Adaptive Power Management for Aircraft Electrical Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current load management techniques in electrical power systems onboard vehicles, such as aircraft, prioritize protection from overloads rather than optimizing electrical power usage, leading to inefficient energy distribution and potential propulsion power reduction.
Innovation Solution
Developing adaptive electrical power management systems that create profiles of predetermined threshold levels and loading, adjusting based on operational data to maintain a consistent margin below these thresholds, optimizing electrical power generation and distribution across different phases of operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current load management techniques using PID controllers are used to protect electrical generators from overloads, then generator protection is improved, but electrical power optimization is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts load management strategies based on real-time operational phase detection. Instead of using a static PID controller threshold, the system adapts its control parameters according to the detected operational phase (takeoff, climb, cruise, descent, landing), allowing optimal power distribution while maintaining generator protection across varying operational conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of the operational phase before making load management decisions. By identifying which phase the aircraft is in beforehand, the system can pre-calculate optimal threshold levels and load prioritization strategies, enabling proactive rather than reactive power management and avoiding the need for continuous PID controller adjustments.
2Productivity
If more electrical power is generated and used onboard aircraft, then overall aircraft engine efficiency is improved, but energy available for propulsion is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameter of power distribution based on operational phase. During different phases (takeoff, climb, cruise, descent, landing), the system adjusts which loads are active and at what power levels, ensuring that critical loads receive adequate power while non-critical loads are reduced or shut off, thereby optimizing the balance between electrical power usage and propulsion energy availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the operational flight profile into distinct phases (takeoff, climb, cruise, descent, landing) and applies different power management strategies to each phase. This segmentation allows the system to optimize electrical power distribution for each specific operational context, ensuring that propulsion energy is preserved during critical phases while maximizing electrical power utilization during phases where it is less critical.
3Power
If electrical loading is increased from 100 KW to 1 MW onboard aircraft, then electrical power capability is improved, but load management complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic operational phase detection to automatically adjust load management thresholds. As electrical power capability increases to 1 MW, the system dynamically adapts its control parameters based on the current operational phase, simplifying the management of high-power loads by providing clear, phase-based guidance on which loads should be active rather than requiring complex continuous control algorithms.
Data Source
AI summary
In a non-limiting, exemplary embodiment, electrical power is adaptively managed. A profile of predetermined threshold levels of electrical loading is developed for phases of an operation. A profile of electrical loading is developed for the phases of the operation such that electrical loading is substantially a same predetermined margin below the predetermined threshold levels during the phases of the operation. During the phases of the operation, operational data indicative of an electrical power generation system's actual ability to support electrical loading and/or actual electrical loading is received. The profile of the predetermined threshold levels and/or the profile of electrical loading is adjusted responsive to the operational data such that electrical loading is maintained substantially the same predetermined margin below the predetermined threshold levels during the phases of the operation.