Aircraft Charging System with Shielded Ground Contacts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing charging systems for electrically powered aircraft require manual intervention and pose safety risks due to the need for large-scale line connections and high electrical currents, which complicates autonomous operation and increases operating costs.
Innovation Solution
A charging system comprising a contact device on the aircraft and a charging contact device on the ground, which can be automatically contacted to form an electrically conductive connection, featuring a safety device to shield and switch charging contacts without human intervention, enabling quick and safe charging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If manual plug-socket connection is used for charging, then electrical connection can be established, but operating costs increase and autonomous operation is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The charging system enables the aircraft to charge itself autonomously through the following mechanism: The contact device on the aircraft automatically aligns with and contacts the charging contact device on the ground during taxiing or parking. The control device detects contact status and automatically controls the charging process without requiring manual intervention for connection or disconnection, allowing the aircraft to service itself during normal operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging system incorporates dynamic elements that allow automatic adaptation during operation: The contact device can move relative to the charging contact device during aircraft taxiing and positioning. The system dynamically adjusts the connection state based on aircraft position, enabling automatic engagement when aligned and automatic disengagement when moved away, thus supporting autonomous operation without fixed manual connection procedures.
2Productivity
If large-scale cable connections are used for high current transmission, then rapid charging is enabled, but safety risks increase for ground personnel
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the hazardous high-voltage/high-current charging contacts from the aircraft and relocates them to the ground-based charging contact device. The contact device on the aircraft only carries low-voltage control signals. This separation removes the dangerous high-power electrical components from the aircraft, eliminating safety risks to ground personnel while maintaining rapid charging capability through the ground-based power delivery system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a control device as an intermediary between the aircraft and the charging system. This control device manages the charging process by detecting contact status and controlling the charging contact device, allowing high-power transmission to occur automatically without requiring ground personnel to handle cables or make connections, thus enabling rapid charging while eliminating human exposure to electrical hazards.
3Ease of operation
If frequent stops for recharging are required, then flight time is reduced, but operating costs increase due to manual intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous charging system allows the aircraft to automatically charge itself during taxiing, parking, or ground operations without requiring manual intervention. The contact device automatically engages with the ground-based charging contact device, and the control device manages the entire charging process. This eliminates the need for ground personnel to connect cables or monitor charging, reducing operating costs while enabling frequent quick charging stops that minimize impact on flight schedules.
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 system allows for automatic, safe, and efficient charging of electric aircraft, reducing operating costs and enabling autonomous operation by eliminating the need for manual connection and ensuring high-security standards during charging.
Implementation Method 1
the contact elements can each be electrically contacted with the charging contact elements in the contact position to form contact pairs
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a charging system (12) for electrically powered aircraft, in particular manned or unmanned aircraft, airplane, motor glider, helicopter (11), airship or the like, for forming an electrically conductive connection between an aircraft (10) and a stationary charging station, wherein the charging system comprises a contact device (13) and a charging contact device (15), wherein the charging contact device can be electrically contacted with the contact device in a contact position, wherein the contact device has contact elements (18) and the charging contact device has charging contact elements (19), wherein the contact elements can each be electrically contacted with the charging contact elements in the contact position to form contact pairs, wherein the contact device can be arranged below an aircraft, and wherein the charging contact device can be arranged on a surface (16) on which the aircraft can be parked.wherein the charging contact device has at least one safety device by means of which at least one charging contact element can be shielded and/or switched without voltage. The invention further relates to a method for contacting an electrically powered aircraft.