Aircraft Ground Power Distribution With Dynamic Load Prioritization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current ground support equipment (GSE) systems, including preconditioned air units (PCA) and ground power units (GPU), require excessive and complex power distribution infrastructure, leading to high costs and resource wastage, especially since APUs are being phased out due to environmental concerns, necessitating a more efficient power supply and distribution system.
Innovation Solution
A power distribution system that adaptively controls power consumption to minimize the maximum power required from the grid by prioritizing essential loads like GPUs over PCAs, allowing a single power line to supply multiple units, and using a self-regulating serial approach to manage power distribution, thereby reducing the need for multiple panel boards and cabling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If individual panel boards are installed for each GSE unit (PCA and GPU), then each unit receives dedicated power supply, but the system complexity and installation costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple GSE units (PCA and GPU) onto a single panel board, merging previously separate power distribution systems. This reduces the number of panel boards from three (one for PCA, two for GPUs) to one shared panel board, thereby reducing system complexity and installation costs while maintaining dedicated power supply to each unit through separate circuit breakers and distribution paths on the shared board.
2Reliability
If oversized power supply capacity is installed to meet peak demands, then all loads can be served simultaneously, but resources are wasted during normal operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power management by introducing a controller that monitors the power consumption of connected GSE units and dynamically adjusts the power distribution capacity. The system can scale power allocation based on actual demand, allowing the panel board to serve peak loads when necessary while reducing power capacity during normal operation, thereby eliminating the need for permanently oversized power supply installation.
3Ease of operation
If multiple panel boards are installed to serve different GSE units, then each unit has dedicated power control, but the installation and cabling costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate panel board installations into a single shared panel board that serves all GSE units. This consolidation reduces installation costs by eliminating redundant panel boards and reducing cabling requirements. The shared panel board maintains independent power control for each unit through dedicated circuit breakers and distribution circuits, preserving operational independence while achieving cost savings through consolidation.
4Ease of manufacture
If existing gate infrastructure with limited preinstalled power supply is used, then upgrade costs are reduced, but the ability to serve multiple GSE units is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal shared panel board that can serve multiple types of GSE units (PCA, GPU, and future additions) through a single infrastructure. This multi-functional design allows the system to adapt to different power distribution scenarios and accommodate additional equipment without requiring separate dedicated panel boards, thereby enhancing versatility while working within existing infrastructure constraints.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A power distribution system is provided for an aircraft on the ground, comprising a first electrical load, operably coupled to the aircraft on the ground and configured to receive at least a first portion of a predetermined maximum input power provided by a power supply; at least one second electrical load, electrically coupleable to the aircraft on the ground and configured to receive at least a second portion of said predetermined maximum input power provided by said power supply, and a controller, adapted to monitor at least one parameter of the power consumed by any one of said first electrical load and said at least one second electrical load, and control the power consumption of at least said first electrical load so that the total power consumption of said first electrical load and said at least one second electrical load does not exceed said predetermined maximum input power; wherein said predetermined maximum input power is provided via a single power line between said power supply and an input port of said first electrical load.