Aircraft Ground Power Distribution With Adaptive Load Sharing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ground support equipment (GSE) power distribution systems are oversized and complex, leading to high costs and resource wastage, as they typically require multiple power lines and panel boards to supply power to aircraft on the ground, especially for preconditioned air units (PCAs) and ground power units (GPUs), which often exceed the actual power needs of aircraft.
Innovation Solution
A power distribution system that includes a controller to monitor and manage the power consumption of electrical loads, ensuring that the total power consumption does not exceed a predetermined maximum input power, allowing for adaptive control of 'less important' loads like PCAs to balance the power demand, thereby optimizing the power supply and distribution using a single power line.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If multiple power lines and panel boards are installed to supply power to PCA and GPU, then the power supply capacity is sufficient, but the system complexity and installation costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple power distribution functions into a single integrated power line system. The controller manages power allocation between PCA and GPU through intelligent monitoring and adaptive control, eliminating the need for separate panel boards for each device while maintaining sufficient power supply capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The single power line is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously - powering both the PCA and GPU devices. The controller enables this power line to adaptively distribute power to different loads based on their instantaneous requirements, making the system more versatile and less complex.
2Reliability
If oversized power supply is installed to meet peak power demands, then all power needs are covered, but resources are wasted during low-power periods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power allocation where the controller continuously monitors the power consumption of connected devices and adjusts the power distribution in real-time. This allows the system to scale power delivery according to actual needs rather than relying on fixed oversized capacity, reducing energy waste while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller incorporates feedback mechanisms to monitor the instantaneous power demands of PCA and GPU devices. Based on this feedback, the system dynamically adjusts power allocation, ensuring that power is supplied reliably when needed while avoiding unnecessary power delivery during low-demand periods, thus eliminating resource wastage.
3Reliability
If individual panel boards are installed for each device, then each device receives dedicated power, but the installation costs and infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the power distribution infrastructure into a single shared system rather than installing separate panel boards for each device. The controller ensures that each device receives adequate power through intelligent allocation, achieving dedicated power supply reliability without the high installation costs of multiple separate infrastructure components.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the power supply is sized for the maximum possible load, then all potential power demands are met, but the system is oversized for typical operating conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic power management where the system adapts its power output to match the actual instantaneous demands of connected devices. The controller monitors load requirements and adjusts power delivery accordingly, allowing the infrastructure to be sized for typical operations while still meeting peak demands through adaptive control, rather than requiring oversized fixed infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters dynamically based on actual power需求的. The controller adjusts power allocation parameters in real-time, enabling the infrastructure to efficiently serve variable loads without requiring permanent oversized capacity, thus reducing the quantity of infrastructure materials needed while maintaining adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A power distribution system is provided for an aircraft on the ground, including 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 the predetermined maximum input power provided by the power supply, and a controller, adapted to monitor at least one parameter of the power consumed by any one of the first and second electrical load, and control the power consumption of at least the first electrical load so that the total power consumption of the first and second electrical load does not exceed the predetermined maximum input power; wherein the predetermined maximum input power is provided via a single power line between the power supply and an input port of the first electrical load.