Electrical Power Distribution Fault Isolation by Progressive Re-Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrical power systems in aerial vehicles face challenges in identifying and isolating faults without disconnecting entire power supply channels, leading to high installation mass and complexity, and existing fault detection systems are unreliable in low impedance systems.
Innovation Solution
An electrical power system with a control system that isolates all devices from the network, progressively re-couples them in a predetermined order, and monitors for fault re-detection to identify and isolate the faulted devices, using multiple distribution networks for redundancy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple independent power supply channels are provided to ensure safe operation, then system reliability is improved, but installation mass and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The distribution network is segmented into multiple independently controllable sections through the introduction of multiple switchable devices. Each switch can independently isolate a specific section of the network, allowing faults to be contained locally rather than requiring complete channel disconnection. This segmentation enables the system to maintain operational reliability while reducing the need for excessive redundancy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically reconfigures the distribution network in response to detected faults. When a fault is identified, the control system automatically adjusts switch states to isolate affected sections while maintaining power supply to healthy sections. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain high reliability without requiring static over-provisioning of independent channels.
2Reliability
If multiple independent power supply channels are provided to ensure safe operation, then system reliability is improved, but installation mass increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the distribution network into controllable sections with individual switches, the system can achieve the same reliability level with fewer independent power supply channels. The segmentation allows localized fault isolation, meaning that a single fault does not require complete channel disconnection, thereby reducing the number of redundant channels needed and the associated installation mass.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of existing components (switch states) to achieve fault isolation rather than adding more physical components. By dynamically adjusting the configuration of the distribution network through switch control, the system maintains reliability without increasing the physical mass of power supply infrastructure.
3Device complexity
If conventional fault detection systems are used to disconnect only the faulty part, then system complexity is reduced, but they cannot function effectively in low impedance systems
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a sensor that continuously monitors the distribution network and provides feedback to the control system. When a fault is detected, the control system receives real-time information and automatically adjusts switch states to isolate the faulty section. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables effective fault detection and isolation in low impedance systems without requiring complex additional hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The distribution network is designed to be self-diagnosing and self-isolating through the combination of sensor monitoring and automated control. When a fault occurs, the system automatically identifies and isolates the affected section without requiring external intervention or complex detection equipment. This self-service capability maintains reliability while keeping the system relatively simple.
4Reliability
If the entire power supply channel is disconnected when a fault is detected, then system reliability is maintained, but productivity and operational efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The distribution network is divided into multiple switchable sections, allowing the system to isolate only the specific segment containing the fault rather than disconnecting the entire power supply channel. This segmentation enables continuous operation of healthy sections, maintaining productivity while ensuring reliability through localized fault containment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically reconfigures power distribution in response to faults, automatically adjusting switch states to maintain power supply to unaffected sections. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to respond to faults in real-time, maintaining operational efficiency by keeping healthy sections active while isolating only the necessary faulty portions.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical power system including a plurality of electrical devices, a distribution network and a control system. The control system is configured to detect an electrical fault associated with the distribution network based on a signal received from a sensor and to perform a fault procedure in response to a fault detection, including: (a) controlling a plurality of switches so all of the devices are isolated from the network; (b) subsequently controlling the switches to progressively re-couple at least some of the devices to the network in a re-coupling order and monitoring for re-detection of a fault; (c) identifying a set of one or more of the devices re-coupled to the distribution network to cause the re-detection of the fault, the set being a fault event set; and controlling at least one of the plurality of switches to isolate the fault event set from the network.