Power Conditioning Unit for Flight Test Data Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flight test data loss due to power disruptions or fluctuations in the aircraft's power bus during testing, which can occur intentionally or due to varying power levels.
Innovation Solution
A power control system comprising a power transfer unit and a power conditioning unit, including switches, rectifiers, regulators, energy buffers, and inverters, that selectively couple to various power buses and condition power signals to ensure uninterrupted power supply to flight test systems, with automatic switching based on power availability and measurement data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the flight test monitoring equipment is powered by the aircraft's power bus, then the equipment can operate using the aircraft's existing power infrastructure, but power disruptions or fluctuations in the power bus can cause loss of flight test data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a power transfer unit as an intermediary device between the aircraft's power bus and the flight test monitoring equipment. This unit includes multiple power terminals that can couple to different power buses (primary and secondary) and uses switches to selectively connect to alternative power sources when the primary power bus experiences disruptions, thereby preventing data loss while maintaining connection to the power infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring multiple power terminals and switches in the power transfer unit before power disruptions occur. The controller continuously monitors power bus status and proactively switches to alternative power sources before complete power loss occurs, preventing flight test data loss rather than recovering from it
2Adaptability or versatility
If the power bus is deactivated intentionally as part of test procedure or experiences power fluctuations, then the flight test can cover power disruption scenarios, but the flight test monitoring equipment loses power and data
Solution Approach 1:
The power transfer unit dynamically adapts its configuration based on real-time power bus status. The switches within the unit can selectively couple different power terminals to the output, allowing the system to transition from using the primary power bus to alternative power sources as conditions change, thereby maintaining power supply continuity even when the primary bus is deactivated or fluctuating
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
The system provides continuous power to flight test systems by switching between power buses and utilizing energy buffers during transitions, preventing data loss and ensuring reliable operation even during power fluctuations or intentional deactivation of the primary power bus.
Implementation Method 1
a rectifier having an input terminal coupled to the power transfer unit output terminal
Implementation Method 2
an energy buffer coupled to an output terminal of the regulator
Implementation Method 3
an inverter having an input terminal coupled to the energy buffer and having an output terminal configured to couple to a load
Data Source
AI summary
A power conditioning unit includes unit a rectifier having an input terminal coupled to a power transfer unit output terminal and a regulator having an input terminal coupled to an output terminal of the rectifier. The power conditioning unit also includes an energy buffer coupled to an output terminal of the regulator. The power conditioning unit includes an inverter having an input terminal coupled to the energy buffer and having an output terminal configured to couple to a load.