Aircraft Power Supply Switching Aid Cell for Loss Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power supply systems for aircraft experience significant electrical energy losses due to complex switch control mechanisms, intrinsic diode conduction losses, and parasitic capacitor discharge, which are not adequately addressed by current control methods.
Innovation Solution
A power supply system with a main switching cell and a switching aid cell connected in cascade, utilizing switching capacitors in parallel with main and secondary switches, and advanced control means to minimize switching and conduction losses by controlling switches to operate at low or zero voltage and current during switching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If switches are controlled on opening and closing to regulate electrical power, then power regulation is achieved, but dynamic switching losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a switching aid cell with auxiliary switches and capacitors as intermediary elements. These auxiliaries create resonant circuits that enable the main switches to turn on and off at zero voltage or zero current, thereby eliminating dynamic switching losses while maintaining power regulation capability through the main switches.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the switches by using resonant oscillations to achieve zero-voltage switching (ZVS) or zero-current switching (ZCS). The switching aid cell modifies the voltage and current waveforms so that switching occurs at optimal points in the oscillation cycle, transforming hard switching into soft switching.
2Power
If intrinsic diodes are used to conduct load current for voltage resonance, then voltage resonance is achieved, but conduction losses in diodes and switches increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the diode conduction function from the intrinsic diodes of the main switches and transfers it to dedicated auxiliary switches in the switching aid cell. These auxiliary switches are specifically designed to handle the resonant current, allowing the main switches to operate with lower conduction losses while still achieving the necessary voltage resonance.
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 system reduces electrical energy losses by minimizing switching and conduction losses, simplifying switch control, and eliminating the need for low-recovery diodes, thereby enhancing efficiency and reducing the number of system components.
Implementation Method 1
the connecting branch comprising a switching coil
Implementation Method 2
switching capacitors in parallel with main and secondary switches
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The system (4) has a main switching cell (6) including two main branches (14, 16) having respective main switches (T1, T2). A switching aid cell (10) includes two secondary branches (20, 22) having respective secondary switches (T3, T4). A connecting branch (24) connects the switching aid cell to the main switching cell, where the connecting branch includes a switching coil (L1). The switching aid cell includes a switching capacitor (C1) placed in parallel to one of the secondary switches, and another switching capacitor (C2) arranged in parallel to one of the main switches.