Space Vehicle Electrical Power System with Segmented Bus Architecture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Space vehicles face limitations in electrical power storage and distribution due to the remote nature of space travel, requiring efficient and redundant power systems to maintain safe operations during take-off, flight, and landing, while managing dynamic peak power demands.
Innovation Solution
The electrical power system (EPS) incorporates multiple power sources such as solar arrays, batteries, and supercapacitors, connected through various converters and regulators to supply power to unregulated and regulated DC buses, ensuring redundancy and efficient peak power management, with load sharing regulators to balance power distribution and manage stress on components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple power sources and converters are added to manage dynamic peak power demands, then power delivery reliability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power system is segmented into multiple independent power sources (solar arrays, batteries, supercapacitors) that can operate autonomously or in combination. Each power source has its own control circuitry and can independently supply power to specific buses, allowing the system to handle peak demands through modular coordination rather than a monolithic complex system.
Solution Approach 2:
The DC-DC converters are designed with multi-functionality to perform multiple roles: power conversion between different voltage levels, energy storage during regenerative braking, and system isolation during faults. This universal design reduces the need for dedicated components for each function, thereby managing complexity while maintaining reliability.
2Power
If electrical storage capacity is increased to meet peak power demands, then power availability is improved, but vehicle weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses parameter changes in the form of switching between different power sources based on real-time power demands and state of charge levels. During peak demands, the system dynamically adjusts the contribution of each power source (solar arrays, batteries, supercapacitors) to provide required power without requiring excessive storage capacity from any single source, thereby avoiding excessive weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The power distribution system is designed to be dynamic, continuously adjusting power flow paths based on real-time conditions. The control system monitors power demands, state of charge, and system status to dynamically allocate power from the most appropriate sources, allowing the vehicle to meet peak demands without over-provisioning storage capacity and thereby minimizing weight.
3Reliability
If redundant power paths are implemented to ensure safe operations, then system reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power distribution architecture is segmented into multiple independent paths with separate DC-DC converters and control circuits. Each converter can independently manage power flow between different buses, creating redundant paths without requiring a fully interconnected complex system. This segmentation allows reliability through multiple paths while managing complexity through modular independence.
4Productivity
If DC-DC converters are used to manage power distribution, then power management efficiency is improved, but energy losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The DC-DC converters are controlled with adjustable parameters including switching frequency, duty cycle, and operating mode (buck, boost, or bidirectional) based on real-time power flow requirements. This parameter optimization allows the converters to operate at peak efficiency points while meeting power distribution requirements, minimizing energy losses despite the presence of multiple conversion stages.
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 EPS provides reliable and efficient power delivery, reducing electrical and thermal stresses on components, supporting dynamic peak power demands without oversizing the system, and ensuring safe operations by maintaining power redundancy and efficient energy distribution.
Implementation Method 1
Solar arrays may be used to provide a renewable energy source for the electrical power system
Implementation Method 2
The EPS may include a first battery and a second battery
Implementation Method 3
The EPS may include a first supercapacitor and a second supercapacitor
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
An electrical power system for a space vehicle may comprise a first plurality of power sources (102), a first collector bus configured to receive power from the plurality of power sources (102), an unregulated DC bus (120) configured to receive power from the first collector bus, a regulated high voltage direct current (HVDC) bus (140) configured to receive power from the unregulated DC bus (120), and a first power distribution unit (PDU) (150) configured to receive power from the regulated HVDC bus (140). The regulated HVDC bus (140) may be configured to supply power to a high voltage load. The first plurality of power sources (102) may comprise a first solar array, a first supercapacitor, and/or a first battery.