Regulated Transformer Rectifier Unit for Aircraft DC Power Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electrical power systems on aircraft lack stability and robustness, particularly in providing regulated DC power, leading to increased weight due to unregulated AC-to-DC converters and potential system instability when integrated with dynamic AC power generation systems.
Innovation Solution
A regulated transformer rectifier unit is implemented, which determines source impedance based on aggregate load impedance and stability criteria to provide stable and regulated DC power, incorporating multiple parallel converters for fault tolerance and reduced weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If unregulated AC-to-DC converters are used, then weight is reduced, but power quality and system stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control mechanism where the regulated transformer rectifier unit continuously monitors its output and adjusts its operation to maintain stable DC power delivery. The controller receives feedback about system conditions and modifies the transformer rectifier unit's output accordingly, ensuring stability even with dynamic loads and variable AC input.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the transformer rectifier unit dynamically. The controller adjusts parameters such as firing angles of thyristors or pulse width modulation duty cycles to regulate the DC output voltage and current, transforming the rectifier from a passive component to an actively controlled power conversion system.
2Reliability
If multiple parallel converters are implemented, then fault tolerance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the power conversion function into multiple parallel converter modules. Each module can operate independently, and if one fails, the others continue to provide power. This segmentation approach distributes the power conversion task across multiple units, improving fault tolerance while allowing graceful degradation of system capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple transformer rectifier units in parallel configuration to share the total power load. The controllers of these units are coordinated to work together as a unified system, merging their capabilities to provide both redundancy and increased power capacity without requiring complete system redesign.
3Reliability
If source impedance is optimized for stability, then power quality improves, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the effective source impedance through electronic control rather than using fixed heavy physical components. By controlling the switching characteristics and modulation parameters of the transformer rectifier unit, the system can present an optimized impedance profile to the load, achieving stability without requiring heavy passive impedance-matching components.
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 solution ensures a stable electrical power system with improved power quality, reduced weight, and enhanced reliability for aircraft systems, addressing the limitations of existing unregulated converters and system instability.
Implementation Method 1
A transformer in a transformer rectifier unit on an aircraft may be configured to transform a multiple-phase AC input signal provided by an AC power source to a multiple-phase AC output signal
Implementation Method 2
The rectifier in the transformer rectifier unit may be configured to convert that multiple-phase AC output signal provided by the transformer in the transformer rectifier unit to a DC power signal
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for providing power stably for direct current loads. A regulated transformer rectifier unit is controlled to provide regulated direct current power for the direct current loads at an output of the regulated transformer rectifier unit from alternating current power provided by an alternating current power source to an input of the regulated transformer rectifier unit. The direct current loads comprise passive direct current loads and active direct current loads comprising active switching power supplies. The direct current loads have at least one of constant power characteristics, resistive power characteristics, inductive power characteristics, and capacitive power characteristics. A source impedance at the output of the regulated transformer rectifier unit is determined based on an aggregate load impedance of the direct current loads and stability criterion.