Method for controlling electrical distribution system
By configuring data lists and transmission frequencies for protection and communication equipment in the aircraft's power distribution system, the problem of real-time sensor data acquisition difficulties was solved, and the effect of regularly recovering sensor data was achieved even with an unsaturated communication network and onboard computer.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-09-17
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-14
AI Technical Summary
In existing aircraft power distribution systems, it is difficult to acquire sensor data in real time, and the problems of communication network bandwidth and onboard computer saturation have not been effectively solved.
By configuring data lists and transmission frequencies for each protection and communication device, the power distribution system is managed using the electronic circuitry of concentrators and protection devices, transmitting only the necessary data at predetermined frequencies.
It enables the regular recovery of sensor data under conditions of unsaturated communication networks and airborne computers, improving the real-time performance and reliability of data acquisition.
Smart Images
Figure CN121866698A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of control power distribution systems, and more particularly to the field of control of aircraft power distribution systems. Background Technology
[0002] As is known, aircraft include electrical systems.
[0003] Typically, power distribution networks include a large number of sensors capable of transmitting signals to data concentrators.
[0004] Currently, very little real-time data is available regarding the status of the power distribution system. This is because only a small amount of information related to self-diagnosis (known as built-in testing) or consumption calculations is transmitted for purposes such as experience feedback, fault diagnosis assistance, or maintenance. The low level of information transmitted to the concentrator is due to bandwidth limitations of the power distribution network and the limited computing power of the sensors. This is because if the sensors were to transmit all data simultaneously, the communication network of the power distribution system would lack sufficient bandwidth and thus saturate. Furthermore, the amount of data transmitted would be too large for the aircraft's standard computer, causing it to saturate. This is because, typically, an aircraft's power distribution network includes at least two hundred electrical load sensors. If each sensor transmits current and voltage measurements at a standard frequency of 10 kHz and a rate of 64 Mb / s, the amount and flow of data would far exceed what a standard power distribution network can support. Additionally, the computing power required to obtain all useful information (impedance, power factor, and possibly many other pieces of information) from the collected raw data would be excessive and beyond the capabilities of the aircraft's onboard sensor computers.
[0005] Therefore, in this context, it is necessary to provide a method for controlling a power distribution system that enables the recovery of as much relevant data from sensors in the power distribution network as possible, based on the associated electrical load, without saturating the bandwidth of the power distribution system's communication network or the onboard computer. Summary of the Invention
[0006] Therefore, according to a first aspect, a method for controlling a power distribution system is proposed, the power distribution system including a data concentrator connected to a plurality of sensors, each sensor being associated with protection and communication equipment connected between the sensor and the concentrator. The concentrator and each protection and communication device each include an electronic circuit system for implementing the management method. The control method includes at least the following steps: - Configure a data list and transmission frequency for each protection and communication device based on the sensors and loads associated with each protection and communication device; - Acquire signals from sensors and transmit those signals to the corresponding protection and communication devices; - Transmit data items or predefined calculations corresponding to the acquired signals, the transmission being made by the corresponding protection and communication devices to the concentrator, and the transmission being made at the configured transmission frequency.
[0007] Therefore, the method cleverly proposes configuring each protection and transmission device to transmit only the necessary data at a predetermined frequency. This arrangement saves bandwidth in the power distribution system and prevents data concentrator saturation, while enabling the transmission of relevant data as regularly as possible based on the associated electrical loads corresponding to the signals acquired by the sensors. In other words, the method allows for the near real-time recovery of large amounts of data from sensors in the power distribution network without saturating the power distribution system's bandwidth or the data concentrator.
[0008] According to a particular arrangement, the steps of configuring the data list and transmission frequency associated with each protection and communication device include: transmitting specific configuration parameters for each protection and communication device to each protection and communication device by the concentrator.
[0009] According to a particular arrangement, the step of configuring the data list and transmission frequency associated with each protection and communication device includes: recording the configuration parameters on the non-volatile memory medium of each protection and communication device.
[0010] According to a particular arrangement, the steps of configuring the data list and transmission frequency associated with each protection and communication device include: deleting previously recorded configuration parameters from previous steps.
[0011] According to a particular arrangement, the step of transmitting data items includes: calculating the data items based on the acquired signals and specific calculation instructions for each protection and communication device.
[0012] According to a specific arrangement, the calculation instructions are configuration parameters.
[0013] Depending on a particular arrangement, the acquired signal corresponds to a measurement result of a quantity selected from voltage, current, or temperature.
[0014] According to another aspect, a power distribution system is proposed, the power distribution system including a data concentrator connected to a plurality of sensors, each sensor being associated with protection and communication equipment connected between the sensor and the concentrator, the concentrator and each protection and communication equipment each including an electronic circuit system for implementing the control method, the control method including at least the following steps: - Configure the data list and transmission frequency associated with each protection and communication device based on the sensors and loads associated with each protection and communication device; - Acquire signals from sensors and transmit those signals to the corresponding protection and communication devices; - Transmit data items or predefined calculations corresponding to the acquired signals, the transmission being made by the corresponding protection and communication devices to the concentrator, and the transmission being made at the configured transmission frequency.
[0015] According to a particular arrangement, each protection and communication device includes a non-volatile memory medium.
[0016] According to another aspect, an aircraft is proposed that includes a power distribution system according to the invention.
[0017] According to another aspect, a computer program product comprising program code instructions is proposed, which, when executed by at least one processor, performs the method according to the invention.
[0018] According to another aspect, a non-transitory storage medium is proposed, on which a computer program is stored, the computer program including program code instructions, which, when read from the non-transitory storage medium and executed by a processor, perform the method according to the invention. Attached Figure Description
[0019] The above-described features and other features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of at least one exemplary embodiment, which is made in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: [ Figure 1 The architecture of a power distribution system according to the present invention is illustrated schematically. [ Figure 2 The architecture of a data concentrator is illustrated schematically. [ Figure 3 The architecture of protection and communication equipment is illustrated schematically. [ Figure 4 This schematically illustrates a method for controlling a power distribution system. Detailed Implementation
[0020] power distribution system
[0021] Reference Figure 1 Based on the first aspect, a power distribution system 1 is proposed.
[0022] System 1 includes a data concentrator 2 (i.e., an onboard computer). According to a particularly advantageous arrangement, the concentrator 2 is the standard computer of the aircraft's power distribution system 1.
[0023] Typically, the concentrator 2 is a computer system that includes an electronic circuit system configured to implement a method 100 for controlling the power distribution system 1 of the aircraft.
[0024] like Figure 2 As schematically shown, the computer system forming concentrator 2 may include, via communication bus 210, the following connected: processor 201; random access memory 202; memory 203, such as ROM (“Read-Only Memory”) or EEPROM (“Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM”); storage unit 204, such as hard disk drive (HDD) or storage media reader, such as SD (“Secure Digital”) card reader; and input-output interface manager 205.
[0025] Processor 201 is capable of executing instructions loaded into random access memory 202 from read-only memory 203, external memory, storage media (e.g., SD card), or a communication network. When concentrator 2 is powered on, processor 201 is capable of reading instructions from random access memory 202 and executing them. These instructions form a computer program that allows processor 201 to implement method 100 and the steps described herein.
[0026] All or part of method 100 and the steps described below can therefore be implemented in software form by executing a set of instructions by a programmable machine (e.g., a processor or microcontroller of the type DSP (“Digital Signal Processor”), or in hardware form by a machine or special-purpose component (e.g., an FPGA (“Field Programmable Gate Array”) or ASIC (“Application-Specific Integrated Circuit”) component). In general, concentrator 2 includes an electronic circuit system adapted and configured to implement, in software and / or hardware, the methods and steps described below with respect to concentrator 2.
[0027] Furthermore, the power distribution system 1 includes multiple sensors 6. Sensors 6 are known sensors and will not be described in further detail in this document. According to a particular arrangement, sensors 6 are adapted to acquire signals corresponding to current, intensity, and / or temperature values. It should be noted that, according to other embodiments, sensors 6 may be adapted to acquire other physical quantities.
[0028] Each sensor 6 is associated with a protection and communication device 4 connected between the sensor 6 and the concentrator 2. Each protection and communication device 4 enables the protection of the electrical wiring of the power distribution system 1.
[0029] according to Figure 3 In the schematic embodiment shown, each protection and communication device 4 includes an electronic circuit system configured to implement a method 100 for controlling the power distribution system 1 of the aircraft.
[0030] like Figure 4As schematically shown, each protection and communication device 4 may include, via a communication bus 410, the following connected: a processor 401; a random access memory 402; a memory 403, such as a ROM (“Read-Only Memory”) or EEPROM (“Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM”); a storage unit 404, such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a storage medium reader, such as an SD (“Secure Digital”) card reader; and an input-output interface manager 405.
[0031] Processor 401 is capable of executing instructions loaded into random access memory 402 from read-only memory 403 (non-volatile memory), external memory, storage media (e.g., SD card), or a communication network. When each protection and communication device 4 is powered on, processor 401 is capable of reading instructions from random access memory 402 and executing them. These instructions form a computer program that allows processor 401 to implement method 100 and the steps described herein.
[0032] All or part of method 100 and the steps described below can therefore be implemented in software form by executing a set of instructions by a programmable machine (e.g., a processor or microcontroller of the type DSP (“Digital Signal Processor”), or in hardware form by a machine or dedicated component (e.g., an FPGA (“Field Programmable Gate Array”) or ASIC (“Application-Specific Integrated Circuit”) component). In general, each protection and communication device 4 includes an electronic circuit system adapted and configured to implement, in software and / or hardware, the methods and steps described below with respect to each protection and communication device 4 discussed.
[0033] In addition, the power distribution system 1 includes multiple electrical lines whose structure is known and will not be described in detail in this document.
[0034] aircraft
[0035] According to another aspect, an aircraft including a power distribution system 1 is proposed.
[0036] Management methods
[0037] According to another aspect, a method 100 for controlling a power distribution system 1 is proposed, the method comprising at least the following steps: - Configure (step 101) the data list and transmission frequency associated with each protection and communication device 4 based on the sensor 6 and electrical load associated with each protection and communication device 4; - Acquire (step 102) the signal from sensor 6 and transmit it to the corresponding protection and communication device 4; - Transmission (step 103) corresponds to the data item of the acquired signal or a predefined calculation. The transmission is performed by the corresponding protection and communication device 4 to the concentrator 2, and the transmission is performed at the configured transmission frequency.
[0038] Therefore, method 100 cleverly proposes configuring each protection and transmission device 6 to transmit data at a predetermined frequency. This arrangement allows for saving bandwidth in the power distribution system 1 without saturating the data concentrator 2 or protection component 4, while enabling the transmission of data corresponding to the signals acquired by the sensors 6 and suitable for the computing power of the protection and communication component 4 and associated electrical loads as regularly as possible. In other words, method 100 enables the near real-time recovery of large amounts of data from sensors in the power distribution network, adapted to the supplied electrical loads, without saturating the bandwidth of the power distribution system or the data concentrator 2 or protection and communication component 4.
[0039] Typically, the acquired signal corresponds to a measurement result of a quantity selected from voltage, current, or temperature. It should be noted that, according to other embodiments, the acquired signal may correspond to other physical quantities.
[0040] It should be noted that, according to a particularly advantageous arrangement, step 101 of configuring the data list and transmission frequency associated with each protection and communication device 4 is performed based on the sensors 6 and electrical loads associated with the protection and communication device 4.
[0041] Particularly advantageously, step 101 of configuring the data list and transmission frequency for each protection and communication device 4 includes transmitting 1011 specific configuration parameters for each protection and communication device from the concentrator to each protection and communication device.
[0042] Even more advantageously, step 101 of configuring the transmission frequency of each protection and communication device includes recording configuration parameters 1012 on the non-volatile memory medium 404 of each protection and communication device 4.
[0043] Furthermore, according to a particular arrangement, step 101 of configuring the transmission frequency of each protection and communication device 4 includes a previous step 1010 of deleting previously recorded configuration parameters.
[0044] Therefore, in other words, step 101 of configuring the transmission frequency includes pre-configuration of each protection and communication device 1. This pre-configuration includes re-initializing (deleting and then recording) the parameters, which ensures that method 100 is executed with appropriate parameters. Typically, configuration step 101 can be performed at each startup of the aircraft equipped with the power distribution system 1.
[0045] According to a particular arrangement, step 103 of transmitting a data item includes calculating 1031 the data item based on the acquired signal and specific calculation instructions for each protection and communication device. In other words, according to this arrangement, each transmitted data item is calculated by the protection and communication device 4 that transmits it, which makes it possible to reduce the computational load on the concentrator 2. In other words, unlike known methods that result in all calculations being performed by the concentrator, this arrangement makes it possible to offload some of the calculations to the protection and communication device 4.
[0046] Depending on the even more specific arrangement, the calculation instruction is a configuration parameter. Therefore, according to this arrangement, the calculation instruction is configured for each protection and communication device during step 101.
[0047] Program products
[0048] According to another aspect, a computer program product including program code instructions is proposed, which, when executed by at least one processor 201 and / or 401, executes method 100.
[0049] storage media
[0050] According to another aspect, a non-transitory storage medium is proposed, on which a computer program is stored, the computer program including program code instructions for executing method 100.
Claims
1. A method (100) for controlling a power distribution system (1), the power distribution system including a data concentrator (2) connected to a plurality of sensors (6), each sensor (6) being associated with a protection and communication device (4) connected between the sensor (6) and the concentrator (2), the concentrator (2) and each protection and communication device (4) each including an electronic circuit system for implementing the management method (100), the control method (100) being characterized by including at least the following steps: - Configure (101) a data list and transmission frequency for each protection and communication device (4) based on the sensor (6) and electrical load associated with each protection and communication device (4); - Acquire (102) the signal from sensor (6) and transmit the signal to the corresponding protection and communication device (4); - The transmission (103) corresponds to the data item of the acquired signal or a predefined calculation, the transmission is performed by the corresponding protection and communication device (4) to the concentrator (2), and the transmission is performed at the configured transmission frequency.
2. The method (100) according to claim 1, wherein, The step (101) of configuring the data list and transmission frequency associated with each protection and communication device (4) includes transmitting (1011) specific configuration parameters for each protection and communication device (4) to each protection and communication device (4) by the concentrator.
3. The method (100) according to claim 2, wherein, The step (101) of configuring the data list and transmission frequency associated with each protection and communication device (4) includes recording (1012) the configuration parameters on the non-volatile memory medium (403) of each protection and communication device (4).
4. The method (100) according to claim 3, wherein, The step (101) of configuring the data list and transmission frequency associated with each protection and communication device (4) includes: deleting the previous step (1010) of previously recorded configuration parameters.
5. The method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The step (103) of transmitting data items includes: calculating (1031) the data items based on the acquired signals and specific calculation instructions for each protection and communication device (4).
6. The method (100) according to the combination of claims 2 and 5, wherein, The calculation instructions are configuration parameters.
7. The method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The acquired signals correspond to the measurement results of quantities selected from voltage, current, and temperature.
8. A power distribution system (1), characterized in that, The power distribution system includes a data concentrator (2) connected to a plurality of sensors (6), each sensor (6) being associated with a protection and communication device (4) connected between the sensor (6) and the concentrator (2), the concentrator (2) and each protection and communication device (4) each including an electronic circuit system for implementing the control method (100), the control method including at least the following steps: - Configure (step 101) the data list and transmission frequency associated with each protection and communication device (4) based on the sensor (6) and electrical load associated with each protection and communication device (4); - Acquire (102) the signal from sensor (6) and transmit the signal to the corresponding protection and communication device (4); - The transmission (103) corresponds to the data item of the acquired signal or a predefined calculation, the transmission is performed by the corresponding protection and communication device (4) to the concentrator (2), and the transmission is performed at the configured transmission frequency.
9. The system (1) according to claim 8, wherein, Each protection and communication device (4) includes a non-volatile memory medium (403).
10. An aircraft comprising a power distribution system (1) according to any one of claims 8 or 9.