A ground-following wireless charging system for electric propulsion aircraft

Abstract

The present invention relates to a ground-following wireless charging system for an electric-propulsion aircraft, comprising a ground subsystem, wherein the ground subsystem comprises a plurality of ground-following charging devices, wherein the ground-following charging devices comprise: a main control module, which is used for the running control of the device, for the state management of charging and power supply, for the state analysis of aircraft following, and for the control of sending and receiving information, and the modules connected to the main control module comprise: a first wireless communication module, an aircraft following module, a charging management module, and a mobile control module. According to the present invention, when the electric-propulsion aircraft has not taken off the ground, the ground-following charging device automatically follows the electric-propulsion aircraft, charges and supplies power to the electric-propulsion aircraft in time, thereby avoiding or reducing the consumption of electric energy in the onboard energy storage device by the electric-propulsion aircraft during the ground stage, and the onboard energy storage device can be put into operation after the electric-propulsion aircraft takes off the ground, thereby effectively extending the range and flight time of the electric-propulsion aircraft.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of electric propulsion aviation technology, in particular to a ground-following wireless charging system for an electric propulsion aircraft. Background Art

[0002] The existing electric propulsion aircraft mostly use solar cells or fuel cells for onboard energy storage, or use both solar cells and fuel cells. Electric propulsion is an important development and research direction in the current aviation industry. The existing energy supply solutions mostly use the following:

[0003] Option 1: Figure 1 As shown, the onboard system of the electric propulsion aircraft includes an onboard energy storage device for supplying power to the electric propulsion aircraft. The onboard energy storage device is a solar cell, a fuel cell, a lithium battery, etc. The onboard energy storage device supplies power to the onboard electric propulsion device through an electric energy transmission channel;

[0004] Option 2: Figure 2 As shown, the onboard system of the electric propulsion aircraft includes an onboard energy storage device and an onboard primary energy device. The energy supply of the electric propulsion aircraft relies on the onboard primary energy device, and the onboard primary energy device is an aircraft engine, etc. The onboard primary energy device charges the onboard energy storage device through one electric energy transmission channel, and at the same time, supplies power to the onboard electric propulsion device through another electric energy transmission channel. When the onboard primary energy device cannot provide sufficient energy, the onboard energy storage device can provide emergency power supply to the onboard electric propulsion device through the third electric energy transmission channel.

[0005] The load of the onboard energy storage device in an electric-propulsion aircraft is fixed, and the weight of the onboard energy storage device does not change due to various operating conditions. Therefore, once the energy in the onboard energy storage device begins to be consumed, the range and flight time of the electric-propulsion aircraft will gradually decrease.

[0006] When an electric propulsion aircraft is on the ground, it needs to consume the energy in the onboard energy storage device, for example,

[0007] During the taxiing phase, for example, before takeoff, the aircraft arrives at the end of the runway via the taxiway to prepare for takeoff, or after landing, the aircraft arrives at the apron via the taxiway. Electric propulsion aircraft consume energy during the movement process.

[0008] During the takeoff phase, electric propulsion aircraft accelerates from the end of the runway to the ground, and consumes energy during the acceleration process.

[0009] Both of the above-mentioned ground phases require energy consumption, which affects the range and flight time of electric propulsion aircraft.

[0010] The information disclosed in this background technology section is only intended to deepen the understanding of the overall background technology of the present invention, and should not be regarded as acknowledging or suggesting in any form that the information constitutes the prior art already known to those skilled in the art. Summary of the invention

[0011] In view of the defects existing in the prior art, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a ground-following wireless charging system for electric-propelled aircraft. When the electric-propelled aircraft has not taken off the ground, a ground-following charging device automatically follows the electric-propelled aircraft to charge and supply power to the electric-propelled aircraft in time, thereby avoiding or reducing the consumption of electric energy in an onboard energy storage device by the electric-propelled aircraft during the ground stage. The onboard energy storage device can be put into operation after the electric-propelled aircraft takes off the ground, effectively extending the range and flight time of the electric-propelled aircraft.

[0012] In order to achieve the above purpose, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is:

[0013] A ground-following wireless charging system for an electric-propelled aircraft, characterized in that it comprises: a ground subsystem, wherein the ground subsystem comprises a plurality of ground-following charging devices for charging and supplying power to the electric-propelled aircraft in a ground stage;

[0014] The ground-following charging device comprises:

[0015] The main control module is used for the running control of the ground-following charging device, the status management of the charging power supply, the status analysis of the aircraft following, and the control of the sending and receiving of information.

[0016] The first wireless communication module is connected to the main control module, and is used to receive control instructions and forward them to the main control module for analysis, and to obtain the operating status of the ground-following charging device from the main control module and send it to the outside.

[0017] The aircraft following module is connected to the main control module and is used to lock an electric propulsion aircraft in the ground phase, collect the relative position of the ground following charging device and the electric propulsion aircraft, generate relative position information and forward it to the main control module, plan the following path, generate following path information and forward it to the main control module,

[0018] The charging management module includes at least one charging power supply antenna, which is used to collect energy storage information of an onboard energy storage device of the electric propulsion aircraft, to set the charging power supply working state according to the relative position information, and to set the rotation direction of the charging power supply antenna according to the following path information.

[0019] The mobile control module is used to adjust the running state of the ground following charging device according to the following path information.

[0020] On the basis of the above technical solution, the ground following charging device is located behind, to the side or below the electric propulsion aircraft, so as to follow the electric propulsion aircraft and charge and supply power to the electric propulsion aircraft.

[0021] On the basis of the above technical solution, when the electric propulsion aircraft is stationary, a ground-following charging device charges and supplies power to at least one electric propulsion aircraft in the effective wireless charging area.

[0022] When the electric-propulsion aircraft is moving, a ground-based charging device only charges and supplies power to the electric-propulsion aircraft.

[0023] On the basis of the above technical solution, the ground-following charging device has a built-in and / or external energy storage module for storing electrical energy;

[0024] The energy storage module is connected to the charging interface, and the energy storage module is charged when the charging interface is connected to the charging cable.

[0025] On the basis of the above technical solution, the ground subsystem further includes: a charging base station, which is provided with at least one charging cable for automatically charging the ground follow-up charging device.

[0026] On the basis of the above technical solution, an airborne subsystem provided on the electric propulsion aircraft is also included, and the airborne subsystem includes:

[0027] An onboard energy storage device is used to store electrical energy and to provide electrical energy to onboard power-consuming loads.

[0028] The energy transceiver module is used to receive the wireless charging power supply signal sent by the ground-following charging device and forward the operating status of the onboard energy storage device to the ground-following charging device.

[0029] The energy conversion module is used to receive the wireless charging power supply signal forwarded by the energy transceiver module, convert the wireless charging power supply signal into electrical energy and charge the onboard energy storage device.

[0030] The second wireless communication module is used to forward the operating status of the electric propulsion aircraft to the ground-based charging device.

[0031] On the basis of the above technical solution, the airborne subsystem further includes: a backup energy transceiver module, connected to the energy conversion module, for increasing the wireless charging power supply signal reception strength per unit time, or for simultaneously receiving the wireless charging power supply signal of another ground-following charging device when the energy transceiver module receives the wireless charging power supply signal of a ground-following charging device.

[0032] The wireless charging power supply signal of one ground-following charging device and the wireless charging power supply signal of another ground-following charging device are in the same or different frequency bands.

[0033] On the basis of the above technical solution, the airborne subsystem further includes:

[0034] The safety range setting module is used to set the electric propulsion aircraft model and the prohibited entry area around the fuselage.

[0035] The safety range setting module is connected to the wireless communication module.

[0036] The wireless communication module is used to forward the electric propulsion aircraft model and the prohibited entry area around the fuselage to the ground follow-up charging device.

[0037] On the basis of the above technical solution, an airport control subsystem is also included, which is located at the airport. The airport control subsystem includes:

[0038] The restricted area setting module is used to set the restricted areas within the airport.

[0039] The prohibited area setting module is connected to the wireless communication module.

[0040] The wireless communication module is used to forward the prohibited entry areas within the airport to the ground follow-up charging device.

[0041] On the basis of the above technical solution, the airport control subsystem also includes: a visualization module for displaying the real-time position and real-time working status of each ground-following charging device.

[0042] The ground-following wireless charging system for an electric propulsion aircraft described in the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0043] When the electric-propulsion aircraft has not yet taken off the ground, the ground-following charging device automatically follows the electric-propulsion aircraft to charge and supply power to the electric-propulsion aircraft in time, thereby avoiding or reducing the consumption of electric energy in the onboard energy storage device by the electric-propulsion aircraft during the ground stage. The onboard energy storage device can be put into operation after the electric-propulsion aircraft takes off the ground, effectively extending the range and flight time of the electric-propulsion aircraft. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] The present invention has the following accompanying drawings:

[0045] The accompanying drawings are used to better understand the present invention and do not constitute an improper limitation of the present invention.

[0046] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of existing energy supply schemes for electric propulsion aircraft Figure 1 .

[0047] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of existing energy supply schemes for electric propulsion aircraft Figure 2 .

[0048] Figure 3 System architecture diagram of Embodiment 1 of a ground-following wireless charging system for an electric-propulsion aircraft described in the present invention.

[0049] Figure 4 System architecture diagram of Embodiment 2 of a ground-following wireless charging system for an electric propulsion aircraft described in the present invention.

[0050] Figure 5 System architecture diagram of Embodiment 3 of a ground-following wireless charging system for an electric-propulsion aircraft described in the present invention.

[0051] Figure 6 System architecture diagram of Embodiment 4 of a ground-following wireless charging system for an electric propulsion aircraft described in the present invention.

[0052] Figure 7 System architecture diagram of Embodiment 5 of a ground-following wireless charging system for an electric propulsion aircraft described in the present invention.

[0053] Figure 8 System architecture diagram of embodiment 6 of a ground-following wireless charging system for an electric propulsion aircraft described in the present invention.

[0054] Fig. 9 System architecture diagram of Embodiment 7 of a ground-following wireless charging system for an electric propulsion aircraft described in the present invention.

[0055] Fig.10 System architecture diagram of Embodiment 8 of a ground-following wireless charging system for an electric propulsion aircraft described in the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0056] The present invention is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The detailed description is an explanation made in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, including various details of the embodiments of the present invention to facilitate understanding, which should be considered as merely exemplary. Therefore, it should be recognized by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Similarly, for the sake of clarity and conciseness, the description of well-known functions and structures is omitted in the following description.

[0057] like Figure 3As shown, the present invention provides a ground-following wireless charging system for an electric-propelled aircraft, comprising: a ground subsystem, wherein the ground subsystem comprises a plurality of ground-following charging devices, which are used to charge and supply power to the electric-propelled aircraft in the ground stage. As mentioned above, the ground stage refers to the period when the electric-propelled aircraft has not left the ground, including: a stationary stage, a taxiing stage, and a take-off stage;

[0058] The ground-following charging device comprises:

[0059] The main control module is used for the running control of the ground-following charging device, the status management of the charging power supply, the status analysis of the aircraft following, and the control of the sending and receiving of information.

[0060] The first wireless communication module is connected to the main control module, and is used to receive control instructions and forward them to the main control module for analysis, and is used to obtain the operating status of the ground-following charging device from the main control module and send it to the outside. The control instructions are sent from the outside to the ground-following charging device to achieve management and control of the ground-following charging device. The purpose of sending the operating status of the ground-following charging device to the outside is to enable the outside to grasp the location, status and other information of the ground-following charging device in real time or in a timely manner, so as to meet the needs of management and control of the ground-following charging device.

[0061] The aircraft following module is connected to the main control module and is used to lock an electric propulsion aircraft in the ground stage, collect the relative position of the ground following charging device and the electric propulsion aircraft, generate relative position information and forward it to the main control module, plan the following path, generate following path information and forward it to the main control module, and achieve the matching and position following of the ground following charging device and the electric propulsion aircraft through the aircraft following module to ensure that both are always within the effective wireless charging area to ensure the efficiency and reliability of charging and power supply. At the same time, the reasonably planned following path information can effectively ensure the safety of the electric propulsion aircraft.

[0062] like Figure 6 As shown, the ground subsystem is used to provide wireless charging and power supply for the electric propulsion aircraft in the ground phase within a certain distance range, and the certain distance range refers to the effective wireless charging area.

[0063] The charging management module (also called the energy management module) includes at least one charging and power supply antenna (not shown in the figure), which is used to collect energy storage information of the onboard energy storage device of the electric propulsion aircraft, to set the charging and power supply working state according to the relative position information, and to set the rotation direction of the charging and power supply antenna according to the following path information. Since the relative position of the ground following charging device and the electric propulsion aircraft is variable, and the stored power of the onboard energy storage device of the electric propulsion aircraft is also variable, the charging management module is used to manage and control the direction, angle, charging power, current, etc. of the charging and power supply antenna to ensure the efficiency of charging and power supply.

[0064] The mobile control module is used to adjust the running state of the ground following charging device according to the following path information, and the running state includes the running direction and the running speed.

[0065] As one of the optional implementation schemes, the mobile control module can be connected to an external laser radar for detecting surrounding terrain and obstacles. The laser radar is an optional configuration used to improve safety performance and achieve more accurate walking state control.

[0066] On the basis of the above technical solution, the ground following charging device is located behind, to the side or below the electric propulsion aircraft, so as to follow the electric propulsion aircraft and charge and supply power to the electric propulsion aircraft.

[0067] On the basis of the above technical solution, when the electric propulsion aircraft is stationary, a ground-following charging device charges and supplies power to at least one electric propulsion aircraft in the effective wireless charging area.

[0068] When the electric-propulsion aircraft is moving, a ground-based charging device only charges and supplies power to the electric-propulsion aircraft.

[0069] When the electric-propulsion aircraft is stationary, the parking distance of multiple electric-propulsion aircraft may be relatively close. At this time, there may be multiple electric-propulsion aircraft in the effective wireless charging area of ​​a ground-based following charging device. Therefore, based on a comprehensive judgment of various situations, a ground-based following charging device charges and supplies power to one or more electric-propulsion aircraft in the effective wireless charging area.

[0070] When an electric-propulsion aircraft moves, its speed may be fast or slow. At this time, there may be no other electric-propulsion aircraft within the effective wireless charging area of ​​a ground-based charging device. Therefore, a ground-based charging device only charges and supplies power to one electric-propulsion aircraft. However, when an electric-propulsion aircraft moves, as its position changes, multiple ground-based charging devices can be arranged to charge and supply power to the same electric-propulsion aircraft in different areas to improve work efficiency.

[0071] Based on the above technical solution, Figure 4As shown, the ground-following charging device has a built-in and / or external energy storage module for storing electrical energy;

[0072] The energy storage module is connected to the charging interface, and the energy storage module is charged when the charging interface is connected to the charging cable.

[0073] On the one hand, the energy storage module supplies power to modules inside ground-based follow-up charging devices such as the main control module. On the other hand, it provides power for wireless charging of electric propulsion aircraft in the ground phase through the charging management module.

[0074] Based on the above technical solution, Figure 5 As shown, the ground subsystem also includes: a charging base station (also called an energy charging base station), and the charging base station is provided with at least one charging cable for automatically charging the ground follow-up charging device.

[0075] One end of the charging cable is connected to the charging base station, and the other end is connected to the charging interface, through which the built-in and / or external energy storage module is charged.

[0076] As one of the optional implementation schemes, the charging cable is magnetically connected to the charging port.

[0077] Based on the above technical solution, Figure 7 As shown, it also includes an airborne subsystem provided on the electric propulsion aircraft, and the airborne subsystem includes:

[0078] An onboard energy storage device is used to store electrical energy and to provide electrical energy to onboard power-consuming loads.

[0079] The energy transceiver module is used to receive the wireless charging power supply signal sent by the ground-following charging device, and is used to forward the operating status of the airborne energy storage device to the ground-following charging device. The operating status of the airborne energy storage device at least includes the energy storage information of the airborne energy storage device required by the aforementioned charging management module.

[0080] The energy conversion module is used to receive the wireless charging power supply signal forwarded by the energy transceiver module, convert the wireless charging power supply signal into electrical energy and charge the onboard energy storage device.

[0081] The second wireless communication module is used to forward the operating status of the electric propulsion aircraft to the ground-following charging device so that the aircraft following module can collect the relative position of the ground-following charging device and the electric propulsion aircraft and process related data.

[0082] On the basis of the above technical solution, the operating status of the electric-propulsion aircraft includes: current position information of the electric-propulsion aircraft and current speed information of the electric-propulsion aircraft.

[0083] After receiving the operating status of the electric propulsion aircraft, the ground-following charging device analyzes and calculates the relative position of the ground-following charging device and the electric propulsion aircraft, and plans the following path. The specific algorithm can be implemented using existing technology and will not be described in detail.

[0084] Based on the above technical solution, Figure 8 As shown, the airborne subsystem also includes: a backup energy transceiver module, connected to the energy conversion module, for increasing the wireless charging power supply signal reception strength per unit time, or for simultaneously receiving the wireless charging power supply signal of another ground-following charging device when the energy transceiver module receives the wireless charging power supply signal of one ground-following charging device,

[0085] The wireless charging power supply signal of one ground-following charging device and the wireless charging power supply signal of another ground-following charging device are in the same or different frequency bands.

[0086] Based on the above technical solution, Fig. 9 As shown, the airborne subsystem also includes:

[0087] The safety range setting module is used to set the electric propulsion aircraft model and the prohibited entry area around the fuselage.

[0088] The safety range setting module is connected to the wireless communication module.

[0089] The wireless communication module is used to forward the electric propulsion aircraft model and the prohibited entry area around the fuselage to the ground follow-up charging device.

[0090] For the sake of improving safety, different electric propulsion aircraft models should not allow the ground-based charging device to drive in certain areas around the fuselage. Therefore, the prohibited entry area is set through the safety range setting module. The prohibited entry area is matched with the aircraft model and forwarded to the ground-based charging device so as to reasonably plan the following path.

[0091] After the first wireless communication module of the ground-based charging device receives the model of the electric propulsion aircraft and the prohibited entry area around the fuselage,

[0092] When planning the following path, the aircraft following module excludes dangerous following paths that enter the prohibited area around the fuselage.

[0093] Based on the above technical solution, Fig.10 As shown, it also includes an airport control subsystem located at the airport, and the airport control subsystem includes:

[0094] The restricted area setting module is used to set the restricted areas within the airport.

[0095] The prohibited area setting module is connected to the wireless communication module.

[0096] The wireless communication module is used to forward the prohibited entry areas within the airport to the ground-based charging device.

[0097] After the first wireless communication module of the ground-following charging device receives the prohibited entry area within the airport,

[0098] When planning the following path, the aircraft following module excludes dangerous following paths that enter the prohibited entry area within the airport.

[0099] On the basis of the above technical solution, the airport control subsystem also includes: a visualization module for displaying the real-time position and real-time working status of each ground-following charging device.

[0100] The contents not described in detail in this specification belong to the prior art known to professional and technical personnel in this field.

[0101] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and the protection scope of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. Any equivalent modifications or changes made by those skilled in the art based on the contents disclosed by the present invention should be included in the protection scope recorded in the claims.

Claims

1. A ground-following wireless charging system for an electric propulsion aircraft, characterized in that: include: A ground subsystem, wherein the ground subsystem includes a plurality of ground-following charging devices for charging and supplying power to the electric-propulsion aircraft in the ground phase, wherein the ground phase refers to the period when the electric-propulsion aircraft has not taken off the ground, including: a stationary phase, a taxiing phase, and a take-off phase; The taxiing phase of an electric-propulsion aircraft refers to: before takeoff, it arrives at the end of the runway via the taxiway to prepare for takeoff, or after landing, it arrives at the apron via the taxiway. The electric-propulsion aircraft consumes energy during the movement process; The take-off phase of an electric-propulsion aircraft refers to the acceleration from the end of the runway to the flight off the ground. The electric-propulsion aircraft consumes energy during the acceleration process. When the electric-propulsion aircraft is stationary, a ground-based charging device charges and supplies power to at least one electric-propulsion aircraft within the effective wireless charging area. When the electric-propelled aircraft is moving, a ground-based charging device only charges and supplies power to one electric-propelled aircraft; The ground-following charging device comprises: The main control module is used for the running control of the ground-following charging device, the status management of the charging power supply, the status analysis of the aircraft following, and the control of the sending and receiving of information. The first wireless communication module is connected to the main control module, and is used to receive control instructions and forward them to the main control module for analysis, and to obtain the operating status of the ground-following charging device from the main control module and send it to the outside. The aircraft following module is connected to the main control module and is used to lock an electric propulsion aircraft in the ground phase, collect the relative position of the ground following charging device and the electric propulsion aircraft, generate relative position information and forward it to the main control module, plan the following path, generate following path information and forward it to the main control module, The charging management module includes at least one charging power supply antenna, which is used to collect energy storage information of an onboard energy storage device of the electric propulsion aircraft, to set the charging power supply working state according to the relative position information, and to set the rotation direction of the charging power supply antenna according to the following path information. A mobile control module, used for adjusting the running state of the ground following charging device according to the following path information; The ground-following charging device has a built-in and / or external energy storage module for storing electrical energy; The energy storage module is connected to a charging interface, and the energy storage module is charged when the charging interface is connected to a charging cable; Also included is an airborne subsystem provided on the electric propulsion aircraft, the airborne subsystem comprising: An onboard energy storage device is used to store electrical energy and to provide electrical energy to onboard power-consuming loads. The energy transceiver module is used to receive the wireless charging power supply signal sent by the ground-following charging device and forward the operating status of the onboard energy storage device to the ground-following charging device. The energy conversion module is used to receive the wireless charging power supply signal forwarded by the energy transceiver module, convert the wireless charging power supply signal into electrical energy and charge the onboard energy storage device. The second wireless communication module is used to forward the operating status of the electric propulsion aircraft to the ground-based charging device.

2. A ground-following wireless charging system for an electric propulsion aircraft as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The ground-following charging device is located behind, to the side of, or below the electric-propelled aircraft, so as to follow the electric-propelled aircraft and charge and supply power to the electric-propelled aircraft.

3. The ground-following wireless charging system for an electric-propulsion aircraft according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ground subsystem further includes: a charging base station, wherein the charging base station is provided with at least one charging cable for automatically charging the ground-following charging device.

4. The ground-following wireless charging system for an electric propulsion aircraft according to claim 1, characterized in that: The airborne subsystem further includes: a backup energy transceiver module connected to the energy conversion module, used to increase the wireless charging power supply signal reception strength per unit time, or used to simultaneously receive the wireless charging power supply signal of another ground-following charging device when the energy transceiver module receives the wireless charging power supply signal of one ground-following charging device. The wireless charging power supply signal of one ground-following charging device and the wireless charging power supply signal of another ground-following charging device are in the same or different frequency bands.

5. The ground-following wireless charging system for an electric propulsion aircraft according to claim 1, characterized in that: The onboard subsystem also includes: The safety range setting module is used to set the electric propulsion aircraft model and the prohibited entry area around the fuselage. The safety range setting module is connected to the wireless communication module. The wireless communication module is used to forward the electric propulsion aircraft model and the prohibited entry area around the fuselage to the ground follow-up charging device.

6. The ground-following wireless charging system for an electric propulsion aircraft according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes an airport control subsystem located at the airport, and the airport control subsystem includes: The restricted area setting module is used to set the restricted areas within the airport. The prohibited area setting module is connected to the wireless communication module. The wireless communication module is used to forward the prohibited entry areas within the airport to the ground follow-up charging device.

7. A ground-following wireless charging system for an electric propulsion aircraft as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that: The airport control subsystem also includes: a visualization module for displaying the real-time position and real-time working status of each ground-following charging device.

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