Power distribution system for DC network

Abstract

A power distribution system for a DC network, the DC network comprising electrical loads, the power distribution system being boarded on an aircraft and comprising: a plurality of AC/DC converters, and at least one AC power source. The power distribution system comprises: an “n” number of AC/DC converters, each one comprising an “(n−1)” number of first outputs and at least an additional output, and an “(n−1).Math.n” number of electrical loads. Each electrical load comprises two inputs: a first input for being connected with a corresponding first output, and a second input for being connected with any of the additional outputs. The power distribution system is configured to continue supplying electrical power to the DC network in case an AC/DC converter is not energized, such that the second input of such electrical load is connected to any additional output of another AC/DC converter, being the first input disconnected.

Claims

1. An electrical architecture, being boarded on an aircraft, comprising: a power distribution system; and a Direct Current, DC, network comprising a radar antenna; wherein the DC network comprises a plurality of electrical loads, and wherein the power distribution system comprises: a plurality of AC/DC converters configured to supply electrical power to the DC network, and at least one Alternating Current (AC) power source configured to energize the plurality of AC/DC converters, wherein the power distribution system further comprises: an “n” number of AC/DC converters, each comprising an “(n−1)” number of first outputs and at least an additional output, wherein the DC network further comprises: an “(n−1).Math.n” number of electrical loads, each “(n−1)” electrical load corresponding to one AC/DC converter, wherein each electrical load comprises two inputs: a first input configured to be connected with a corresponding first output of the corresponding AC/DC converter, and a second input configured to be connected with any of the additional outputs of the AC/DC converters, wherein the power distribution system further comprises a controller configured to continue supplying electrical power to the DC network in case of an AC/DC converter being not energized and therefore not supplying electrical power to its corresponding “(n−1)” electrical loads, such that the second input of such electrical load is connected to any additional output of another energized AC/DC converter, and the first input of such electrical load disconnected.

2. The electrical architecture according to claim 1, wherein the at least one AC power source comprises two reciprocating engines, comprising two diesel engines, each one energizing two 115V or 230 VAC generators which are each configured to further energize an AC/DC converter.

3. The electrical architecture according to claim 1, wherein the at least one AC power source comprises four reciprocating engines, preferably four diesel engines, each energizing a 115 VAC or 230 VAC generator which are each configured to further energize an AC/DC converter.

4. The electrical architecture according to claim 1, wherein the “n” number of AC/DC converters is four, the system comprising four AC/DC converters.

5. The electrical architecture according to claim 1, wherein the power distribution system comprises “n” number of AC/DC converters, each one comprising three additional outputs.

6. The electrical architecture according to claim 1, wherein each of the “(n−1)” electrical loads corresponding to one AC/DC converter are connected in an array.

7. The electrical architecture according to claim 6, wherein each array connecting the “(n−1)” electrical loads is supplied: with 87.5 kW if all the AC/DC converters are energized; or with 65 kW if any of the AC/DC converters is not energized.

8. The electrical architecture according to claim 1, wherein the “(n−1).Math.n” electrical loads are configured to operate at least at 270V Direct Current.

9. The electrical architecture according to claim 1, further comprising, switching means for switching connections in case of an AC/DC converter is not energized, and an electronic controller configured to activate/deactivate the switching means.

10. The electrical architecture according to claim 1, wherein the DC network, such as a radar antenna, comprising a plurality of electrical loads is housed in a weatherproof dome in the top of the aircraft.

11. A method for continuing supplying electrical power in an electrical architecture, being boarded on an aircraft, the electrical architecture comprising: a power distribution system; and a DC network; wherein the DC network comprises a plurality of electrical loads, and wherein the power distribution system comprises: a plurality of AC/DC converters configured to supply electrical power to the DC network, and at least one Alternating Current power source configured to energize the plurality of AC/DC converters, wherein the power distribution system further comprises, an “n” number of AC/DC converters, each one comprising an “(n−1)” number of first outputs and at least an additional output, the DC network further comprises: an “(n−1).Math.n” number of electrical loads, each “(n−1)” electrical loads corresponding to one AC/DC converter, wherein each electrical load comprises two inputs: a first input connected with a corresponding first output of the corresponding AC/DC converter, and a second input configured to be connected with any of the additional outputs of the AC/DC converters, wherein when one of the AC/DC converters is not energized, the method comprises the steps of: disconnecting the first outputs of the AC/DC converter not energized, being its corresponding “(n−1)” electrical load not energized thereby; and connecting the second input of each of the corresponding “(n−1)” electrical loads to an additional output of another AC/DC converter energized.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the DC network comprises a radar antenna.

13. An aircraft comprising the electrical architecture according to claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) These and other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become clearly understood in view of the detailed description of the invention which becomes apparent from a preferred embodiment of the invention, given just as an example and not being limited thereto, with reference to the drawings.

(2) FIGS. 1a-1b show schematic ordinary DC network in a normal mode.

(3) FIGS. 2a-2c show a schematic ordinary DC network in degraded modes.

(4) FIG. 3 shows a schematic power distribution system for a radar antenna according to the invention in a normal mode.

(5) FIGS. 4a-4b show a schematic power distribution system for a radar antenna according to the invention in a degraded mode.

(6) FIG. 4c shows a schematic power distribution system for a radar antenna according to the invention comprising all the possible variants in connections.

(7) FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of the method for continuing supplying electrical power in a power distribution system in a degraded mode according to the invention.

(8) FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of an aircraft comprising a power distribution system according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(9) Ordinary Radar Electrical Architecture (Radar DC Network)

(10) Firstly, it is to be noted that for illustrative purposes, only a radar electrical architecture, or radar DC network, will be described hereafter. Nevertheless, the DC network according to the invention may be also an anti-pollution system, electrical engines, an electrical system measurement (ESM), or the like. Therefore, the same electrical architecture or DC network described hereafter will also applies to the mentioned systems, indiscriminately.

(11) FIG. 1a shows a schematic ordinary radar electrical architecture, radar DC network, in a normal mode. As it was already mentioned, this mode takes place during aircraft operation, where all the components are full-operative, and the total minimum electrical requirement of power supplied is 350 kW.

(12) The electrical architecture shown in this figure comprises two reciprocating engines (1) for producing mechanical power, which preferably are Auxiliary Power Units (APUs) such as diesel engines. Then, the reciprocating engines (1) comprise gearboxes to directly connect each to two 115 VAC or 230 VAC generators (2) and convert the mechanical power into Alternating Current (AC) electrical power. Therefore, both the reciprocating engines (1) and the generators (2) will be understood as AC power sources.

(13) Additionally, each generator (2) comprises a Generator Control Unit (GCU) (2.1) for supervising its associated downstream AC generating channel by a mechanism for switching, by both removing or restoring the conducting path in a contactor (2.2) or switching means of the circuit.

(14) Throughout this entire document, a contactor will be understood as a switching means or an electrical component that can “make” or “break” an electrical circuit, interrupting the current (either AC or DC) or diverting it from one conductor to another Similar terms may be automatisms, circuit breakers, relays, or the like.

(15) After each contactor (2.2) or switching means of the generators (2), there is an AC bus (2.3) each of which is connected both with its paired AC bus (2.3) coming from the same reciprocating engine (1), and with another AC bus (2.3) coming from the other reciprocating engine (1). The connection between AC buses (2.3) is through switching means for paralleling them in the event of an upstream failure.

(16) As can be seen in FIG. 1a, each AC bus (2.3) is connected to an AC/DC converter (3); therefore each AC bus (2.3) works as a connection point between an AC/DC converter (3) and the AC power sources for energizing the AC/DC converter (3).

(17) Then, these AC/DC converters (3) feed a radar antenna (6) which further comprises a plurality of electrical loads (5) gathered into four discrete arrays (4) or DC buses. Therefore, each array (4) is fed by a single AC/DC converter (3) by an AC/DC contactor (3.3). In addition, the arrays (4) or DC buses comprise a switching means (4.1) connecting the arrays (4) paired, that is to say, those coming from the same reciprocating engine (1).

(18) FIG. 1b schematically shows a particular embodiment of the ordinary radar electrical architecture in a normal mode. The electrical architecture shown in this figure comprises a power plant subsystem, preferably formed by four reciprocating engines (1) for producing mechanical power, which preferably are Auxiliary Power Units (APUs) such as diesel engines. Then, the power plant subsystem is directly connected to four 115 VAC or 230 VAC generators (2). Preferably, each one of the four reciprocating engines (1) of the power plant subsystem comprises a gearbox to directly connect one generator (2) to each reciprocating engine. Therefore, both the reciprocating engines (1) and the generators (2) will be understood as AC power sources.

(19) Now that the ordinary radar electrical architecture has been explained in the normal mode, FIGS. 2a-2c show examples of degraded modes in the electrical architecture, also known as a DC network, of FIG. 1a.

(20) FIG. 2a shows the configuration of the electrical architecture if one reciprocating engine (1) has failed. In this situation, the contactors (2.2) of the generator (2) affected by the failed reciprocating engine (1) are opened in order to remove the conducting path.

(21) To solve the continuing supply of power to all the arrays (4) of the radar antenna (6), the AC buses (2.3) affected are connected in parallel with their non-paired AC buses (2.3), i.e. with the AC buses (2.3) coming from the operative reciprocating engine (1).

(22) FIG. 2b shows the configuration of the electrical architecture if one generator (2) has failed. In this situation, the contactor (2.2) of the generator (2) failed is opened in order to remove its conducting path.

(23) To solve the continuing supply of power, the AC bus (2.3) affected is connected in parallel with its paired AC bus (2.3).

(24) FIG. 2c shows the configuration of the electrical architecture if one AC/DC converter (3) has failed. In this situation, its AC/DC converter contactor (3.3) is opened in order to remove its conducting path towards the array (4).

(25) To solve the continuing supply of power, the array (4) affected is connected in parallel with its paired array (4).

(26) For illustrative purposes, only a limited number of references have been shown in the figures. Nevertheless, it can be easily deduced which reference corresponds to the features shown in the figures.

(27) Power distribution system (10) for a radar antenna (6)

(28) FIG. 3 shows a schematic power distribution system (10) for a radar antenna according to the invention in a normal mode. As it can be seen, FIG. 3 only shows the electrical architecture from the AC/DC converters (3), while the previous architecture, in a particular embodiment, is the same as that shown in FIG. 1a. In another particular embodiment, the electrical architecture from the AC/DC converters (3) is the same as that shown in FIG. 1b.

(29) According to the invention, the power distribution system (10) for a radar antenna (6) comprises:

(30) a plurality of AC/DC converters (3) for supplying electrical power to the electrical loads (5) of the radar antenna (6) gathered in arrays (4), and

(31) at least one AC power source (1, 2) for energizing the AC/DC converters (3) (not shown in this figure).

(32) Also, as it can be seen in FIG. 3, the power distribution system (10) comprises:

(33) an “n” number of AC/DC converters (3) being in this particular example “4”, comprising each one an “(n−1)” number of first outputs (3.1) and at least an additional output (3.2), and

(34) an “(n−1).Math.n” number of electrical loads (5) being in this particular example “12”, each “(n−1)” electrical loads (5) corresponding to one AC/DC converter (3).

(35) Besides, each electrical load (5), or DC bus connected to, comprises two inputs:

(36) a first input (5.1) connected with a corresponding first output (3.1) of the corresponding AC/DC converter (3); and

(37) a second input (5.2) disconnected.

(38) In this normal mode, each array (4) is energized with 87.5 kW and, because of the power distribution system comprises four arrays (4), 87.5 kW.Math.4arrays=350 kW which is the total minimum electrical requirement of power supplied in normal mode.

(39) Preferably, the connection between the AC/DC converter (3) and its corresponding electrical loads (5) is through a DC bus which comprises the first (5.1) and second (5.2) inputs. Then, the AC/DC converters (3) being connected directly to their corresponding electrical loads (5), or by DC buses will be understood as a similar configuration.

(40) Unlike the ordinary radar electrical architecture; the electrical loads (5) are not intended to be connected in parallel as prior art does by the switching means (4.1) between paired arrays.

(41) FIGS. 4a and 4b show different configurations of the electrical architecture in the event one AC/DC converter (3) has failed, the system being in a degraded mode.

(42) In this situation, to solve the continuing of power suppling, the two inputs of the corresponding or affected electrical loads (5) of the AC/DC converter (3) failed, are positioned as follows:

(43) the first input (5.1) disconnected; and

(44) a second input (5.2) connected with any of the additional outputs (3.2) of the AC/DC converters (3).

(45) As it can be seen, the electrical loads (5) of the AC/DC converter (3) not failed are fed or energized maintaining the configuration shown in FIG. 3, i.e., normal mode. However, the AC/DC converters (3) not failed each use their additional output (3.2) to support, in terms of electrical power, a particular electrical load (5) of the failed AC/DC converter (3).

(46) In other words, the power distribution system is configured to continue supplying electrical power to the radar antenna in case of an AC/DC converter (3) is not energized and therefore not supplying electrical power to its corresponding electrical loads (5), such that the second input (5.2) of such electrical load (5) is connected to any additional output (3.2) of another AC/DC converter (3), being the first input (5.1) disconnected.

(47) In this degraded mode, each array (4) is energized with 65 kW because the AC/DC converters are still fed with 87.5 kW, but they need to distribute among 4 electrical loads (5) instead of just their corresponding 3. Hence, 87.5 kW/4 electrical loads≈21.6 kW and as each array is made of 3 electrical loads (5), each array (4) is energized with 65 kW. Then, 65 kW.Math.4 arrays=260 kW which is the total minimum electrical requirement of power supplied in degraded mode.

(48) FIG. 4c shows schematically all the possible variants in connections of the additional output (3.2) of the AC/DC converters (3) to the electrical loads corresponding to other AC/DC converter (3). Therefore, any AC/DC converters (3) is able to support, feed or energize (understood as equivalent terms) an electrical load (5) corresponding to other AC/DC converter (3).

(49) For illustrative purposes, only a limit number of references have been shown in the figures. Nevertheless, it can be easily deduced which reference corresponds to the features shown in the figures.

(50) Method for continuing supplying electrical power

(51) FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of the method for continuing supplying electrical power in a power distribution system (10) according to the invention. In short, the power distribution system (10) has baseline architecture as that shown in FIG. 3, and once the system switches to a degraded mode, the method comprises the following steps:

(52) detecting which AC/DC converter (3) is not energized,

(53) disconnecting the first outputs (3.1) of the AC/DC converter (3) not energized; and

(54) connecting the second input (5.2) of each of its corresponding “(n−1)” electrical loads (5) to an additional output (3.2) of another AC/DC converter (3) energized.

(55) Aircraft comprising a power distribution system

(56) FIG. 6 show a schematic view of an aircraft comprising a power distribution system (10) for DC network, such as a radar antenna (6), according to the invention. As it can be seen, the radar antenna (6) comprising the plurality of electrical loads (5) gathered in arrays (4) is housed in a weatherproof dome in the top of the aircraft (11).

(57) While at least one exemplary embodiment of the present invention(s) is disclosed herein, it should be understood that modifications, substitutions and alternatives may be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art and can be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. This disclosure is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the exemplary embodiment(s). In addition, in this disclosure, the terms “comprise” or “comprising” do not exclude other elements or steps, the terms “a” or “one” do not exclude a plural number, and the term “or” means either or both. Furthermore, characteristics or steps which have been described may also be used in combination with other characteristics or steps and in any order unless the disclosure or context suggests otherwise. This disclosure hereby incorporates by reference the complete disclosure of any patent or application from which it claims benefit or priority.