Aircraft Power System Stability Validation via Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for analyzing and ensuring the stability of electrical power systems on aircraft equipped with high voltage DC subsystems and active motor control loads are inadequate, leading to potential instability and increased costs due to overdesign, heavier weight, and higher maintenance needs.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that includes a design system, simulation system, stability evaluation system, and hardware testing system to establish and validate a stable electrical power system design, using simulation data and hardware testing to ensure stability under various operating conditions and certify design changes through simulation rather than expensive hardware testing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current analysis systems are used for electrical power systems with high voltage DC subsystems and active motor control loads, then the system can be designed and implemented, but the system stability cannot be ensured leading to potential instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing stability analysis and generating stability assurance reports during the design phase, before the electrical power system is implemented. The system evaluates stability for multiple operating conditions and generates reports that guide design modifications to ensure stability before deployment, preventing instability issues rather than addressing them after occurrence.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using measured electrical characteristics from the power system to update and refine stability analysis models. The system continuously compares actual system behavior with predicted behavior, using the discrepancy to improve the accuracy of stability assessments and ensure the system maintains stability under varying operating conditions.
2Reliability
If overdesign is used to ensure stability, then system stability may be improved, but the system becomes heavier and has larger volumetric stowage requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by systematically varying design parameters and evaluating their impact on system stability through computational analysis. Instead of overdesigning all components, the system identifies specific parameters that critically affect stability and optimizes only those, allowing for weight reduction while maintaining stability through precise parameter tuning rather than blanket overdesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by applying stability enhancement measures only where needed in the power system architecture. Rather than uniformly overdesigning the entire system, the analysis identifies specific components or subsystems that require stability improvements and applies targeted solutions to those local areas, reducing overall weight while maintaining system-wide stability.
3Reliability
If traditional certification methods are used, then hardware can be tested, but the process is expensive and time-consuming requiring frequent maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies copying by creating virtual replicas of the electrical power system through detailed computational models that replicate actual system behavior. These digital twins allow for extensive stability testing and validation in silico, reducing the need for physical hardware testing iterations and accelerating the certification process while maintaining rigorous validation standards.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by performing comprehensive stability analysis and generating certification-ready documentation during the design and development phase. By completing stability validation before formal certification proceedings, the system reduces the time and cost of subsequent certification processes and minimizes the need for repeated testing and maintenance.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for establishing a validated stable design for a stable electrical power system. An initial design for an electrical power system is established. The initial design for the electrical power system satisfies design requirements. The initial design for the electrical power system is simulated for a plurality of simulated operating conditions for the electrical power system to generate simulation data. Stability parameter requirements for a stable design for the electrical power system are established from the simulation data. A hardware implementation of the stable design for the electrical power system is tested to generate hardware testing data. The stable design for the electrical power system is validated using the hardware testing data to establish a validated stable design for the electrical power system.