Aircraft Power Network Overload Control Using Multi-Device Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power and energy management systems in aircraft struggle to efficiently detect and manage power overload conditions, particularly due to unknown timing and magnitude of overloads, and fail to automatically clear these conditions without relying on specific power network architectures or tailored rules.
Innovation Solution
A method using a controller to access and analyze measurements from multiple devices, detect power overloads through threshold analysis, reduce power consumption by operating devices below their rated levels, and automatically manage the overload by computing control action values to support the condition, utilizing energy storage systems, and restore normal operations once the overload is cleared.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If power and energy management systems use sophisticated control to manage overload conditions, then the ability to counteract generator failures and overload conditions is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The PEMS automatically detects overload conditions, computes control actions, and manages power distribution without external intervention. The system self-adjusts by computing control action values u(t) for each device and automatically implementing power adjustments, eliminating the need for manual system reconfiguration during overload events.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors power consumption of all devices and compares it against available generator capacity. This feedback loop enables the PEMS to detect overload conditions in real-time and dynamically adjust power distribution by computing control actions based on current system state, ensuring reliable operation under varying conditions.
2Speed
If the system automatically detects and manages overload conditions, then the response time to overload events is improved, but the measurement and detection requirements become more stringent
Solution Approach 1:
The PEMS continuously monitors power consumption of all devices without interruption, maintaining constant awareness of system load conditions. This continuous measurement enables immediate detection of overload events as they occur, ensuring rapid response while using standard measurement capabilities throughout the monitoring process.
3Reliability
If the PEMS reduces power consumption of devices to manage overload, then the overload condition is mitigated, but the power availability to devices is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The PEMS dynamically adjusts power consumption of devices based on real-time overload conditions. Rather than static power allocation, the system computes time-varying control actions u(t) that adapt power distribution to current system needs, reducing power to non-critical devices during overload while maintaining essential operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operating parameters of devices by adjusting their power consumption levels. The PEMS computes control actions that modify power delivery to individual devices, changing their operational state from full power to reduced power modes during overload conditions, thereby mitigating the overload while maintaining device functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for identifying and managing a power overload condition of devices located in a power network of an environment. The method comprises, via a controller, accessing and receiving a plurality of measurements from a plurality of devices and/or locations within the environment, detecting an overall overload condition on said plurality of devices, and if said overload condition is detected, actuating, or controlling a power consumption of said one or more devices, such that said overload condition is reduced, and said method further comprising, via said controller, monitoring said overload condition. and automatically detecting when said overload condition has cleared.