Dynamic Power Supply System for Aircraft

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional aircraft power distribution systems face challenges in efficiently managing power demands, particularly during peak or emergency situations, due to the need for centralized and overrated DC to DC power converters which increase size, cost, and complexity, and are vulnerable to cosmic ray effects.

Innovation Solution

A dynamic power supply system with decentralized DC to DC power converters within each power supply unit, connected in series and controlled by a module that can bypass energy storage units to meet power demands, utilizing smaller-rated converters and reducing the impact of cosmic rays, allowing for modular, efficient, and reliable power distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If centralized and overrated DC to DC power converters are used to meet peak power demands, then power supply capability is improved, but system size, cost, and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supply capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the centralized power converter into multiple distributed power supply units, each with its own DC to DC converter. These units are arranged in series and can operate independently or in combination, allowing the system to meet peak power demands without requiring a single oversized converter, thus reducing overall system complexity and cost while maintaining power supply capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic power supply by enabling individual power supply units to be selectively activated or bypassed based on real-time power demands. The controller dynamically adjusts which units are operational, allowing the system to scale power output flexibly without being constrained by a fixed centralized converter rating.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Power

If centralized and overrated DC to DC power converters are used to meet peak power demands, then power supply capability is improved, but system cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supply capabilityVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If centralized DC to DC power converters are used, then power conversion is simplified, but vulnerability to cosmic ray effects increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower conversion complexityVSAvoidcosmic ray vulnerability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates selective bypass capability for each power supply unit, allowing the controller to isolate and bypass units that may be affected by cosmic ray effects or other failures. This redundancy and isolation mechanism protects the overall system from single-point failures, cushioning against the harmful effects of cosmic rays on semiconductor devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

4Device complexity

If smaller-rated DC to DC power converters are used in a decentralized configuration, then system cost and complexity decrease, but power supply capability during peak demands may be insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidpower supply capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables multiple smaller power supply units to be electrically connected in series and operated simultaneously, combining their individual power outputs to meet peak power demands. The controller coordinates the operation of multiple units, allowing their collective capacity to exceed that of any single unit, thus achieving high power capability through aggregation of smaller components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11605957B2Dynamic power supply system

Publication Date: 2023.03.14 GE AVIATION SYSTEMS LLC

AI summary

A power supply system includes a set of power supply units, each power supply unit arranged electrically in series and defining a common power supply, each power supply unit having a power module and a selective bypass for selectively bypassing the respective power module. The power supply system can meet a power demand.