Vertical Cable Arrangement for Electric Aircraft Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Charging electric aircraft is cumbersome due to heavy and long charging cables, especially when the vehicle is on a helipad, as existing solutions do not adequately address the challenges of cable management and elevation changes.
Innovation Solution
A vertical cable arrangement system with a charger, lift, and rotatable cable reel that allows the charging cable to be raised between different elevation positions, enabling easy deployment and stowage, and includes a method for unstowing and stowing the cable for efficient charging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a charging cable is used for electric aircraft, then electrical power can be transmitted to the aircraft, but the cable becomes heavy and difficult to handle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a lift mechanism as an intermediary device to handle the charging cable. The lift is connected to the cable and automatically raises or lowers it based on the aircraft's position, eliminating the need for manual cable handling while maintaining continuous electrical power transmission to the moving aircraft
2Use of energy by moving object
If a charging cable is extended to reach the aircraft, then power transmission is enabled, but the cable becomes long and prone to tangling
Solution Approach 1:
The lift acts as a mediator that actively manages the cable's position and tension. By automatically adjusting the cable length and position based on the aircraft's elevation and location, the lift prevents tangling and simplifies cable management while maintaining adequate reach for power transmission
3Use of energy by moving object
If the charging cable needs to reach aircraft on a helipad, then power transmission is possible, but manual cable dragging becomes tiresome
Solution Approach 1:
The lift serves as an automated intermediary that eliminates manual cable deployment effort. It automatically raises the cable to the helipad elevation and positions it for connection, enabling power transmission to aircraft on elevated surfaces without requiring operators to drag heavy cables manually
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service operation where the lift automatically manages cable deployment and positioning based on the aircraft's position. The cable is raised and positioned autonomously without requiring manual intervention, making the charging process more convenient and less physically demanding
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
Facilitates easier and more efficient charging of electric aircraft by managing cable elevation and deployment, reducing the strain of handling heavy cables and improving accessibility on helipads.
Implementation Method 1
A vertical cable arrangement system with a charger, lift, and rotatable cable reel that allows the charging cable to be raised between different elevation positions
Implementation Method 2
rotatable cable reel that allows the charging cable to be raised between different elevation positions, enabling easy deployment and stowage
Data Source
AI summary
A system for charging an electric aircraft including a vertical cable arrangement, the system including a charger. The charger including an energy source, a charging cable electrically connected to the energy source, and a vertical cable arrangement. The vertical cable arrangement has a first cable arrangement position wherein the vertical cable arrangement is located at a first elevation, and has a second cable arrangement position, wherein the vertical cable arrangement is located at a second elevation, wherein the second elevation is greater than the first elevation. The charger also includes a lift connected to the vertical cable arrangement. The lift has a first lift position and a second lift position. When the lift is in the first lift position, the vertical cable arrangement is in the first cable arrangement position. When the lift is in the second lift position, the vertical cable arrangement is in the second cable arrangement position.