Ground Power Unit Synchronization for Parallel Jet Engine Starting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ground power units (GPUs) are inadequate to meet the higher energy requirements of advanced aircraft, particularly unconventional jet engines, and lack scalability to accommodate various energy demands.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for synchronizing multiple GPUs by generating, comparing, and adjusting phase shifts to ensure synchronized output signals, allowing for combined power delivery to start jet engines, utilizing a master-slave configuration and external power contactors to combine phases.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If a single standard-rated GPU is used, then the device complexity is low, but the power output is insufficient for advanced aircraft

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower outputVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple standard-rated GPUs to deliver higher power output. By synchronizing two or more GPUs and connecting them in parallel through power contactors, the system achieves combined power delivery that exceeds the capability of a single GPU, thereby resolving the contradiction between power output and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Power

If multiple GPUs are combined without synchronization, then the power output increases, but the reliability decreases due to phase conflicts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecombined power outputVSAvoidsystem reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs a synchronization controller that continuously monitors the phase, frequency, and voltage of each GPU output. Based on this feedback, the controller adjusts the operation of individual GPUs and controls power contactors to ensure proper synchronization, thereby maintaining reliability while achieving combined power output.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Before combining multiple GPUs for power delivery, the system performs preliminary synchronization to ensure all GPUs are properly aligned in phase and frequency. This preliminary action prevents phase conflicts and ensures reliable operation when multiple GPUs are combined.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Power

If higher energy rating GPUs are used, then the power capability increases, but the adaptability decreases for various aircraft types

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy ratingVSAvoidaircraft compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses multiple standard-rated GPUs that can be individually configured and combined in different configurations. This universal approach allows the same standard GPUs to serve various aircraft types with different power requirements by adjusting the number of GPUs operated and their configuration, thereby maintaining adaptability while achieving higher power capability when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20260084837A1Systems and methods for synchronizing ground power units

Publication Date: 2026.03.26 BOOM TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

Output signals from ground power units can be combined to supply more energy for aircraft to use for starting a jet engine. The combining can be possible when the outputs from the ground power units are synchronized. In a synchronization process, a first ground power unit may be started so that its first output signal serves as a reference for the synchronization. Then, an interconnect on a second ground power unit can be toggled to start and stop the generation of a second output signal at different times until the signals are in phase (i.e., synchronized).