Abstract:
An integration method and module aims at simplifying the electrical connections between equipment and an electrical power center to be supplied electricity, while enabling a good accessibility of each piece of equipment for easier maintenance. To do so, a particular integration of this equipment is carried out so as to be able to connect the equipment in a direct extension of the electrical power center. According to one embodiment, an integration module includes a frame and a cover, the frame having a substantially parallelepipedic shape adapted to be able to extend longitudinally along a main axis in parallel with a longitudinal main side of the electrical power center. Cells, which define a constant cross section and an adjustable width enabled by movable intermediary walls, extend perpendicularly to the main longitudinal axis. Such cells are adapted to receive formatted electrical equipment.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The invention relates to a method for integrating equipment for a complex electrical power centre in a structure to be electrically supplied, in particular for a plane power centre. The invention also relates to an electrical power integrating module adapted for implementing the method. The invention applies particularly to commercial planes being in operation nowadays. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Thus, in a main application, but not exclusively, the invention relates to the electrical system on board planes. In such a system, an “electrical power centre” function is conventionally integrated into a technical cargo compartment of the plane so as to manage and distribute electrical power for all consumers. Such management is structured depending on the different operating modes being predefined according to the flight phases and conditions, in particular depending on predetermined failure cases. 
     Owing to the present tendency to the “all-electrical” on board planes, such electrical system becomes the main system in terms of on-board distribution power for technical and also commercial reasons. 
     In such conditions, the component size in the electrical system increases substantially and the installation becomes more complex, in particular the implementing means for the electrical power centre function. 
     The integration of the “electrical power centre” function has thus turned out to be problematic due to the complexity thereof and to the new requirements dictated by safety (for instance, doubling the voltage) as well as to the environmental structures in a composite material based on carbon fibers. The cargo compartment area dedicated to the electrical power centre function is now saturated in terms of congestion, in particular with the number of interconnecting cables between electrical boxes. The maintenance of such area may become delicate. 
     In general, for practical reasons, the “electrical power centre” function is divided into two independent assemblies, except obviously for the power centre-to-power centre or inter-power centre interconnections arranged “on the left side” and “on the right side” in the dedicated area. 
     Each of such assemblies comprises a main box, being conventionally designated by “electrical power centre”, and a set of satellite boxes also referred to as “power boxes”. For practical reasons such as congestion, mass, high heat dissipation, problematic electrical connections, and electromagnetic disturbances, such power boxes are not integrated into the main box. 
     The complexity of the overall installation, resulting from the “all-electrical” evolution mentioned hereinabove, then results in an increasing number of satellite boxes connected to the main box depending on the structure thereof. 
     In general, each main box can be structured into several main areas: so-called “normal” areas and one emergency area, each area being itself divided into places with different voltages: alternating current and direct current areas. All those areas stay totally independent. 
     Relating to the satellite boxes, they are formed with equipment dedicated to the power supply of the areas of the main boxes, each satellite box being associated with a determined area. Such equipment using large section electrical connections consist in general in:
         autotransformer units (in short ATU) for transforming alternating voltages, each ATU unit having a high mass, typically 30 kg;   transformer-rectifier units (in short TRU) for rectifying alternating current into direct current, each TRU unit having also a high mass, typically about 25 kg;   static undulators for converting direct current into alternating current, with also a typical mass of about 15 to 20 kg; and   batteries of about 50 kg per unit.       

     Such conventional architecture suffers from major disadvantages, in particular:
         the immobilization of a high volume in the cargo compartment;   over-lengths of connecting cables involving mass loss and a problematic line drop for direct current;   some complexity for wiring and overall integration of the cables;   a reduced access to heavy equipment involving a difficult maintenance, requiring two operators for some equipment;   a specific venting circuit being complex, bulky and expensive due to congestion;   a decreased integrity and thus a reduced reliability for the electrical power centre function due to the fact that such function is burst out and the connecting cables are vulnerable; and   a bad mechanical behaviour, in particular with respect to severe vibrations, of the equipment holding assemblies, such assemblies being sometimes able to be “aerial”, i.e. on a cantilever frame being far from the fuselage; the problem results from the integration from the cubic shape (the equipment) to a wholly curved shape (the lower fuselage boat hull).       

     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention aims at removing such disadvantages through simplifying the electrical connections of the equipment while allowing for a good accessibility of each piece of equipment and an easier maintenance. The invention also aims at allowing for a quick integration for an industrial implementation of the installation. To do so, a particular integration of such equipment is carried out with a direct relationship with the electrical power centre. 
     More precisely, an object of the present invention is to provide an integration method for equipment being dedicated to the power supply of an electrical power centre for a structure to be electrically supplied. Each piece of equipment is associated with one determined area of the electrical power centre. Such a method consists in formatting the equipment so as to be able to integrate them in alignment along the electrical power centre and to connect them in the direct extension of such power centre via an opposite electrical connection. 
     In particular, the electrical connection can integrate inter-power centre crossing connections when the structure comprises at least two electrical power centres. 
     Formatting the equipment is performed according to a parallelepipedic shape of a determined section and varying width. 
     In particular, splitting the equipment allows the equipment to homogenously distribute the equipment for transportation and optimized maintenance. In this case, the overall power of split equipment can be recovered through a series or parallel connection, for example at the level of the outlet connection of the module. 
     Advantageously, a fluidic cooling circulation, in particular through a forced circulation, is provided with an interface between relevant formatted equipment and an external circuit. A thermal insulation can be provided so as to insulate individually some pieces of equipment. 
     The invention also relates to an electrical power integration module being able to implement such a method. The module consists in a frame and a cover being hinged on the upper part of the frame in operation. The frame has a substantially parallelepipedic shape adapted to be able to extend longitudinally along a main axis in parallel with a longitudinal main side of an electrical power centre for the structure to be electrically supplied. 
     Such a module comprises cells of a constant section extending perpendicularly to the main axis and of a width to be adjusted along the main axis by intermediary movable dividing walls. The cells are adapted to receive electrical equipment being formatted in section according to the cell section. Each cell comprises stationary electrical connectors for an interface between the equipment connectors and the electrical power centre through direct connections formed by dedicated harnesses. 
     Such architecture allows electrical connections to be arranged at short distances and with a high reliability. 
     The module can also comprise a cooling circuit being active by fluid circulation with an interface with the formatted equipment, as well as at least a cell dividing wall provided with a thermal insulator for the equipment being inserted into such a cell. 
     The go-and-return side channels are connected to the ends of internal cooling circuits of the equipment through connectors arranged to be coupled while mounted on the equipment and the corresponding intermediary walls. Advantageously, the connectors for the cooling circuits of the equipment and the intermediary walls are quick connectors of the quick disconnect type. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       Other data, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be evident upon reading the non limited description that follows, referring to the accompanying Figs., wherein, respectively: 
         FIG. 1  is a view of an equipment set to be standardized according to a schematically illustrated model; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic perspective view of an exemplary connection between an electrical power centre and a power module according to the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view more in detail of such module; 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the previous module example in relationship with the primary frame of a front technical cargo compartment in a plane, 
         FIG. 5  is a part perspective of the previous module underlining the trellis structure thereof; 
         FIG. 6  is a view illustrating the positioning in two steps of a piece of equipment shown in a rotated upward view and aligned with the cell thereof shown in another view, and then inserted into the cell; 
         FIG. 7   a  is a schematic view showing the module-electrical power centre; 
         FIG. 7   b  is a schematic view showing the inter-power centre connections; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an exemplary cell provided with thermally insulated walls for battery-type equipment; and 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an example of cooling system through forced circulation in a power module according to the invention, with quick connection interfaces for equipment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The terms “upper” and derivatives, “lower” and derivatives, as well as “vertical” and derivatives, relate to a relative localization of elements or element parts positioned in operation or equivalent. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the set E illustrates electrical equipment of an electrically autonomous structure, a plane in the example. This equipment has different sizes. There can be mentioned three autotransformers (AT)  1 , two transformers-current rectifiers (TR)  2 , a static undulator  3 , two batteries  4  and other pieces of equipment  5 ,  6 ,  7  associated with the electrical power centre so as to be applied to the APU (auxiliary power unit). The “electrical power centre” function is divided into two independent boxes or power centres  9  (only the left power centre is represented on the Figs.). 
     Each of the pieces of equipment  1  to  7  is formatted (arrow F 1 ) according to a model  10  in a wholly parallelepipedic shape with a main section  11  of a determined size. Such formatting is made possible by an internal rearrangement of the different elements of equipment with a width  12  of the model  10  being variable as a function of the congestion of the elements. Such adaptable width  12  provides the degree of freedom allowing for the formatting in the equipment. 
     On the perspective view of  FIG. 2 , the formatted pieces of equipment S 1  to S 8  are arranged in a power module  20  (represented in a cutaway view) opposite the electrical power centre  9 . The pieces of equipment are assembled together in parallel with each other so that their main section  11  stays perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X′X of the module  20 . The formatted pieces of equipment S 1  to S 8  are inserted according to such a rank that each piece of equipment is respectively opposite the connection C 3  to C 8  of the power centre  9  corresponding to the organ it controls or it supplies in electricity. 
     Thus, the pieces of equipment form an extension of the power centre  9  through a direct electrical connection. The module  20  individually receives each formatted piece of equipment S 1  to S 8  in relationship with such electrical connection being adapted in interface, as will be described below. 
     The connection is performed by harnesses  13  formed by conductor webs. Other harnesses  14  cross the module  20  so as to arrange inter-power centre connections between the power centres  9 . 
     In the example, a splitting of the battery equipment  4  has been made so as to allow for a more homogenous distribution of the equipment in mass and congestion. Transportation and maintenance are thus optimized. In such a case, the overall power of the initial battery is recovered through a series or parallel arrangement at the level of the outlet connection on the module  20 . 
       FIG. 3  shows the module  20  in a more detailed perspective view. The module  20  consists in a frame  22  and a cover  24  being hinged on the frame  22  and located in the upper part of the module in an operational mode. The frame  22  has a substantially parallelepipedic shape extending along a main longitudinal axis X′X and a main longitudinal section  21  (e.g. cross section) perpendicular to the sections  11  of the inserted equipment. Such a frame  22  extends directly opposite a main side  9   f  of the electrical power centre  9  of the plane. 
     The module  20  comprises cells  26  of a section  26   s  (e.g. cross section) being substantially equal to the section  11  of the formatted equipment and extending perpendicularly to the main axis X′X of the module  20 . The width  20   a  of the cells  26  is adjustable as a function of the width of the equipment to be inserted by moving the movable intermediary dividing walls  28  sliding along said main axis X′X. 
     Each cell  26  receives electrical equipment being formatted in section, such as the equipment S 1  shown on  FIG. 3 . The formatted equipment is advantageously provided with grips  25 . The module  20  forms a closed volume in a locking position for the cover  24  with the help of a multipoint hinge  27 . 
     Referring to the side view of the power centre  9  located opposite the module  20  according to the  FIG. 4 , it appears that the module  20  is locally substituted for the cargo compartment floor  30 . The frame  22  of the module  20  lies then as a primary sub-structure on top of the support framework  40  of the floor  30 . Advantageously, the power module  20  is then adapted for receiving high mechanical stresses. 
     The frame  22  is rigidly fastened on the framework  40  by four fasteners  44 . It is laterally blocked on the electrical power centre  9  by connecting rods  46 . On this  FIG. 4 , there are also the electrical connection harnesses  13  of the module  20  towards the power centre  9  and the connection harnesses  14  towards the other associated power centre (not shown). 
     The frame and the intermediary dividing walls of the module  20  are preferably added so as to limit the mass and make easier thermal dissipation. In one example, this frame  22  and the dividing walls  28  are made according to a trellis structure, as illustrated by the perspective view of  FIG. 5 . So as to simplify the Fig., the elements are represented in the wire state. The trellis  23  consists in bars  23   a  along the edges thereof or in parallel with the latter, and in diagonal bars  23   d  crossing the sides defined between the edge bars  23   a.    
     Such trellis structure enables to optimize the mass/stiffness ratio and to facilitate the power centre-to-power centre side electrical connections by the harnesses as well as the connections with the cooling circuit (see description with respect to  FIG. 6  or  9 ). In particular,  FIG. 6  shows that the piece of equipment S 1  comprises two quick connectors S 1  of the “quick disconnect” type of a cooling circuit on an upper edge of one main side S 1   p  of the piece of equipment S 1 . These connectors  51  are coupled with an external circuit (not shown) for cooling the piece of equipment S 1 . The piece of equipment S 1  also possesses electrical connectors on the lower bottom side S 1   f : one control connector S 1   a  and one power connector S 1   b.    
     In a first step (arrow E 1 ), the piece of equipment S 1  is vertically positioned above the cell  26  using the grip  15  of the equipment. Then, in a second step (arrow E 2 ), the piece of equipment S 1  is inserted within the cell  26 . 
     The cell  26  is shown in phantom so as to make control interface and power connectors  26   a  and  26   b  evident. Such connectors  26   a  and  26   b , being arranged on lower platelets  2   p  forming a cell bottom  26   p , are connected—at the end of the insertion of the piece of equipment S 1  within the cell  26 —to the corresponding connectors S 1   a  and S 1   b  of the piece of equipment S 1 . At the cell outlet, the control and power electrical conductors  1   a  and  1   b , connected to the interface connectors  26   a  and  26   b , are segregated and form the conductors of the harnesses  13 . 
     The cell  26  also comprises, on the upper edge of the intermediary wall  28  thereof, quick disconnect connectors  52  coupled with side channels  61   a  and  62   b  for the go-and-return circulation of a cooling fluid. At the end of insertion of the piece of equipment S 1 , the connectors  51  of the equipment and the connectors  52  of the cell are connected so as to form cooling water circulation connections in the piece of equipment S 1 . 
     The schematic side and perspective views of the module  20  on  FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b  more particularly illustrate the electrical connection harnesses  13  between the module  20  and the electrical power centre  9 , as well as the inter-power centre connection harnesses  14 . Such electrical connections consist in conductors  1   a  and  1   b  (module-power centre connection) as well as conductors  1   c  (power centre-power centre connection) forming, as detailed hereinabove, the harnesses  13 ,  14  of conductor webs. 
     The electrical power centre-power centre conductors cross the module  20  between two intermediary walls  28  of two adjacent cells  26  adapted for containing equipment. 
     The conductors  1   a  and  1   b  for connection between the connectors  26   a  and  26   b  of the bottom  26   p  of the cell  26  in the module  20  and the power centre  9  are segregated between the control and power conductors  1   a  and  1   b , respectively. 
     The cells  26  of the module  20  can also be provided with thermally insulated divider walls  28   x , as illustrated in the perspective view of  FIG. 8 . In such example, both walls  28   x  of the cell  26  are equipped with a protecting layer  29  consisting in a thermally insulated material, for example, rock wool or cellulose wadding. 
     Such thermal insulation  29  is made for passively insulating the equipment surrounding the piece of equipment, for instance, a battery  4 , being inserted with the insulated cell. The batteries  4  being usually used are formatted through splitting into batteries  4  of about 25 kg, for maintenance and transportation reasons. 
     A particular advantage of the invention is to make the active cooling of the equipment easier with a fluid circulation.  FIG. 9  illustrates, in a perspective view, an example of a cooling system  60  using forced circulation of a heat bearing fluid in a power module  20 . 
     The fluid is fed by an external manifold (arrow T 1 ) mounted on a quick connection interface  50   a  of the frame  22 . Then, the fluid circulates in a go pipe  61  connected to the intermediary walls  28  by go side channels  61   a . Such go side channels  61   a  are coupled to the quick disconnect connectors  52  so as to be connected to the internal cooling circuits of the equipment S 1  (see  FIG. 6 ). 
     After a thermal exchange in the equipment, the heated fluid is fed in the return side channels  62   b  coupled to a return pipe  62 . Such return pipe  62  is connected to an external outlet manifold (arrow T 2 ) via a quick connection interface  50   b.    
     The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments being described and illustrated. So, the equipment can be equipped with positioning mini-feet under the lower side thereof so as to avoid the degradation of the electrical connectors when the equipment is put on the ground, outside the module. 
     Furthermore, the organization of the power centre-equipment relationship according to the invention enables to recover volume with the area located behind the electrical power centres. Such volume gain enables to reposition the power centres closer to the plane fuselage, releasing space within the central area of the cargo compartment. Such a release simplifies the routing for the electrical harnesses of the fuselage floor, in particular the current return harnesses. Moreover, a mechanical reinforcement on the module can be performed with adjustable supports with respect to reinforced areas of each formatted piece of equipment. Filtering residual vibrations can then be carried out if necessary. 
     The invention does not only apply to electrical supply of plane power centres, but also to other structures being at least partially supplied in electricity, for instance: boats, cars, locomotives, etc.