Autonomous Emergency Power Network for Fuel Logistics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current emergency power systems face challenges in maintaining fuel supply during long-term power failures, as they rely on battery capacity, fuel reserves, and functioning fueling stations, which are often overwhelmed and insufficient, leading to logistical issues and potential system failures.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising at least two emergency power systems with sensors to detect fuel reserves, computing units to determine remaining life, and telecommunication units to automatically form an autonomous network, transmitting data on fuel reserves and consumption, enabling secure fuel supply and communication even in the absence of existing infrastructure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of stationary object

If emergency power systems rely on traditional fuel reserves and centralized fueling stations, then the system can operate during short-term power failures, but the system fails during long-term power failures when fueling stations are overwhelmed or non-functional

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation durationVSAvoidfuel supply reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the centralized fueling infrastructure into distributed autonomous emergency power systems, each with its own fuel reserve and telecommunication capabilities. This segmentation allows each unit to operate independently during long-term failures when centralized fueling is unavailable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Emergency power systems are pre-equipped with sufficient fuel reserves and autonomous telecommunication units before failures occur. The systems can automatically form networks and exchange information about fuel status and location in advance, enabling coordinated operation during extended outages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If all emergency power systems start simultaneously during large-area power failures, then all systems receive power restoration, but the fuel supply logistics become overwhelmed and cannot refuel systems in time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower restoration speedVSAvoidfuel replenishment time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The autonomous telecommunication network enables real-time feedback exchange between emergency power systems regarding their fuel status, operational state, and location. This feedback mechanism allows the system to coordinate refueling priorities and logistics dynamically, preventing overwhelming simultaneous refueling demands.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from static, simultaneous operation to dynamic, coordinated operation. Emergency power systems can adjust their operational status, share location information, and receive prioritized refueling based on their criticality and fuel status, optimizing the overall system response during large-area failures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If emergency power systems use existing telecommunication infrastructure, then communication is established quickly, but the system fails when the existing infrastructure collapses during power failures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication establishmentVSAvoidcommunication reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Emergency power systems are equipped with universal telecommunication units that can operate both during normal conditions (using existing infrastructure) and during failures (forming autonomous networks). This multi-functionality ensures communication continuity across different operational scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The systems are pre-configured with autonomous telecommunication capabilities and protocols for forming independent networks. This beforehand preparation ensures that when existing infrastructure fails, the systems can immediately establish alternative communication channels without interruption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS9015004B2System for emergency power supply in case of power grid failure
Publication Date: 2015.04.21 TIMEKONTOR AG

AI summary

A system for emergency power supply in case of power grid failure, particularly for longer-term power failures, is described. The system is based on emergency power systems that automatically form an autonomous telecommunication network and transmit data by means of the telecommunication network about the operating state of the emergency power supply system and optionally further data.