Hybrid Propulsion Power Distribution via HVDC Bus Rectifier Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hybrid propulsion systems for VTOL aircraft face complexity and inefficiency in controlling power distribution between electrical sources, particularly in seeking optimal power management across different operating ratings and flight phases.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for controlling power distribution in a hybrid propulsion system using a controlled AC/DC rectifier and a battery, connected directly to an HVDC bus, with regulation loops for power and voltage setpoints, eliminating the need for a DC/DC converter and enabling adaptive control across various ratings and flight phases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a DC/DC converter is used to control battery current in hybrid propulsion systems, then power distribution control is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the DC/DC converter from the system architecture. Instead of using a dedicated DC/DC converter to control battery current, the invention directly connects the battery to the HVDC bus and uses the AC/DC rectifier to control power flow from the generator, thereby eliminating the complex converter while maintaining power distribution control capability
Solution Approach 2:
The AC/DC rectifier is given multiple functions: it not only rectifies AC power from the generator but also controls the power distribution between the generator and battery by regulating its firing angle. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate DC/DC converter hardware, reducing system complexity
2Productivity
If multiple converters and rectifiers are used for optimal power management, then power distribution control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The AC/DC rectifier performs multiple functions including power rectification, power flow control, and battery charging/discharging management through its firing angle control. This eliminates the need for separate DC/DC converters and complex control systems, achieving efficient power management with simpler hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the functions of the AC/DC rectifier and the DC/DC converter into a single control mechanism. The rectifier's firing angle control simultaneously manages both the generator power output and the battery power flow, combining what were previously separate control functions into one unified system
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional control methods seeking local optima are used, then adaptation to different ratings is achieved, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from the microcontroller to monitor the aircraft's operating rating and automatically adjusts the rectifier's firing angle accordingly. This feedback mechanism enables automatic adaptation to different ratings (takeoff, cruise, landing) without complex control algorithms, simply by comparing the current rating with pre-stored optimal firing angle values
Solution Approach 2:
The control system pre-stores optimal firing angle values for different aircraft ratings in the microcontroller. When a rating change occurs, the system immediately retrieves and applies the pre-calculated optimal firing angle, avoiding the need for real-time optimization calculations and reducing control complexity
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
This solution simplifies and optimizes power management, enhancing scalability, reliability, and weight efficiency while ensuring efficient power distribution between AC voltage sources and batteries, adapting to different operational requirements and ratings.
Implementation Method 1
a controlled AC/DC rectifier
Data Source
AI summary
Method for monitoring the distribution of power in a hybrid propulsion system comprising one or more electrical sources delivering an AC voltage, each of which is associated with an AC-to-DC controlled rectifier and one or more batteries, wherein, the AC-to-DC controlled rectifier and the battery each being connected directly to an HVDC bus supplying one or more electrical loads with power, the monitoring of the distribution of power is performed through the individual AC-to-DC controlled rectifier by a feedback loop to a power setpoint (Pref) on the basis of a measured power of the battery (Pbat) and a feedback loop to a voltage setpoint (Vref) on the basis of a measured voltage of the HVDC bus (VHVDC), either one of these two feedback loops delivering an RMS current setpoint Idref and Iqref for a feedback loop on the basis of a current (Igen) of the electrical source delivering an AC voltage.