SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ENERGY CAPTURE AND DISTRIBUTION

• US 20120181856A1
• Filed: 03/23/2012
• Published: 07/19/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Sheahan, James J. Jr., Omohundro, Thomas W., Peck, James L. Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 8,614,555 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/9.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/14 for vehicles propelled by ac motors
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/1438 in combination with power supplies for loads other than batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/34 Parallel operation in networks using both storage and other dc sources, e.g. providing buffering H02J7/14 takes precedence

Abstract

An actuator control system includes a controller and a buck-boost circuit. The controller is configured to direct power from a power source to an actuator. The actuator is coupled to a control device to apply a force related to operation of a vehicle. The buck-boost circuit is configured to direct excess power generated by the actuator to an energy storage device when an actuator power level satisfies an anticipated power level.

Claims

1. An actuator control system comprising:

a controller configured to direct power from a power source to an actuator, wherein the actuator is coupled to a control device to apply a force related to operation of a vehicle; and

a buck-boost circuit configured to direct excess power generated by the actuator to an energy storage device when an actuator power level satisfies an anticipated power level.

2. The actuator control system of claim 1, wherein the buck-boost circuit includes an inductor and a diode, wherein the inductor is coupled in series with the diode, and wherein the diode is coupled to a positive terminal of the energy storage device.

3. The actuator control system of claim 1, wherein the controller includes a network of transistor nodes and wherein each transistor node includes an integrated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) and a reverse current diode.

4. The actuator control system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle includes one of an aircraft, a ground vehicle, and a water craft.

5. The actuator control system of claim 1, further comprising:

a first filter coupled to the controller and configured to receive the power from the power source via a bus;

a blocking diode positioned between the controller and the first filter;

a converter having an input coupled to the energy storage device; and

a second filter coupled to an output of the converter.

6. The actuator control system of claim 1, wherein the buck-boost circuit includes a switch that is coupled to a relative ground, wherein energy is accumulated at the energy storage device when the switch is open, and wherein energy is drawn from the energy storage device when the switch is closed.

7. The actuator control system of claim 6, wherein the switch includes a transistor.

8. The actuator control system of claim 7, wherein an output of the buck-boost circuit is based on a duty cycle of the transistor switching between an open position and a closed position.

9. A method comprising:

directing power from a power source to an actuator, wherein the actuator is coupled to a control device to apply a force related to operation of a vehicle; and

directing excess power generated by the actuator to an energy storage device via a buck-boost circuit when an actuator power level satisfies an anticipated power level.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising drawing supplemental power from the energy storage device to a bus via the buck-boost circuit.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

receive the power from the power source via a bus; and

monitoring the actuator power level.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the actuator uses the power to manipulate the control device to direct the operation of the vehicle and wherein the actuator includes at least one of a motor, a pneumatic cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, and a shape memory alloy linkage.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the power source includes at least one of a generator, a battery, and a fuel cell.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the energy storage device includes at least one of a chemical storage device, an electrochemical storage device, a lithium ion battery, an electric double-layer capacitor, and a flywheel.

15. An actuator control system comprising:

means for directing power from a power source to an actuator, wherein the actuator is coupled to a control device to apply a force related to operation of a vehicle; and

a buck-boost circuit configured to direct excess power generated by the actuator to an energy storage device when an actuator power level satisfies an anticipated power level.

16. The actuator control system of claim 15, wherein the means for directing includes one of a microprocessor and a network of transistor nodes.

17. The actuator control system of claim 15, wherein the control device includes at least one of a motor, a fan, an aileron, a flap, a rudder, a slat, a stabilator, a flaperon, a steering linkage, a shock absorber, and a sail.

18. The actuator control system of claim 15, wherein the means for directing includes means for generating a plurality of communication pulses that are applied to the actuator.

19. The actuator control system of claim 18, wherein the excess power is directed to the energy storage device during an interval between consecutive communication pulses of the plurality of communication pulses.

20. The actuator control system of claim 18, wherein each communication pulse of the plurality of communication pulses is modulated using pulse width modulation.