Multi-Bus Electric Drive Reserve Battery Switching for Aircraft
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Electric drive systems in aircraft require efficient reserve energy management to ensure sufficient power for operation, particularly during critical phases like landing, where traditional battery systems may not provide optimal energy density or longevity.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a multi-lane approach with separate high-voltage buses and reserve batteries, optimized for higher energy density and lower power density, allows for seamless switching from main battery systems to reserve batteries when predefined criteria are met, using control signals to manage the energy supply without DC-DC converters, thereby reducing weight and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If traditional battery systems are used for reserve energy, then the system is simpler, but the energy density and flight duration are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is segmented into multiple independent high-voltage buses (HV1, HV2, HV3), each with its own reserve battery. This segmentation allows the reserve energy to be distributed across multiple specialized batteries rather than requiring one large battery, thereby extending flight duration without proportionally increasing total battery capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
Each reserve battery is locally optimized for high energy density to maximize flight duration. By assigning specific reserve batteries to specific high-voltage buses, the system achieves local quality optimization where each battery operates in its optimal performance range, extending overall system duration without requiring excessive total capacity.
2Duration of action of moving object
If reserve batteries are optimized for high energy density, then flight duration is extended, but power density is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the power delivery function across multiple batteries. While individual reserve batteries have high energy density for extended duration, the collective array of reserve batteries across multiple high-voltage buses can deliver sufficient total power when needed, resolving the contradiction between individual battery power density and system-level power availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The reserve batteries serve multiple functions: they provide extended energy storage for flight duration while collectively capable of delivering power during critical phases. The system design allows reserve batteries to be universally applicable across different flight scenarios, balancing energy density optimization with adequate power delivery through system architecture rather than individual battery specifications.
3Reliability
If separate reserve batteries are provided for each high-voltage bus, then energy supply reliability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the energy supply into independent high-voltage buses, each with its own reserve battery. This segmentation improves reliability by isolating failures to individual buses rather than affecting the entire system. The modular architecture manages complexity through standardization of each bus segment rather than creating a monolithic complex system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the architectural parameter from a single centralized battery system to multiple distributed high-voltage buses with individual reserve batteries. This parameter change distributes the complexity across multiple simpler, identical modules rather than one complex centralized system, improving reliability while managing overall system complexity through modularity.
4Reliability
If DC-DC converters are used for voltage conversion, then voltage matching is improved, but weight and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and removes the DC-DC converter components from the architecture. By designing the battery system to natively output the required voltage levels for each high-voltage bus, the patent eliminates the need for intermediate voltage conversion equipment, thereby reducing weight and maintenance requirements while maintaining proper voltage matching through direct connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery system is designed with universal voltage output capabilities that directly match the requirements of multiple high-voltage buses. This multi-functional design allows the same battery architecture to serve multiple voltage requirements without requiring additional conversion equipment, eliminating weight and maintenance overhead associated with DC-DC converters.
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 configuration enables extended flight duration and reduced maintenance by optimizing reserve batteries for energy density and lower power requirements, ensuring reliable operation during critical phases without impacting overall motor power, while minimizing costs and weight through direct voltage supply and smart switching mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
inverters that each convert an input-side DC voltage to an output-side AC voltage that is provided to the electric motor
Implementation Method 2
The battery modules are provided to supply DC voltage to each of the high-voltage buses
Implementation Method 3
A separate reserve battery is provided for each high-voltage bus
Data Source
AI summary
An electric drive system includes at least one electric drive unit. The at least one electric drive unit includes an electric motor and inverters that are each supplied with DC voltage via a high-voltage bus. The electric drive system includes a main battery system that has a plurality of battery modules that supply DC voltage to each of the high-voltage buses. The electric device system includes a plurality of reserve batteries. A separate reserve battery is provided for each high-voltage bus. The drive system is configured to make a change to the supply of DC voltage when a corresponding control signal is present for each of the high-voltage buses. A change is made from a supply of DC voltage of the battery module of the main battery system that is assigned to the high-voltage bus to a supply of DC voltage of the reserve battery assigned to the high-voltage bus.