BATTERY NETWORK SYSTEM WITH LIFE-OPTIMAL POWER MANAGEMENT AND OPERATING METHODS THEREOF

• US 20080306637A1
• Filed: 06/05/2007
• Published: 12/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Vian, John L., Borumand, Mori M., Mansouri, Ali R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,010,250 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/3
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 2221/00 Electric power distribution systems onboard aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 1/14 Balancing the load in a network
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/44 for aircrafts
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 4/00 Circuit arrangements for mains or distribution networks not specified as ac or dc
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0048 Detection of remaining charge capacity or state of charge [SOC]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/005 Detection of state of health [SOH]

Abstract

A system and methods for life optimal power management of a distributed or centralized battery network system for use in aircraft functions and subsystems are disclosed. The method determines power priority of the subsystems, and selectively distributes power from the battery network system to the subsystems based on the power priority. Concurrently with distributing power, the method manages the energy in the battery network system. To determine whether the battery power is sufficient for aircraft functions, the method also computes and indicates the actual available energy left in the battery network systems. With this approach, the system and methods can provide a persistent power supply in the event an unexpected battery failure occurs, thereby enabling the aircraft to safely maintain flight operability despite a battery failure.

Claims

1. A method for power management for an aircraft having a plurality of subsystems and a plurality of electrical energy storage devices, the method comprising:

determining a power priority for each of the subsystems;

distributing power selectively from the electrical energy storage devices to the subsystems based on the power priority for each of the subsystems; and

controlling health of the electrical energy storage devices, concurrently with selectively distributing power, based on a plurality of operating status parameters of the electrical energy storage devices.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the power priority is based on:

a specific function of each of the subsystems;

a sequence of operation of the subsystems; and

a forecasted power requirement for operating each of the subsystems.

3. The method according claim 1, wherein the distributing power selectively step further comprises:

allocating the electrical energy storage devices based on their respective capability to supply power to the subsystems; and

providing power from the electrical energy storage devices to the subsystems in response to the allocating step and in response to the power priority for each of the subsystems.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the controlling step further comprises:

monitoring the operating status parameters of the electrical energy storage devices;

charging/discharging selectively the electrical energy storage devices based on the operating status parameters;

computing available energy in each of the electrical energy storage devices based on the operating status parameters to obtain a computed available energy; and

indicating the computed available energy.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the operating status parameters comprise:

a charging/discharging rate for each of the electrical energy storage devices;

a relative discharging rate for each of the electrical energy storage devices; and

a remaining life for each of the electrical energy storage devices.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the electrical energy storage devices are arranged in a distributed network architecture.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the electrical energy storage devices are arranged in a centrally located network architecture.

8. A power management system for an aircraft having a plurality of subsystems, the system comprising:

a plurality of electrical energy storage devices having associated operating status parameters;

a power distribution module coupled to the electrical energy storage devices, the power distribution module being configured to;

determine a power priority for each of the subsystems; and

selectively distribute power from the electrical energy storage devices to the subsystems based on the power priority for each of the subsystems; and

an energy source management module coupled to the electrical energy storage devices, the energy source management module being configured to manage health of the electrical energy storage devices based on the operating status parameters of the electrical energy storage devices.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein the power distribution module is further configured to:

allocate the electrical energy storage devices based on which have sufficient capacity to supply power to the subsystems; and

provide power from the electrical energy storage devices to the subsystems in response to the allocating step and in response to the power priority for each of the subsystems.

10. The system according to claim 8, wherein the power priority being based on:

a specific function of each of the subsystems;

a sequence of operation of the subsystems; and

a forecasted power requirement for operating each of the subsystems.

11. The system according to claim 8, wherein the energy source management module is further configured to:

monitor the operating status parameters of the electrical energy storage devices;

selectively charge/discharge the electrical energy storage devices based on the operating status parameters;

compute available energy in the electrical energy storage devices based on the operating status parameters to obtain a remaining energy; and

indicate the remaining energy.

12. The system according to claim 8, wherein the operating status parameters comprise:

a charging/discharging rate for each of the electrical energy storage devices;

a relative discharging rate for each of the electrical energy storage devices; and

a remaining life for each of the electrical energy storage devices.

13. The system according to claim 8, wherein the electrical energy storage devices are arranged in a centrally located network architecture.

14. The system according to claim 8, wherein the electrical energy storage devices are arranged in a distributed network architecture.

15. The system according to claim 8, wherein the electrical energy storage devices comprise a plurality of batteries.

16. A method for power management for an aircraft, wherein the aircraft has subsystems and a plurality of batteries coupled to the subsystems, the method comprising:

determining a plurality of first parameters related to functional criticality of the subsystems;

determining power priority of the subsystems, the power priority being based on the first parameters;

selectively tasking the batteries to provide power to the subsystems, the tasking being based on the power priority of the subsystems.

monitoring a plurality of second parameters related to operating status of each of batteries;

charging/discharging selectively the batteries in response to the second parameters;

computing, based on the second parameters, available energy in the batteries; and

indicating the available energy.

17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising allocating a battery to supply power to the subsystems based on health and capacity of the battery.

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein the first parameters indicate:

a specific function of each of the subsystems;

a sequence of operation of the subsystems; and

a forecasted power requirement for operating each of the subsystems.

19. The method according to claim 16, wherein the second parameters indicate:

a charging/discharging rate for each of the electrical energy storage devices;

a relative discharging rate for each of the electrical energy storage devices; and

a remaining life for each of the electrical energy storage devices.

20. The method according to claim 16, wherein the batteries are arranged in a network architecture.