Intelligent Power Distribution System for Vehicle Load Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power distribution systems in vehicles, such as aircraft, face issues where 'noisy' loads create transients that adversely affect other loads on the same power distribution bus, requiring large and expensive filters to mitigate these effects.

Innovation Solution

An intelligent power distribution system with power blocks that can selectively draw power from multiple sources based on load characteristics, isolating 'noisy' loads from 'clean' loads by preprogramming or dynamically determining the appropriate power source, allowing 'noisy' loads to draw power from one source and 'clean' loads from another, thereby reducing transient effects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If all loads connected to a power distribution bus are supplied from a single power source, then system simplicity is maintained, but transient effects from noisy loads adversely affect other loads on the same bus

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower distribution topologyVSAvoidtransient effects on loads
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the power distribution architecture by introducing intelligent power blocks that can selectively connect to different power sources. Each power block independently manages its load's power source connection, dividing the previously unified power bus into multiple isolated power delivery paths. This segmentation prevents transient effects from propagating across the entire bus while maintaining system modularity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The intelligent power block acts as an intermediary device between the power distribution bus and individual loads. It monitors load characteristics and dynamically selects appropriate power sources, isolating noisy loads from clean loads through controlled switching. This intermediary function prevents direct coupling between incompatible loads while maintaining power delivery flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If large filters are added to reduce transient effects, then load protection is improved, but system cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransient effects mitigationVSAvoidfilter size and cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts the transient mitigation function from passive filter components and relocates it to active intelligent power blocks. Instead of using large filters to suppress transients, the system actively prevents transient generation by isolating noisy loads through intelligent power source selection. This extraction eliminates the need for bulky filter components while achieving the same protective effect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces passive mechanical filter components with active electronic control mechanisms. Rather than relying on physical filter elements to attenuate transients, the system uses electronic switching and monitoring in power blocks to prevent transient propagation. This substitution reduces physical footprint and cost while improving response effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If noisy loads and clean loads are supplied from the same power source, then power distribution simplicity is maintained, but noise from noisy loads degrades performance of clean loads

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower source distributionVSAvoidload performance stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces dynamic power source assignment where intelligent power blocks continuously monitor load characteristics and adjust power source connections in real-time. Clean loads are dynamically assigned to stable power sources while noisy loads are isolated to different sources. This dynamic adaptation maintains optimal performance while preserving power distribution flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies local quality control by allowing different power source qualities for different loads based on their specific requirements. Clean loads receive power from high-quality stable sources while noisy loads are isolated to separate sources. Each power block independently manages its connection quality, ensuring that local load requirements are met without compromising overall system simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2536000B1Intelligent electrical power distribution system
Publication Date: 2019.04.10 HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORP
  • EP2536000B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2536000B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2536000B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

intelligent power distribution system distributes power on a vehicle. The system includes at least a first power source an a second power source for supplying electrical power, and at least a first power block and a second power block, each connected to receive power from the first power source and the second power source. Each power block includes at least one load and a power selector having a first input for receiving power from the first power source and a second power source and an output for supplying power from either the first power source or the second power source to the at once load. The power selector selects either the first power source or the second power source for provision to the at least one load based on characteristics of the at least one load.