Series Battery Start Controller for Aircraft Engine Startup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft turbine engine startup places a significant load on the electrical system, often resulting in inadequate voltage for engine instruments and other aircraft systems, with existing solutions being complex and adding unwanted weight due to additional battery capacity.
Innovation Solution
A series battery start controller configures two batteries into a series connection during engine startup to provide higher voltage and then reconfigures them into a parallel connection when the operating voltage reaches a predetermined threshold, using series switching logic, a relay control switch, and cutoff switches to manage the battery configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If dual batteries are used to produce double voltage to improve starting performance, then starting performance is improved, but device complexity increases due to complex multiple-bus switching scheme
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the battery system into two distinct batteries (first battery and second battery) with separate control pathways. Each battery can be independently connected to the engine starter through separate relays (first battery relay and second battery relay), eliminating the need for complex multiple-bus switching schemes while maintaining the ability to provide double voltage during engine startup.
2Power
If additional battery capacity is used to power engine instruments during startup, then voltage adequacy is improved, but aircraft weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic reconfiguration of the battery system. During engine startup, the two batteries are connected in series to provide double voltage to the engine starter. Once the engine starts and the generator begins producing power, the system automatically reconfigures the batteries to parallel connection, which provides adequate voltage for engine instruments without requiring additional battery capacity, thereby avoiding unnecessary weight increase.
3Power
If two batteries are configured into series connection during startup, then voltage is increased for engine starting, but voltage control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs voltage detection circuits that automatically monitor the voltage levels produced by the two batteries. When the batteries are connected in series during startup, the detection circuit identifies the high voltage condition and automatically controls the relays to disconnect from the series configuration and switch to parallel configuration, eliminating the need for complex external voltage control mechanisms.
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus comprises a series switching logic 202 configured to receive an input signal. When the series switching logic receives the input signal, the series switching logic transmits an output signal. The apparatus further comprises a relay control switch 204 configured to receive the output signal from the series switching logic and configured to activate a series-parallel relay 108. When the output signal from the series switching logic is received, the relay control switch activates the series- parallel relay that configures a first battery 104 and a second battery 106 between a series and parallel connection. The series switching logic is further configured to detect the presence of an external power source or an on-board generator, and the series switching logic is precluded from transmitting the output signal to the relay control switch when an external power source or on-board generator is detected.