Electric Aircraft Charging Pad With Grid-Buffered Fast Recharging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern electric aircraft, such as eVTOLs, are limited by battery capacity and require rapid charging, but existing charging stations strain electric power grids and cannot reliably or quickly deliver power.
Innovation Solution
A recharging station with an elevated landing pad and a rechargeable component that includes a power delivery unit, charging unit, and cable reel module, allowing for efficient power transfer and flexible aircraft orientation, using a power storage unit with a capacity of at least 500 kWh and integrated systems for deicing, lighting, and thermal management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If existing charging stations are used to charge electric aircraft, then charging can be performed, but the power delivery is not reliable and cannot be quick enough
Solution Approach 1:
The charging system is segmented into multiple independent power delivery units, each capable of providing power through separate cable reel modules. This segmentation allows the system to deliver power more reliably by distributing the load and preventing single-point failures, while also enabling faster charging through parallel power delivery channels.
Solution Approach 2:
A landing pad intermediary structure is introduced between the aircraft and the ground-based power supply. This landing pad houses power storage units and power delivery units that act as intermediaries, buffering the power flow and ensuring reliable, rapid power transfer to the aircraft without directly straining the external power grid.
2Loss of time
If rapid charging is implemented to reduce charging time, then charging speed improves, but strain on power grids increases
Solution Approach 1:
Power storage units are pre-charged during periods of low demand, storing energy in advance for rapid discharge when aircraft charging is needed. This preliminary energy accumulation enables fast charging without imposing sudden high demands on the power grid, thus reducing overall grid strain while maintaining quick charging capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic charging cycles where power is drawn from the grid during off-peak hours to charge storage units, then delivers power during peak charging需求的 periods. This periodic operation smooths out power grid demand, reducing strain while enabling rapid charging when needed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If fixed charging station configuration is used, then infrastructure is simple, but aircraft orientation flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The charging station incorporates dynamic cable reel modules that can extend and retract, and power delivery units that can move or reposition. This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt to various aircraft orientations and landing positions on the pad, providing versatile charging access without requiring a complex fixed infrastructure for every possible aircraft configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for a recharging station including a landing pad, a rechargeable component coupled to the landing pad, and a power delivery unit configured to deliver power from a power supply unit or power storage unit to the recharging component. Rechargeable component includes a plurality of charging units placed at predetermined spacings from one another. The plurality of charging units allows for the electric aircraft to land in any orientation.