At Labinal Power Systems, there's more than a spark of excitement – about power electronics computers that boast 99% electrical energy efficiency.
Chief executive Alain Sauret says the Safran Group's electric systems business is making major steps forward to integrate all aspects of onboard electrics, but the ultimate goal of getting rid of hydraulics and compressed air systems to create an all-electric aircraft will be “an evolution, step by step”.
Right now, airframers are looking to improve their products every year, which opens many opportunities to introduce lighter weight, more efficient electric functions. But, says Sauret, even a clean sheet aircraft project begun now wouldn't yet go completely electric.
Aircraft like the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350 – both big users of Labinal equipment – are very much “more electric” compared to their predecessors. But Sauret warns that the big challenge is to manage the heat associated with massive amounts of electric power. Noting the 1.5MW of power onboard a 787, Sauret says: “It's huge – like a small village!”
To that end, Labinal – which historically was Safran's wiring business but now incorporates all of its electric systems operations, including Goodrich Electric Power Systems (bought in 2013) and Eaton's Aerospace Power Distribution Management Solutions and Integrated Cockpit Solutions units (2014) – is working hard to exploit its full range of capabilities to maximise efficiency by fully integrating electric systems.
Components like direct contacts will, he says, become smaller and lighter, which will open up more-electric solutions to smaller aircraft like business jets. But smaller and lighter won't mean miniaturisation like we expect in consumer electronics:
“I don't think it could be like an iPhone – the power is not the same.”
Source: Flight Daily News
