn is the mutual inductance coupling between the signal return network 220 and the cable shielding 430, shown as elements 464 and 466.

[0058] These fluxes can be expressed as a sum, as in equation (4):

[00008]$\begin{array}{cc}\underset{i=1}{\overset{2}{.Math.}}.Math.{}_i=M_{\mathrm{sh}/\mathrm{sn}}\frac{\mathrm{length}}{2}\left(I_{\mathrm{SNR}.Math..Math.2}+I_{\mathrm{SNR}.Math..Math.1}\right)={}_{\mathrm{Tot}}& \left(4\right)\end{array}$

where .sub.Tot is a total magnetic flux.

[0059] In embodiments where the third attachment point 246 is located substantially at a midpoint of the signal return network 220, the first and second signal return network currents 342, 344 will be substantially equal, since the first and second branches of the signal return network 220 will present a substantially equivalent impedance. Thus,

[00009]$\begin{array}{cc}{I}_{\mathrm{SNR}.Math..Math.1}=I_{\mathrm{SNR}.Math..Math.2}=\frac{I_{\mathrm{CP}}}{2}& \left(5\right)\end{array}$

and equation (4) can be rewritten as

[00010]$\begin{array}{cc}\underset{i=1}{\overset{2}{.Math.}}.Math.{}_i={}_{\mathrm{Tot}}=M_{\mathrm{sh}/\mathrm{sn}}\mathrm{length}\frac{I_{\mathrm{CP}}}{2}& \left(6\right)\end{array}$

and magnetic flux .sub.Tot, which produces an induced current on the cable shielding 430 by the mutual inductances 464, 466 between the signal return network 220 and the cable shielding 430, is proportional to half the conductive path current 330.

[0060] The time-variant current induced on the cable shielding I.sub.sh(t) can be expressed as equation (7):

[00011]$\begin{array}{cc}{I}_{\mathrm{sh}}\left(t\right)=I_{\mathrm{CP}}.Math.e^{\left(-\frac{R_{\mathrm{sh}}}{L_{\mathrm{sh}}-M_{\mathrm{sh}/\mathrm{sn}}}.Math.t\right)}& \left(7\right)\end{array}$

[0061] where t is time, R.sub.sh is the cable shielding transfer resistance, and L.sub.sh is the cable shielding transfer inductance. In equation (7).

[00012]$L_{\mathrm{sh}}-M_{\frac{\mathrm{sh}}{\mathrm{sn}}}>0.$

[0062] Based on equations (6) and (7), the time-varying voltage developed on the cable core 440 via magnetic induction V.sub.core(t) can be expressed as equation (8):

[00013]$\begin{array}{cc}{V}_{\mathrm{core}}\left(t\right)=R_{\mathrm{sh}}\frac{M_{\mathrm{sh}/c}}{L_{\mathrm{sh}}-M_{\mathrm{sh}/\mathrm{sn}}}\frac{I_{\mathrm{CP}}\left(0\right)\mathrm{length}}{2}{e}^{\left(-\frac{R_{\mathrm{sh}}}{L_{\mathrm{sh}}-M_{\mathrm{sh}/\mathrm{sn}}}.Math.t\right)}& \left(8\right)\end{array}$

where M.sub.sh/c is the mutual inductance between the cable shielding 430 and the cable core 440.

[0063] The time-varying voltage developed on the cable core 440 via magnetic induction V.sub.core(t) of equation (8) can be compared to the voltage induced on the cable core 440 when a conventional signal return network system is implemented. This comparison is more easily performed in the frequency domain, where the frequency-dependent voltage developed on the cable core 440 via magnetic induction V.sub.core() can be expressed by equation (9):

[00014]$\begin{array}{cc}{V}_{\mathrm{core}}\left(\right)=R_{\mathrm{sh}}\frac{M_{\mathrm{sh}/c}}{L_{\mathrm{sh}}-M_{\mathrm{sh}/\mathrm{sn}}}\frac{I_{\mathrm{CP}}\left(0\right)\mathrm{length}}{2}\frac{\frac{R_{\mathrm{sh}}}{L_{\mathrm{sh}}-M_{\mathrm{sh}/\mathrm{sn}}}-j.Math..Math.}{{}^2+{\left(\frac{R_{\mathrm{sh}}}{L_{\mathrm{sh}}-M_{\mathrm{sh}/\mathrm{sn}}}\right)}^2}& \left(9\right)\end{array}$

where is angular frequency, such that =2f, where f is frequency.

[0064] With reference to FIG. 5, results of a comparison of an example response of aircraft 10 with the embodiment of FIG. 2 and a conventional aircraft, to an exterior current 300 is shown, with the example response of aircraft 10 shown as line 502, and the response of the conventional aircraft shown as line 504. Thus, as discussed hereinabove, in certain embodiments, the induced currents to which the electrical systems 230 are subjected may be up to 6 dB (decibel) lower than those to which the electrical systems 230 would be subjected in the conventional aircraft.

[0065] With reference to FIG. 6, the aircraft 10 includes a system 200 for reducing current flow to one or more electrical systems 230 of the aircraft 10. The system 200 includes the composite structure 210, the conductive component 250, the first and second branches of the signal return network 220.sub.1, 220.sub.2, and optionally the electrical systems 230 themselves. The conductive component 250 is attached to the composite structure 210 to split the exterior current 300 into a structure current travelling along the composite structure 210, for example the second structure current 320, and the conductive path current 330 travelling along the conductive component 250. The signal return network 220 is attached to the conductive component 250 to electrically couple the two branches 220.sub.1, 220.sub.2 of the signal return network 220 to the composite structure 210 in order to split the conductive path current 330 into first and second signal return network currents 342, 344 which are routed through the signal return network 220 in opposite directions toward the at least one electrical system 230. The system 200 can also include the first and second non-conductive components 240 which are attached between the signal return network 220 and the composite structure 210 at the first and second attachment points 242, 244, respectively.

[0066] The exterior current 300 strikes the composite structure 210, and a portion of the exterior current 300 is redirected along the conductive component 250 as the conductive path current 330. The conductive path current 330 travelling along the conductive component 250 is split between the two branches of the signal return network 220.sub.1, 220.sub.2, and both signal return network currents 342, 344 travelling along the branches of the signal return network 220.sub.1, 220.sub.2 then travel to the electrical systems 230.

[0067] With reference to FIG. 7, a method 700 is shown for reducing current flow to the electrical systems 230 of the aircraft 10. At step 702, an electrical current, such as the exterior current 300, is received at the composite structure 210 of the aircraft 10. The received current travels along the composite structure 210 as the first structure current 310.

[0068] At step 704, the received current, for example travelling along the composite structure 210 as the first structure current 310, is split into the second structure current 320 which travels along the composite structure 210 and the conductive path current 330 which travels along the conductive component 250. In some embodiments, the impedance of the conductive component 250 is greater than the impedance of the composite structure 210, and thus a magnitude of the second structure current 320 is greater than a magnitude of the conductive path current 330.

[0069] At step 706, the conductive path current 330 is split into the first and second signal return network currents 342, 344 which travel along the signal return network 220 in opposite directions. The conductive path current 330 can be split by attaching the signal return network 220 to the composite structure 210 via the first and second non-conductive components 240 at the first and second attachment points 242, 244, and via the conductive component 250 at the third attachment point 246. In some embodiments, the conductive path current 330 is split substantially at a midpoint of the signal return network 220. In other embodiments, the conductive path 250 is a sole electrical path from the composite structure 210 to the signal return network 220, and the remainder of the signal return network 220 is electrically floating.

[0070] At step 708, the first and second signal return network currents 342, 344 are routed to the electrical systems 230 to produce opposite induced currents in the electrical systems 230. Thus, implementation of the method 700 can cause magnetic fluxes and voltages to be generated as described hereinabove. This serves to reduce the induced voltage generated at the electrical systems 230, which in turn can lead to lowered requirements for cable shielding for the electrical systems 230. In certain embodiments, the first and second signal return network currents 342, 344 have substantially equal magnitudes.

[0071] Various aspects of the methods and systems for reducing current flow to electrical systems of an aircraft disclosed herein, as well as the aircraft itself, may be used alone, in combination, or in a variety of arrangements not specifically discussed in the embodiments described in the foregoing and is therefore not limited in its application to the details and arrangement of components set forth in the foregoing description or illustrated in the drawings. For example, aspects described in one embodiment may be combined in any manner with aspects described in other embodiments. Although particular embodiments have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention in its broader aspects. The scope of the following claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments set forth in the examples, but should be given the broadest reasonable interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.