Aerospace Actuator Power Supply with Energy Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft electrical power systems face challenges in efficiently managing intermittent high-power demands from actuators, leading to oversized wires and equipment, increased weight, and complexity, as well as the need for reduced weight and fuel consumption.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of energy storage devices, such as batteries and supercapacitors, in conjunction with bi-directional power converters, allows for the storage and release of excess electrical energy to meet peak power requirements, reducing the size and weight of power transmission components and providing a backup power source.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If wires and cables are sized to withstand high intermittent power demands, then power delivery capability is improved, but weight and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The energy storage device stores electrical energy in advance during periods of low power demand, so that when peak power is needed, the pre-stored energy can be rapidly discharged to supplement the power from the aircraft electrical system, eliminating the need for oversized wires and equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The energy storage device acts as an intermediary between the aircraft electrical system and the actuator, buffering the intermittent high-power demands and allowing the use of smaller, lighter wires and components in the power transmission path
2Power
If wires and cables are sized to withstand high intermittent power demands, then power delivery capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By storing energy in advance in the energy storage device, the system prepares for peak power demands without requiring complex oversized power transmission infrastructure, simplifying the overall device architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The energy storage device serves as a simplifying intermediary that decouples the peak power delivery requirement from the continuous power transmission infrastructure, allowing simpler, smaller wires and components to be used
3Power
If larger wires and equipment are used to meet peak power demands, then power delivery capability is improved, but fuel consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The energy storage device pre-charges during low-demand periods, enabling peak power delivery without requiring heavy, energy-intensive wire infrastructure, thereby reducing overall energy consumption and fuel burn
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between drawing power from the aircraft electrical system and discharging stored energy based on real-time power demands, optimizing the use of available power sources and reducing the need for oversized, continuously heavy power transmission components
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 achieves significant weight savings, reduced complexity, and enhanced reliability by enabling higher peak power delivery with smaller cables and components, while also providing a local backup power source in case of grid failures.
Implementation Method 1
storing at least one of electrical energy and regenerated electrical energy in an energy storage device and subsequently releasing the stored energy to the motor drive electronics when required for actuation of the actuator
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a power supply apparatus for an aerospace actuator 14, comprising motor drive electronics 12 for actuation of a motor 13 for control of the aerospace actuator 14, and an energy storage device 17. The motor drive electronics 12 are configured to receive input electrical energy from an aircraft power grid 6, receive electrical energy from the energy storage device 17 and provide electrical energy from the grid 6 and/or from the energy storage device 17 to the motor 13. The energy storage device 17 is configured to store at least one of: excess electrical energy supplied to the motor drive electronics 12 from the grid 6 and regenerated electrical energy from the motor drive electronics 12. The energy storage device 17 is configured to discharge the stored energy as electrical energy to the motor drive electronics 12 when required. An aircraft may be provided with at least one of the above-described power apparatuses.