Battery Ground Power Unit Switching Layout to Prevent Reverse Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft ground power units (GPUs) face challenges in construction, operability, durability, and maintenance, particularly with battery-driven systems, which lack efficient energy management and safety features.
Innovation Solution
A battery-driven GPU system with multiple batteries, inverters, electronic switches, and diodes for parallel and serial connections, controlled by digital units to ensure safe and efficient energy distribution, including a method for charging and monitoring batteries to prevent reverse charging and malfunctions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If multiple batteries are connected in parallel to increase power capacity, then the power supply capability is improved, but the risk of reverse charging and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Diodes are introduced as intermediary components between batteries and the inverter to prevent reverse charging. The diodes allow current flow in only one direction (from battery to inverter), blocking any reverse current that could damage the batteries. This mediator component resolves the contradiction by enabling parallel battery connections for increased power while protecting against reliability risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful function of potential reverse current is extracted and isolated from the battery system by placing diodes in series. This separates the beneficial parallel connection capability from the harmful reverse charging risk, allowing the system to enjoy increased power capacity without the associated reliability concerns.
2Ease of operation
If electronic switches are added to control battery connections, then the operability and safety are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic switches are controlled automatically by a control unit that monitors battery status and system conditions. The system serves itself by making autonomous switching decisions based on real-time data, eliminating the need for manual intervention while maintaining simple operation for the user. This resolves the contradiction by providing ease of operation through automation without requiring complex manual control mechanisms.
3Reliability
If diodes are added to prevent reverse charging, then the battery protection is improved, but the energy loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The diodes provide partial protection by blocking only reverse current while allowing normal forward current to pass with minimal loss. The protective function is applied selectively - excessive protection that would block all current is avoided, and only the necessary minimum protection against reverse charging is implemented. This resolves the contradiction by providing adequate battery protection while minimizing energy loss.
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
Improves construction, operability, durability, and maintenance by allowing safe and efficient energy distribution, preventing reverse charging, and ensuring continuous power supply to aircraft, with enhanced safety features and efficient charging mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
an inverter for transforming an output current of the battery to an alternating output current of the inverter to be supplied to the aircraft
Implementation Method 2
a first diode is connected in serial, allowing current from the first battery to the inverter and blocking or limiting current from the inverter or the second battery to the first battery
Data Source
AI summary
An airport ground power unit for supplying electric current to a parked aircraft and a related system and method. The ground power unit includes a first electric battery, an inverter for transforming an output current of the battery to an alternating output current to be supplied to the aircraft, and one or more first electronic switches for connecting and disconnecting the first battery to and from the inverter. The first switches are connected in serial to the first battery, and together connected to the inverter. A first controller unit controls at least one of the one or more first switches. The ground power unit further includes a second electric battery and second electronic switches for connecting and disconnecting the second battery. The second switches are connected in serial to the second battery and are together connected to the inverter such that they are in parallel to the serially connected first battery and the first switches. At least one of the second switches is controlled by the first or a second digital controller unit.