Adaptive Power System with Bi-directional Current Source
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power distribution systems struggle to manage dynamic load profiles in platforms like ships and satellites, leading to extreme power transients, generator stress, and inefficiencies due to unpredictable power demands, which result in significant power quality issues and mechanical wear.
Innovation Solution
An adaptive power system comprising an energy storage device, bi-directional current source, and compensation circuitry that maintains a constant power level on the power distribution bus by delivering or absorbing current based on calculated compensation values, using expected average current values for dynamic loads to mitigate bus disturbances and reduce stress on generators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If passive filters are used to smooth the dynamics of the dynamic load profile, then power quality is improved, but the filter size and weight become impractical or prohibitive for platform installation
Solution Approach 1:
An energy storage device (capacitor) is introduced as an intermediary component between the dynamic load and the power distribution bus. The capacitor absorbs and releases energy to counteract the dynamic load variations, maintaining constant power on the bus without requiring large passive filters. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by providing power quality improvement through a compact energy storage solution rather than bulky passive filtering components.
2Reliability
If the throw-away power method is used by dissipating excess power in an active load, then generator reliability is improved and bus disturbances are minimized, but power distribution system efficiency deteriorates due to large additional power dissipation
Solution Approach 1:
The energy storage device recovers and stores excess energy during periods when the dynamic load is below peak demand, rather than dissipating it. This recovered energy is then released during periods of high demand, eliminating the need for continuous power dissipation. This approach maintains generator reliability by preventing bus disturbances while dramatically reducing energy loss compared to the throw-away power method.
3Ease of operation
If pulse power is supplied only at predefined scheduled time intervals, then the power distribution system can be managed within charging time constraints, but system performance is limited by the charging times and repetition rates
Solution Approach 1:
The energy storage device is charged in advance during periods of low or zero dynamic load demand, storing energy before it is needed. This preliminary energy accumulation allows the system to support high-power dynamic loads immediately when required, without being constrained by charging time intervals. The capacitor acts as a pre-charged energy reservoir that can deliver peak power on demand, eliminating the performance limitations of restricted-timeline methods.
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 adaptive power system effectively reduces peak power demand, minimizes power losses, and eliminates dynamic power dynamics, allowing dynamic loads to operate efficiently within standard power quality parameters without the need for large filters or excessive power dissipation, thus supporting dynamic loads at a fraction of the size and weight of conventional solutions.
Implementation Method 1
an energy storage device, a bi-directional current source, and compensation circuitry. The bi-directional current source may be configured to be electrically connected between the energy storage device and a power distribution bus
Data Source
AI summary
An adaptive power system for powering a dynamically changing load may include an energy storage device, a bi-directional current source, and compensation circuitry. The bi-directional current source may be electrically connected between the energy storage device and a power distribution bus of a power distribution system. Further, the bi-directional current source is configured to receive a compensation value and, based on the compensation value, maintain a constant power level on the power distribution bus by delivering current to the power distribution bus from the energy storage device or absorbing current from the power distribution bus for storage in the energy storage device. The compensation circuitry may be configured to generate the compensation value. An expected average current value for the dynamically changing load and a power distribution bus current value may be used to generate the compensation value for maintaining the constant power level on the power distribution bus.