Routable Backup Power Control Units for Aircraft Ice Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Safety critical systems, such as aircraft ice protection systems, require redundant power control, but the need for a dedicated backup power control unit for each primary unit increases system size, weight, and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A redundant power control system that includes multiple primary power control circuits and at least one secondary power control circuit, where the secondary circuit can connect to multiple primary power input lines via a switch circuit, allowing it to assume control in case of a fault, thereby reducing the number of required backup units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dedicated backup power control unit is provided for each primary power control unit, then system reliability is improved, but system size, weight, and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The backup power control unit is designed to serve multiple primary power control units simultaneously. The single backup unit can assume control of any failed primary unit through a switch circuit that allows it to connect to multiple load power input lines, making the backup unit universal rather than dedicated to a single primary unit.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple backup functions are merged into a single backup power control unit. Instead of having separate backup units for each primary unit, the invention combines the backup capability into one shared unit that can replace any failed primary unit through control channel switching and load power input line connection.
2Reliability
If a dedicated backup power control unit is provided for each primary power control unit, then system reliability is improved, but system weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The backup power control unit is designed to serve multiple primary power control units simultaneously. The single backup unit can assume control of any failed primary unit through a switch circuit that allows it to connect to multiple load power input lines, making the backup unit universal rather than dedicated to a single primary unit.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple backup functions are merged into a single backup power control unit. Instead of having separate backup units for each primary unit, the invention combines the backup capability into one shared unit that can replace any failed primary unit through control channel switching and load power input line connection.
3Reliability
If a dedicated backup power control unit is provided for each primary power control unit, then system reliability is improved, but system size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The backup power control unit is designed to serve multiple primary power control units simultaneously. The single backup unit can assume control of any failed primary unit through a switch circuit that allows it to connect to multiple load power input lines, making the backup unit universal rather than dedicated to a single primary unit.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple backup functions are merged into a single backup power control unit. Instead of having separate backup units for each primary unit, the invention combines the backup capability into one shared unit that can replace any failed primary unit through control channel switching and load power input line connection.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system and method for controlling power includes a power source, a plurality of primary control circuits (20a - 20n), a load, at least one secondary control circuit (22a - 22n), a switch circuit (24), and a control channel. The plurality of primary control circuits (20a - 20n) are connected to control load power from the power source to respective ones of a plurality of load power inputs. The load is configured to receive power from the plurality of load power inputs. The at least one secondary control circuit (22a - 22n) is connected to the power source, and the switch circuit (24) is connected between the at least one secondary control circuit (22a - 22n) and the plurality of load power inputs. The control channel is configured to control the switch circuit (24) to connect the at least one secondary control circuit (22a - 22n) to a selected one of the plurality of load power inputs.