Aircraft External Power Switch Control for Multiple Power Sources

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing number of external power sources connected to aircraft requires multiple physical switches on the flight deck, increasing complexity and reducing available space, which complicates power control and increases crew workload.

Innovation Solution

A single external power switch coupled with multiple onboard controllers that determine and manage the states of multiple external power sources, using a processing circuitry and memory to control power distribution and indicator lamps, allowing for clear and unambiguous control of multiple power sources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple physical EP switches are installed on the flight deck to control each EP source, then each EP source can be controlled independently, but the device complexity and flight deck space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol capabilityVSAvoidnumber of switches

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single physical EP switch is designed to control multiple EP sources through a controller that receives identification signals from each EP source. The switch performs multiple functions by sequentially or simultaneously managing power distribution to different EP sources based on their identification signals, eliminating the need for separate switches for each source while maintaining independent control capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

A controller acts as an intermediary between the single physical EP switch and multiple EP sources. The controller receives the identification signal from the activated EP source, determines the appropriate power distribution, and manages the connection between the switch and the specific EP source, thereby enabling one switch to control multiple sources

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple physical EP switches are installed on the flight deck, then each EP source can be controlled independently, but the available flight deck space decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol capabilityVSAvoidflight deck space

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple EP switch functions are merged into a single physical switch located on the flight deck. This consolidated switch, working with the controller, provides the same control capability as multiple separate switches would have, thereby reducing the flight deck space required while maintaining the ability to control multiple EP sources independently

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If multiple EP sources are connected to the aircraft, then power availability increases, but the crew workload and training requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower availabilityVSAvoidcrew workload

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically identifies which EP source is activated through identification signals and autonomously determines the appropriate power distribution without requiring crew intervention. The controller manages the complexity of multiple EP sources, eliminating the need for crew members to manually configure or monitor each source, thereby reducing workload while maintaining power availability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11858649B2Controlling multiple aircraft external power sources with a single external power switch

Publication Date: 2024.01.02 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

A plurality of external power (“EP”) sources can be controlled with a single EP switch. A plurality of EP states can be determined, each EP state of the plurality of EP states being associated with one EP source from the plurality of EP sources. A highest EP state of the plurality of EP states can be determined. An EP indicator of the EP switch can be controlled based on the highest EP state.