Electric Accumulator Unit for Vehicle Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
In power generation systems for vehicles like military aircraft, the need to compensate for temporary load spikes requires generators rated higher than usual, leading to increased size and weight, which is inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A power generation system incorporating an electrical accumulator unit with a controller that can store and provide power, operating in modes determined by detected power characteristics to manage load spikes, including a generator, a power bus, and an electrical accumulator unit with independent control, allowing for efficient power management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a generator is rated at least as high as the highest anticipated power spike to compensate for temporary load spikes, then adequate power can be provided to on-board electrical systems at all times, but the physical size and weight of the generator increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical accumulator unit stores electrical energy in advance during periods of low power demand. When a load spike occurs, the pre-stored energy is rapidly discharged to supplement generator output, enabling the generator to be rated for average rather than peak power requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical accumulator unit acts as an intermediary energy storage device between the generator and the electrical load. It absorbs excess power when available and supplies power during deficits, decoupling the generator sizing from peak load requirements.
2Reliability
If a generator is rated at least as high as the highest anticipated power spike, then adequate power can be provided during elevated load spikes, but the physical size of the generator increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical accumulator unit pre-charges during low-demand periods, creating a reserve of electrical energy that can be immediately deployed during load spikes, allowing the generator to be sized for average rather than peak demand.
Solution Approach 2:
The accumulator unit serves as an intermediary energy buffer between the generator and electrical systems, absorbing power when surplus is available and releasing it during deficits, thereby decoupling generator physical size from peak power requirements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables effective power management during load spikes without the need for oversized generators, reducing physical size and weight while ensuring consistent power supply.
Implementation Method 1
an electrical accumulator unit connected to the power bus such that the electrical accumulator unit is capable of storing power from the power bus and providing power to the power bus
Data Source
AI summary
A power system has a generator, a variable load, and an electrical accumulator unit. The electrical accumulator unit stores power when the generator generates excess power, and supplements power from the generator when the generator generates insufficient power.