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This paper describes a concept related to fault-tolerant design for a redundant motor control system. The design comprises components driven by an electric motor, a motor controller, and a power source, referred to as the More Electric Aero Engine (or MEE). The MEE dramatically improves the engine efficiency and reduces fuel burn and CO2 emissions. However, the MEE system must demonstrate that it can ensure engine safety and reliability before it can take the place of conventional systems. The proposed unique redundant system presented in this paper incorporates Active-Active control and multi-winding motors. Engine fuel flow is controlled by the motor speed control of the MEE electric fuel pump, which uses this redundant system. This concept provides a solution for helping to ensure engine safety and reliability, since it enables a complete one-fail operational engine fuel system for the MEE. Another key technology for the MEE system involves a power generating solution.

This paper describes study for fuel pump system configuration which is suitable for the MEE (More Electric Engine) system. The MEE is a new engine system concept which intends engine efficiency improvement, which results in a reduction of engine fuel burn and CO₂ emissions from aircraft. Final configuration of the MEE will contain various engine systems, such as fuel system, oil system and electric generating system, but we focus on high efficiency fuel systems as a first step of the MEE development. The MEE is an advanced engine control technology utilizing recent innovations in electric motors and power electronics and replacing conventional engine accessories, such as AGB-driven pumps and hydraulic actuators with electric motor-driven pumps and EMAs (Electro-Mechanical Actuators), which are powered by generators. Because fuel pump system configuration is a key for the MEE fuel system, we conducted comparison of several pump systems and adopted a fixed displacement gear pump system.

The authors are currently developing the MEE (More Electric Engine) electric motor-driven fuel pump system for aircraft engines. The electric fuel system will contribute to the reduction of engine power extraction to drive the fuel pump; thus, an improvement in engine efficiency will be expected. In addition, the engine system reliability will be improved by introducing advanced electric architecture, and the reduction of hydraulic components, fuel tubes and fittings is effective to enhance the maintainability of the engine. Although it is considered that the MEE electric fuel system will realize several benefits, there are technical challenges to introduce such new electric system into aircraft. One of the key technical challenges is to construct a redundant and simplified electric fuel system, because continuous operation of the fuel pump system is crucial for aircraft safety.