Electric Aircraft Charging Authorization via Credential And Proximity Pilot
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Solution Overview
Problem
The optimization of the recharging process for electric aircraft is complex due to the need for efficient authorization and credential management to facilitate charging at charging structures.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that includes a housing with a charging connector, a proximity pilot, and a computing device to detect proximity to the electric aircraft port, authorize charging, and upload credentials to a remote data storage, ensuring secure and efficient energy transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If credential verification and authorization processes are implemented for electric aircraft charging, then charging security and reliability are improved, but system complexity and operational time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary credential verification and authorization checks before initiating the charging process. The computing device validates aircraft credentials and authorizes charging in advance, ensuring security requirements are met before energy transfer begins, thus preventing unauthorized charging while maintaining streamlined operations
Solution Approach 2:
The computing device acts as an intermediary between the aircraft controller and the charging structure. It receives credentials from the aircraft controller, processes authorization logic, and communicates charging authorization status, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture by centralizing the authorization function in a dedicated component
2Measurement precision
If proximity detection is implemented using a proximity pilot, then charging connection accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The charging connector performs self-verification of proper connection through the proximity pilot. The proximity pilot automatically detects whether the housing is correctly mated with the aircraft port and provides feedback to the computing device, enabling the system to self-validate connection status without requiring additional complex verification mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces complex mechanical interlocking and alignment verification mechanisms with an electromagnetic or capacitive proximity sensing system. The proximity pilot uses non-contact sensing to detect housing proximity and mating status, substituting mechanical verification with a more compact and electronically integrated sensing approach
Data Source
AI summary
In an aspect the current disclosure is an apparatus for authorizing an electric aircraft to charge at a charging structure. The apparatus may include a housing configured to mate with an electric vehicle port of an electric vehicle, at least a current conductor configured to conduct a current, a proximity pilot, and a computing device. The at least a current conductor comprises a direct current conductor configured to conduct a direct current and an alternating current conductor configured to conduct an alternating current. The computing device is configured to be communicatively connected to the aircraft charging structure and the proximity pilot. The computing device may further be configured to receive an aircraft credential from an aircraft controller, authorize the charging structure to charge an energy source of the aircraft as a function of the aircraft credential, and upload the aircraft credential to a remote data storage device.