Ground Power Unit Loopback for Aircraft Supply and Battery Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Charging electrical equipment in airports is challenging due to the scarcity of charging points, particularly for mobile and autonomous equipment like push-back tractors and ground power units.
Innovation Solution
A ground power unit (GPU) that includes an AC-DC converter, an electrical energy storage module, and a DC-AC converter, allowing simultaneous power supply to aircraft from alternating voltage and charging of electrical equipment batteries from direct voltage through a looped connection, with an optional transformer for voltage modification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a ground power unit is used to power aircraft, then the aircraft can be supplied with alternating voltage, but there are no charging points available to charge batteries of electrical equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The ground power unit is configured to perform multiple functions: it can power an aircraft with AC voltage through the DC-AC converter, and simultaneously charge batteries of electrical equipment with DC voltage through the AC-DC converter. The loopback connection enables the system to serve both as a power supply and a charging station, making the device universal and adaptable to different electrical equipment needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the aircraft power supply function and the battery charging function into a single ground power unit. By connecting the output of the DC-AC converter back to the input of the AC-DC converter through an electrical connection, the system combines two separate functions (AC power output and DC charging output) into one integrated device, eliminating the need for separate charging points.
2Productivity
If the output of the DC-AC converter is connected back to the input of the AC-DC converter, then simultaneous power supply and charging is enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The loopback connection creates a continuous operational cycle where the DC-AC converter outputs AC voltage that is immediately fed back to the AC-DC converter, which converts it to DC voltage for battery charging. This continuous loop enables simultaneous power supply to the aircraft and charging of electrical equipment without interruption, maintaining continuous useful action across both functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The ground power unit serves itself by using its own AC output to generate the DC input needed for battery charging. The AC voltage from the DC-AC converter is fed back through the loopback connection to the AC-DC converter, which converts it to DC voltage for charging batteries. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external charging infrastructure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If charging points are increased at airports, then more electrical equipment can be charged, but the infrastructure cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of building multiple dedicated charging points throughout the airport, the invention makes a single ground power unit universal by enabling it to both power aircraft and charge batteries of electrical equipment. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for extensive infrastructure expansion, as one device can serve multiple purposes that previously required separate facilities.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient and simultaneous power supply to aircraft and charging of electrical equipment batteries, addressing the scarcity of charging points by utilizing stored energy to provide both alternating and direct voltages as needed.
Implementation Method 1
an AC-DC converter electrically connected to said electrical power input, said AC-DC converter being configured to convert an AC electrical voltage into a DC electrical voltage
Implementation Method 2
a DC-AC converter electrically connected to said storage module and a first electrical power output electrically connected to said DC-AC converter, said DC-AC converter being configured to convert the direct electrical voltage received from the storage module into an alternating electrical voltage
Implementation Method 3
a transformer connected in series to the electrical connection between the output of the DC-AC converter and the input of the AC-DC converter, said transformer being configured to modify the value of the AC electrical output voltage of the DC-AC converter into a voltage whose value is within a predetermined range of voltage values
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a ground power unit (10) for supplying an aircraft (20) with power via a first power supply output (140), which ground power unit comprises an electrical connection (135) connecting the output of a DC-to-AC converter (130) to the input of an AC-to-DC converter (110) and a second power supply output (150) electrically connected to the output of the AC-to-DC converter (110), the AC-to-DC converter (110) being configured to convert the AC voltage received from the output of the DC-to-AC converter (130) into a DC voltage available over the second power supply output (150) in order to charge an electrical energy storage unit of external electrical equipment(30).