Active Filtering Electrical Accumulator Unit for Aircraft Power Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power generation systems for military aircraft face challenges in managing temporary load spikes and minor fluctuations in electrical power, leading to the need for oversized generators and passive filters, which increase size and complexity.
Innovation Solution
An active filtering electrical accumulator unit is integrated into the power generation system, comprising a generator, power bus, electrical accumulator unit, and independent controller, which converts and stores power, and actively filters transients by inserting counter-balancing currents into the power bus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a generator is rated at least as high as the highest anticipated load spike, then adequate power can be provided during elevated load spikes, but the generator becomes heavy and oversized
Solution Approach 1:
An electrical accumulator unit is introduced as an intermediary component between the generator and the electrical load. The accumulator absorbs excess power during normal operation and releases it during load spikes, acting as a buffer that allows the generator to be sized for average load rather than peak load, thereby reducing generator weight while maintaining power supply adequacy
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical accumulator unit stores energy in advance during periods of normal power demand. This preliminary energy storage enables the system to respond immediately to load spikes without requiring the generator to be oversized, as the accumulator has already prepared the necessary energy reserve
2Stability of the object's composition
If passive filters are used to smooth power fluctuations, then power can be efficiently utilized by loads, but system complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical accumulator unit combines multiple functions into a single device: it provides voltage regulation, smooths power fluctuations, and delivers peak power during load spikes. By merging these functions into one active component rather than using separate passive filters, the system achieves power stability while reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional passive mechanical/electrical filter systems with an active electrical accumulator unit controlled by a controller. This substitution uses electronic control mechanisms rather than passive physical filtering, achieving the same power smoothing effect with reduced complexity and improved responsiveness
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 reduces the need for oversized generators and passive filters, efficiently managing load spikes and power fluctuations, thereby optimizing power distribution and reducing system size and complexity.
Implementation Method 1
An electrical accumulator unit is 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
Implementation Method 2
detecting a power characteristic of the DC power bus
Data Source
AI summary
A power generation system has a generator, a power bus and an electrical accumulator unit. The electrical accumulator unit includes an independent controller that actively filters transients from the power bus.