Aircraft Power Source Droop Control for Smooth DC Bus Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft electrical systems face challenges in smoothly transitioning between power sources, such as gas turbine spools and battery systems, without causing sudden changes in torque or voltage drops in the DC distribution system.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a local controller that adjusts droop gain over a time interval using predetermined functions to control power sources, ensuring a smooth transition by progressively changing the proportion of power supplied by each source, maintaining DC bus stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the droop gain is adjusted suddenly to change the proportion of power from one source to another, then the power source proportion changes quickly, but this causes sudden torque changes and voltage drops
Solution Approach 1:
The droop gain is made dynamic by adjusting it over time according to a predetermined function, transitioning from a static fixed value to a time-varying parameter. This allows the system to adapt the power distribution smoothly between sources during transition, preventing sudden torque changes and voltage drops while achieving the desired power source proportion change.
2Reliability
If the droop gain is adjusted through intermediate values over time, then the power transfer becomes smooth and stable, but this increases the transition time
Solution Approach 1:
The droop gain parameter is changed systematically over time according to a predetermined function, transitioning from one value to another through controlled intermediate values. This parameter change approach allows the system to achieve smooth power transfer while managing the transition time efficiently, balancing stability requirements with operational responsiveness.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical system for an aircraft comprises a local controller configured to control a power source for an aircraft using droop control in accordance with a droop gain. The local controller is configured, in response to receiving a command, to adjust the droop gain from a first value to a second value progressively over a time interval according to a predetermined function of time.