Electric Actuator Driver Motor Generator Transient Current

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electric actuator drivers for spacecraft face challenges with high deceleration ratios, leading to increased inertial load, high instantaneous current consumption during acceleration, and regenerative current issues, resulting in a large and heavy power supply unit with voltage fluctuations.

Innovation Solution

An electric actuator driver incorporating a motor generator that rotates to supply instantaneous current during acceleration and deceleration, reducing the system's size and weight by converting electric energy into mechanical energy and back, thus managing transient high currents efficiently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If the electric actuator has a high deceleration ratio, then the power transmission efficiency is improved, but the inertial load and consumption current during acceleration increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower transmission efficiencyVSAvoidconsumption current during acceleration
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The motor generator is operated in periodic cycles: during normal operation it functions as a motor driving the actuator, and during acceleration/deceleration phases it functions as a generator to recover energy. This periodic switching between motor and generator modes allows the system to maintain high deceleration ratio benefits while managing peak current demands through energy recovery during braking phases.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Speed

If the power supply unit is designed to respond to transient high instantaneous current, then the acceleration performance is improved, but the size and weight of the power supply unit increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveacceleration response speedVSAvoidweight of power supply unit
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The motor generator serves dual functions: it acts as a motor during normal operation and as a generator during acceleration and deceleration to supply instantaneous current and recover energy. This self-service capability eliminates the need for a separate large-capacity power supply unit, as the motor generator itself provides the necessary current bursts during high-demand phases.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If a large power supply unit is used to handle regenerative current, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity and size increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply reliabilityVSAvoidcomplexity of power supply system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The motor generator is merged with the drive system, combining motor and generator functions in a single integrated component. This eliminates the need for separate power supply units and complex regenerative braking systems, as the same motor generator handles both propulsion and energy recovery, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

The solution effectively responds to transient high instantaneous currents, reduces the driver's size and weight, and enhances power supply resilience by minimizing the need for large capacitors or batteries, resulting in a more compact and environmentally resistant system.

Implementation Method 1

a motor generator (50) to drive the electric actuator (10); wherein the electric actuator driver (A1) further comprises: a motor generator driving means (C8) to rotate the motor generator (50) at a rotation speed with which the motor generator (50) supplies an instantaneous current which is consumption current of a power supply and regenerative current during acceleration / deceleration

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2717439B1Electric actuator drive device
Publication Date: 2018.11.28 SINFONIA TECHNOLOGY CO LTD
  • EP2717439B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2717439B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2717439B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention aims to respond a transient high instantaneous current that flows during acceleration of an electric actuator as well as to reduce the size and weight. The present invention is an electric actuator driver, including: an electric actuator (10); a motor generator (50) to drive the electric actuator (10); and a motor generator driving means (C8) to rotate the motor generator (50) at a rotation speed with which the motor generator (50) supplies a high instantaneous current that flows during acceleration / deceleration of the electric actuator (10).