Hierarchical Power Distribution Switching for Leakage Current Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Power distribution systems in aircraft and other applications face challenges with limited power sources, where leakage currents through switches during idle states lead to excessive power consumption, discharging limited power supplies quickly, especially when using solid state devices in non-conducting modes.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a hierarchical switch topology and a controller module that selectively disconnects secondary power distribution nodes without active loads from limited power supplies, and supplying a low voltage to reduce leakage currents, while ensuring essential loads remain energized during idle states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If solid state switches are used in non-conducting modes during idle states, then switching speed and reliability are improved, but leakage currents increase causing excessive power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The power distribution system is divided into multiple hierarchical levels with primary and secondary switches. The secondary switches are segmented to be selectively disconnected from the power source, allowing isolated de-energizing of specific branches while maintaining primary switch connectivity for system-wide power distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the voltage parameter by providing a reduced voltage (e.g., 5V or 12V) to secondary power distribution nodes after disconnecting them from the main power source. This parameter change maintains minimal functionality for monitoring and control while dramatically reducing leakage currents and power consumption.
2Speed
If all secondary power distribution nodes remain connected to limited power supplies during idle states, then essential loads can be quickly re-energized, but power dissipation increases reducing power source life
Solution Approach 1:
The controller module pre-identifies which secondary power distribution nodes require power during idle states and maintains connectivity only for those nodes. This preliminary selection action ensures that essential loads can be quickly re-energized while non-essential nodes are disconnected to minimize power dissipation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the connectivity state of secondary power distribution nodes based on real-time power demands and operational priorities. The controller module continuously monitors load requirements and reconfigures the power distribution topology to balance between quick re-energization capability and power conservation.
3Productivity
If hierarchical switch topology is implemented to reduce leakage currents, then power distribution efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller module performs multiple functions including monitoring power demands, identifying essential loads, controlling primary and secondary switches, and providing reduced voltage. This universal control component consolidates multiple control functions into a single device, managing the hierarchical switch topology without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The reduced voltage supply acts as an intermediary between the main power source and disconnected secondary power distribution nodes. This intermediary provides minimal necessary power for monitoring and control functions, enabling efficient power distribution while maintaining system manageability through a standardized voltage translation layer.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and power distribution system (50) for operating in a low power consumption mode includes a primary power distribution node (16) defining a primary distribution switch (40) having an output (60) and operable in a first conducting mode and a second non-conducting mode, and wherein operating in the second non-conducting mode includes a leakage current through the power distribution switch (40), at least one enabled electrical load (48) downstream of the primary power distribution node (16), the at least one enabled electrical load (48) connectable to the primary power distribution node (16) by way of the primary distribution switch (40), and a primary power distribution node power source (58) configured to supply power to the output (60) of the primary distribution switch (40) when the primary distribution switch (40) is operating in the second non-conducting mode.