Aircraft Voltage Overflow Device Shunts Excess Power to Deicing Load
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft electrical power systems face issues with excess power leading to overvoltage events, which can damage equipment, and regenerative power from electric actuation systems introduces erratic voltage rises, necessitating effective control measures to prevent damage.
Innovation Solution
A voltage overflow device is electrically coupled to the power grid, equipped with a voltage monitoring circuit that shunts excess voltage to a resistive load when it exceeds a predetermined level, thereby preserving power quality by utilizing an electrical deicing or anti-icing system as a resistive load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dedicated overvoltage protection controls (crowbars) are used to prevent overvoltage damage, then equipment protection is improved, but system complexity and weight increase due to redundant protection units
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical deicing/anti-icing system is made multi-functional by enabling it to serve both its primary function (deicing/anti-icing) and a secondary function (absorbing excess power during overvoltage events). The resistive heating elements that normally heat surfaces to prevent ice accumulation can simultaneously act as a load to dissipate excess electrical power, eliminating the need for separate crowbar protection devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the overvoltage protection function with the existing deicing/anti-icing system by electrically connecting them. The voltage overflow device combines the voltage monitoring circuit, switch, and resistive load (deicing system) into a single integrated unit that performs both protection and deicing functions.
2Loss of energy
If regenerative power from electric actuation systems is utilized, then energy efficiency is improved, but voltage quality deteriorates due to erratic voltage rises
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage monitoring circuit continuously monitors the electrical power system voltage and provides feedback to the switch control logic. When the monitored voltage exceeds the predetermined threshold, the system automatically activates the switch to connect the resistive load, thereby damping the voltage rise and maintaining voltage quality despite regenerative power input.
Solution Approach 2:
The voltage overflow device acts as an intermediary between the regenerative power source and the electrical power system. The resistive load serves as a mediator that absorbs the erratic voltage rises from regenerative braking, preventing them from propagating through the system and degrading voltage quality.
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
This solution efficiently manages excess power, potentially removing the need for redundant overvoltage protection units, saves weight, and provides useful work for regenerative power, while maintaining power quality by directing excess voltage to a resistive load within the aircraft electrical system.
Implementation Method 1
monitoring, by a voltage monitoring circuit of the voltage overflow device, a voltage via the at least one electrical contact on the power grid
Implementation Method 2
shunting, by a switch of the voltage overflow device, an excess voltage over the predetermined voltage to a resistive load
Data Source
AI summary
A method of preserving power quality on a power grid is provided. The method is implemented by a voltage overflow device that is electrically coupled to the power grid through electrical contacts. A voltage monitoring circuit of the voltage overflow device monitors a voltage via the electrical contacts on the power grid with respect to a predetermined voltage. The voltage monitoring circuit determines whether the voltage exceeds the predetermined voltage. A switch of the voltage overflow device shunt an excess voltage over the predetermined voltage to a resistive load when the voltage exceeds the predetermined voltage to preserve the power quality on the power grid.