Method and system for adaptive power management

• US 20080058998A1
• Filed: 08/29/2006
• Published: 03/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Breit, Joseph S.
• Granted Patent: US 8,209,101 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/295
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 1/10 Parallel operation of dc sources
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2300/30 The power source being a fuel cell
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/44 for aircrafts
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/14 by switching loads on to, or off from, network, e.g. progressively balanced loading

Abstract

In a non-limiting, exemplary embodiment, electrical power is adaptively managed. A profile of predetermined threshold levels of electrical loading is developed for phases of an operation. A profile of electrical loading is developed for the phases of the operation such that electrical loading is substantially a same predetermined margin below the predetermined threshold levels during the phases of the operation. During the phases of the operation, operational data indicative of an electrical power generation system'"'"'s actual ability to support electrical loading and/or actual electrical loading is received. The profile of the predetermined threshold levels and/or the profile of electrical loading is adjusted responsive to the operational data such that electrical loading is maintained substantially the same predetermined margin below the predetermined threshold levels during the phases of the operation.

Claims

1. A method for adaptively managing electrical power, the method comprising:

developing a profile of a plurality of predetermined threshold levels of electrical loading for a plurality of phases of an operation;

developing a profile of electrical loading for the plurality of phases of the operation such that electrical loading is substantially a same predetermined margin below the predetermined threshold levels during the plurality of phases of the operation;

receiving operational data during the plurality of phases of the operation indicative of at least one parameter chosen from an electrical power generation system'"'"'s actual ability to support electrical loading and actual electrical loading; and

adjusting at least one profile chosen from the profile of the plurality of predetermined threshold levels and the profile of electrical loading responsive to the operational data such that electrical loading is maintained substantially the same predetermined margin below the predetermined threshold levels during the plurality of phases of the operation.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

comparing the profile of the plurality of predetermined threshold levels and the profile of electrical loading during the plurality of phases of the operation; and

adjusting at least one profile chosen from the profile of the plurality of predetermined threshold levels and the profile of electrical loading responsive to the comparison such that electrical loading is maintained substantially the same predetermined margin below the predetermined threshold levels during the plurality of phases of the operation.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein developing the profile of the plurality of predetermined threshold levels includes:

determining an initial threshold level above which electrical load is not to be added to an electrical power generation system;

analyzing when in the operation the initial threshold level will be reached;

establishing threshold levels below the initial threshold level when the initial threshold level will not be reached; and

establishing threshold levels above the initial threshold level when the initial threshold level will be reached.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein developing the profile of electrical loading includes:

dividing each of the plurality of phases of the operation into a plurality of time periods; and

sequencing electrical loads for a phase of the operation among the plurality of the time periods for the phase of the operation such that electrical loading is substantially equalized for all of the time periods of the phase of the operation.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein sequencing the electrical loads includes:

scheduling a first electrical load to operate at its maximum electrical loading level in one of the plurality of time periods of a phase of the operation; and

scheduling a second electrical load to operate at its maximum electrical loading level in another of the plurality of time periods of the phase of the operation.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein electrical loading during the phase of the operation is minimized.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the operation includes an aircraft flight; and

the plurality of phases of the operation include gate, start, taxi from gate, climb, cruise, descent, and taxi to gate.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein developing the profile of the plurality of predetermined threshold levels includes:

determining an initial threshold level above which electrical load is not to be added to an electrical power generation system;

determining when in the flight the initial threshold level will be reached;

establishing threshold levels below the initial threshold level when the initial threshold level will not be reached; and

establishing threshold levels above the initial threshold level when the initial threshold level will be reached.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein:

threshold levels are established below the initial threshold level during gate, start, taxi from gate, descent, and taxi to gate phases; and

threshold levels are established above the initial threshold level during climb and cruise phases.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein determining when in the flight the initial threshold level will be reached analyzes a flight plan.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein determining when in the flight the initial threshold level will be reached analyzes historical electrical loading data.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein operational data indicative of an electrical power generation system'"'"'s actual ability to support electrical loading is received from an electronic engine control system.

13. The method of claim 7, wherein operational data indicative of actual electrical loading is received from at least one load controller.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the load controller includes a controller chosen from a motor controller and a solid state power controller.

15. A system for adaptively managing electrical power, the method system comprising:

a first input interface configured to receive data regarding an operation plan, the operation including a plurality of phases;

a second input interface configured to receive, during the plurality of phases of the operation, operational data indicative of an electrical power generation system'"'"'s actual ability to support electrical loading;

an input/output interface configured to receive, during the plurality of phases of the operation, operational data indicative of actual electrical loading; and

a processor including;

a first processing component configured to develop a profile of a plurality of predetermined threshold levels of electrical loading for a plurality of phases of an operation;

a second processing component configured to develop a profile of electrical loading for the plurality of phases of the operation such that electrical loading is substantially a same predetermined margin below the predetermined threshold levels during the plurality of phases of the operation; and

a third processing component configured to adjust at least one profile chosen from the profile of the plurality of predetermined threshold levels and the profile of electrical loading responsive to the operational data such that electrical loading is maintained substantially the same predetermined margin below the predetermined threshold levels during the plurality of phases of the operation.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the first processing component is further configured to:

determine an initial threshold level above which electrical load is not to be added to an electrical power generation system;

analyze when in the operation the initial threshold level will be reached;

establish threshold levels below the initial threshold level when the initial threshold level will not be reached; and

establish threshold levels above the initial threshold level when the initial threshold level will be reached.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the second processing component is further configured to:

divide each of the plurality of phases of the operation into a plurality of time periods; and

sequence electrical loads for a phase of the operation among the plurality of the time periods for the phase of the operation such that electrical loading is substantially equalized for all of the time periods of the phase of the operation.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the second processing component is further configured to:

schedule a first electrical load to operate at its maximum electrical loading level in one of the plurality of time periods of a phase of the operation; and

schedule a second electrical load to operate at its maximum electrical loading level in another of the plurality of time periods of the phase of the operation.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein:

the operation includes an aircraft flight; and

the plurality of phases of the operation include gate, start, taxi from gate, climb, cruise, descent, and taxi to gate.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein:

the first input interface is configured to receive data regarding a flight plan from a flight management system;

the second input interface is configured to receive data from an electronic engine control system; and

the input/output interface is configured to receive data from at least one load controller.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the load controller includes a controller chosen from a motor controller and a solid state power controller.

22. The system of claim 20, wherein the input/output interface is further configured to provide control data to the load controller for controlling at least one load.

23. A method for adaptively managing electrical power on an aircraft, the method comprising:

developing a profile of a plurality of predetermined threshold levels of electrical loading for a plurality of phases of a flight of an aircraft by analyzing at least one source of information chosen from a flight plan and historical electrical loading data, the plurality of phases of the flight including gate, start, taxi from gate, climb, cruise, descent, and taxi to gate;

developing a profile of electrical loading for the plurality of phases of the flight such that electrical loading is substantially a same predetermined margin below the predetermined threshold levels during the plurality of phases of the operation;

receiving in-flight data during the plurality of phases of the flight indicative of at least one parameter chosen from an aircraft'"'"'s electrical power generation system'"'"'s actual ability to support electrical loading and actual electrical loading, the in-flight data being received from at least one data source chosen from an electronic engine control system and a load controller; and

adjusting at least one profile chosen from the profile of the plurality of predetermined threshold levels and the profile of electrical loading responsive to the in-flight data such that electrical loading is maintained substantially the same predetermined margin below the predetermined threshold levels during the plurality of phases of the operation.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

comparing the profile of the plurality of predetermined threshold levels and the profile of electrical loading during the plurality of phases of the flight; and

adjusting at least one profile chosen from the profile of the plurality of predetermined threshold levels and the profile of electrical loading responsive to the comparison such that electrical loading is maintained substantially the same predetermined margin below the predetermined threshold levels during the plurality of phases of the flight.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein developing the profile of the plurality of predetermined threshold levels includes:

determining an initial threshold level above which electrical load is not to be added to the aircraft'"'"'s electrical power generation system;

analyzing when in the flight the initial threshold level will be reached;

establishing threshold levels below the initial threshold level when the initial threshold level will not be reached; and

establishing threshold levels above the initial threshold level when the initial threshold level will be reached.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein developing the profile of electrical loading includes:

dividing each of the plurality of phases of the flight into a plurality of time periods; and

sequencing electrical loads for a phase of the flight among the plurality of the time periods for the phase of the flight such that electrical loading is substantially equalized for all of the time periods of the phase of the flight.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein sequencing the electrical loads includes:

scheduling a first electrical load to operate at its maximum electrical loading level in one of the plurality of time periods of a phase of the flight; and

scheduling a second electrical load to operate at its maximum electrical loading level in another of the plurality of time periods of the phase of the flight.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein electrical loading during the phase of the operation is minimized.

29. The method of claim 23, wherein developing the profile of the plurality of predetermined threshold levels includes:

determining an initial threshold level above which electrical load is not to be added to the aircraft'"'"'s electrical power generation system;

determining when in the flight the initial threshold level will be reached;

establishing threshold levels below the initial threshold level when the initial threshold level will not be reached; and

establishing threshold levels above the initial threshold level when the initial threshold level will be reached.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein:

threshold levels are established below the initial threshold level during gate, start, taxi from gate, descent, and taxi to gate phases; and

threshold levels are established above the initial threshold level during climb and cruise phases.

31. A system for adaptively managing electrical power on an aircraft, the method system comprising:

a first input interface configured to receive planning data regarding a flight, the flight including a plurality of phases including gate, start, taxi from gate, climb, cruise, descent, and taxi to gate, the planning data including at least one data set chosen from a flight plan and historical electrical loading data;

a second input interface configured to receive from an electronic engine control system, during the plurality of phases of the flight, in-flight data indicative of an aircraft'"'"'s electrical power generation system'"'"'s actual ability to support electrical loading;

an input/output interface configured to receive from at least one load controller, during the plurality of phases of the flight, in-flight data indicative of actual electrical loading; and

a processor including;

a first processing component configured to develop a profile of a plurality of predetermined threshold levels of electrical loading for a plurality of phases of the flight;

a second processing component configured to develop a profile of electrical loading for the plurality of phases of the flight such that electrical loading is substantially a same predetermined margin below the predetermined threshold levels during the plurality of phases of the flight; and

a third processing component configured to adjust at least one profile chosen from the profile of the plurality of predetermined threshold levels and the profile of electrical loading responsive to the in-flight data such that electrical loading is maintained substantially the same predetermined margin below the predetermined threshold levels during the plurality of phases of the flight.

32. The system of claim 31, wherein the first processing component is further configured to:

determine an initial threshold level above which electrical load is not to be added to the aircraft'"'"'s electrical power generation system;

analyze when in the flight the initial threshold level will be reached;

establish threshold levels below the initial threshold level when the initial threshold level will not be reached; and

establish threshold levels above the initial threshold level when the initial threshold level will be reached.

33. The system of claim 31, wherein the second processing component is further configured to:

divide each of the plurality of phases of the flight into a plurality of time periods; and

sequence electrical loads for a phase of the flight among the plurality of the time periods for the phase of the operation such that electrical loading is substantially equalized for all of the time periods of the phase of the flight.

34. The system of claim 33, wherein the second processing component is further configured to:

schedule a first electrical load to operate at its maximum electrical loading level in one of the plurality of time periods of a phase of the flight; and

schedule a second electrical load to operate at its maximum electrical loading level in another of the plurality of time periods of the phase of the flight.

35. The system of claim 31, wherein the load controller includes a controller chosen from a motor controller and a solid state power controller.

36. The system of claim 35, wherein the input/output interface is further configured to provide control data to the load controller for controlling at least one load.

37. A method for adaptively managing electrical power, the method comprising:

developing a profile of a plurality of predetermined threshold levels of electrical loading for a plurality of phases of an operation;

developing a profile of electrical loading for the plurality of phases of the operation such that electrical loading is substantially a same predetermined margin below the predetermined threshold levels during the plurality of phases of the operation;

receiving operational data during the plurality of phases of the operation indicative of an electrical power generation system'"'"'s actual ability to support electrical loading and actual electrical loading; and

comparing the operational data during the plurality of phases of the operation indicative of the electrical power generation system'"'"'s actual ability to support electrical loading with the operational data indicative of actual electrical loading.

38. The method of claim 37, further comprising using stored power to power electrical loading when actual electrical loading is greater than the electrical power generation system'"'"'s actual ability to support electrical loading.

39. The method of claim 37, further comprising storing power when actual electrical loading is less than the electrical power generation system'"'"'s actual ability to support electrical loading.

40. A system for adaptively managing electrical power, the method system comprising:

a power storage device;

a first input interface configured to receive data regarding an operation plan, the operation including a plurality of phases;

a second input interface configured to receive, during the plurality of phases of the operation, operational data indicative of an electrical power generation system'"'"'s actual ability to support electrical loading;

an input/output interface configured to receive, during the plurality of phases of the operation, operational data indicative of actual electrical loading; and

a processor including;

a first processing component configured to develop a profile of a plurality of predetermined threshold levels of electrical loading for a plurality of phases of an operation;

a second processing component configured to develop a profile of electrical loading for the plurality of phases of the operation such that electrical loading is substantially a same predetermined margin below the predetermined threshold levels during the plurality of phases of the operation; and

a third processing component configured to compare the operational data during the plurality of phases of the operation indicative of the electrical power generation system'"'"'s actual ability to support electrical loading with the operational data indicative of actual electrical loading.

41. The system of claim 40, wherein the third processing component is further configured to cause the stored power device to use stored power to power electrical loading when actual electrical loading is greater than the electrical power generation system'"'"'s actual ability to support electrical loading.

42. The system of claim 40, wherein the third processing component is further configured to cause the stored power device to store power when actual electrical loading is less than the electrical power generation system'"'"'s actual ability to support electrical loading.