Periodic Reporting for period 1 - IMITAES (Insulation monitoring for IT Aerospace Electrical Systems)
Reporting period: 2021-07-01 to 2022-06-30
Current large passenger aircrafts use low voltage (below 1kVac rms or 1.5kVdc) distribution systems to transmit a relatively modest amount of power (below 1MW) for use in aircraft subsystems such as cabin conditioning and actuation. The existing power distribution systems often use the metallic airframe as the earthing system.
In the future, all electric aircrafts will need higher voltages to meet the increased needs for higher efficiency and power density.
With an increase in the predicted demand for high voltage electrical power in large passenger aircraft and other more electric aircraft concepts, new electrical distribution systems will be required to enable safe, light, highly efficient electrical propulsion systems.
To make electric or hybrid propulsion systems feasible, greater electrical power transmission at high voltage will be required. These higher voltage, however, create additional stresses to the electrical insulation of cables, electrical machines and components.
Monitoring the state of health of the insulation and detecting faults becomes crucial in safety critical systems such as aircrafts' power systems.
High power electrical systems in high reliability applications often utilise IT (Isolation Terra) earthing. IT earthing brings known advantages of fault current management and continued operation post fault. It also brings the challenge of correctly determining when an insulation fault has occurred, allowing the system to safely reconfigure or shutdown.
Despite their importance, insulation monitoring technologies have not been tested, proven, optimised and made commercially available for aerospace applications.
IMITAES will design, demonstrate and supply innovative insulation monitoring systems based on requirements of the aerospace sector.
In the future, all electric aircrafts will need higher voltages to meet the increased needs for higher efficiency and power density.
With an increase in the predicted demand for high voltage electrical power in large passenger aircraft and other more electric aircraft concepts, new electrical distribution systems will be required to enable safe, light, highly efficient electrical propulsion systems.
To make electric or hybrid propulsion systems feasible, greater electrical power transmission at high voltage will be required. These higher voltage, however, create additional stresses to the electrical insulation of cables, electrical machines and components.
Monitoring the state of health of the insulation and detecting faults becomes crucial in safety critical systems such as aircrafts' power systems.
High power electrical systems in high reliability applications often utilise IT (Isolation Terra) earthing. IT earthing brings known advantages of fault current management and continued operation post fault. It also brings the challenge of correctly determining when an insulation fault has occurred, allowing the system to safely reconfigure or shutdown.
Despite their importance, insulation monitoring technologies have not been tested, proven, optimised and made commercially available for aerospace applications.
IMITAES will design, demonstrate and supply innovative insulation monitoring systems based on requirements of the aerospace sector.
o Established specifications and completed gap analysis: a list of over 80 requirements to be considered for the development of the Insulation Monitoring Device (IMD) have been drawn following extensive discussions between the partners and the Topic Manager.
• Developed a simulation framework for the analysis of the aircraft power system and insulation monitoring device (IMD): A gap analysis has been conducted to identify any potential gap between requirements and functionalities already implemented in Bender IMD equipment. A detailed investigation and understanding of aerospace standards and applications has been completed.
• Conducted extensive simulations including several fault scenarios: Detailed simulations of a representative electrical network and an IMD have been performed. Analyses of various fault conditions, multichannel tests, and test of the IMD in a representative aircraft system (E-FanX) have been conducted. Multiple measurement techniques have been tested in different conditions to identify possible options for the implementation on the IMD prototype.
o The first IMD prototype has been designed and manufactured at Bender and is currently being put into operation.
• Developed a simulation framework for the analysis of the aircraft power system and insulation monitoring device (IMD): A gap analysis has been conducted to identify any potential gap between requirements and functionalities already implemented in Bender IMD equipment. A detailed investigation and understanding of aerospace standards and applications has been completed.
• Conducted extensive simulations including several fault scenarios: Detailed simulations of a representative electrical network and an IMD have been performed. Analyses of various fault conditions, multichannel tests, and test of the IMD in a representative aircraft system (E-FanX) have been conducted. Multiple measurement techniques have been tested in different conditions to identify possible options for the implementation on the IMD prototype.
o The first IMD prototype has been designed and manufactured at Bender and is currently being put into operation.
We have identified gaps in the current product design, testing methodologies and modelling that make them not yet suitable for applications in aircraft power systems.
We have developed novel simulation models that will aid future design of insulation monitoring for aircraft applications.
Bender has now developed a prototype that will help fill the gaps identified and will provide the basis for the first insulation monitoring device (IMD) specifically designed for the aerospace sector.
By the end of the project, we expect to demonstrate the first IMD specifically designed for the aircraft sector and validate its use in operating conditions typical of aircraft applications. The IMD will enable the use of high voltage IT power systems on-board which, in turn, will result in significant improvement in efficiency and reliability of future aircrafts. The project will benefit the European industry directly by enabling Bender to access a new market with potential significant growth. The European aerospace industry will also indirectly benefit through improved practices and an enabling product.
We have developed novel simulation models that will aid future design of insulation monitoring for aircraft applications.
Bender has now developed a prototype that will help fill the gaps identified and will provide the basis for the first insulation monitoring device (IMD) specifically designed for the aerospace sector.
By the end of the project, we expect to demonstrate the first IMD specifically designed for the aircraft sector and validate its use in operating conditions typical of aircraft applications. The IMD will enable the use of high voltage IT power systems on-board which, in turn, will result in significant improvement in efficiency and reliability of future aircrafts. The project will benefit the European industry directly by enabling Bender to access a new market with potential significant growth. The European aerospace industry will also indirectly benefit through improved practices and an enabling product.