Parallel Motor Controller Architecture for Dynamic Power Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The weight of motor controllers in aircraft and other vehicle systems is substantial due to their size and power rating, leading to increased overall weight and inefficiencies, as each motor typically requires a dedicated controller sized for peak power load demands.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system where multiple smaller motor controllers are connected in parallel to a power switching network, allowing dynamic reconfiguration of power allocation based on current load requirements, enabling the use of smaller controllers to reduce overall system weight and improve power distribution efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a dedicated motor controller is used for each motor sized according to peak power load demand, then adequate power delivery is ensured, but the overall weight of the motor controller system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the motor controller functionality into multiple smaller, identical controller modules instead of using single large dedicated controllers. Each controller module has a power rating lower than the peak power load of any single motor it may serve, but multiple modules can be combined in parallel to meet peak power demands when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
Each motor controller module is designed to be universal and can service any motor in the system rather than being dedicated to a specific motor. The controllers are interconnected through a switching network that allows any controller to be dynamically assigned to any motor based on current power load requirements, enabling one controller to perform multiple functions across different motors at different times.
2Weight of stationary object
If smaller motor controllers are used in combination, then overall system weight decreases, but the complexity of power allocation and switching increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic reconfiguration of the power switching network based on real-time power load requirements. The switching network can dynamically connect any combination of controller modules to any motor as demands change, transitioning from static dedicated assignments to dynamic flexible assignments that optimize weight while meeting power needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors power load requirements of motors and uses this feedback information to dynamically reconfigure the switching network and allocate controller resources appropriately. This feedback mechanism enables the system to respond to changing conditions and optimize the allocation of controller capacity to match actual demand.
Data Source
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AI summary
Apparatus, methods, and computer storage media provide for the establishment of a parallel motor controller architecture and the dynamic reconfiguration of the architecture to redirect power to various motors according to the changing power load requirements of the motors. According to embodiments described herein, the present power load requirement for each motor of a group of motors is determined. The number of motor controllers to connect to each motor to provide the present power load requirement is then determined. A power switching network that connects the motor controllers to the motors is configured to connect the determined number of motor controllers to the corresponding motors. As the power load requirements of the motors changes, the power switching network is dynamically reconfigured to redirect power accordingly.