SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUS FOR AN EMERGENCY POWER GENERATOR

• US 20150091375A1
• Filed: 10/02/2013
• Published: 04/02/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Mackin, Steve
• Granted Patent: US 9,452,721 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/9.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/03 for supply of electrical power to vehicle subsystems or for circuit arrangements for charging batteries H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: F03B 9/005 with buckets receiving the liquid
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 5/02 the wind-engaging parts being attached to endless chains or the like
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/20 Hydro energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/70 Wind energy

Abstract

Systems, methods, and apparatus are disclosed for generating power for a vehicle. A power generator may include a first loop configured to be deployed from a portion of a vehicle. The power generator also includes a first plurality of resistive devices coupled to the first loop, at least one resistive device of the first plurality of resistive devices being configured to transfer a force to the first loop. The power generator may also include a pulley coupled to the first loop, the pulley being configured to receive the force transferred to the first loop, and the pulley being further configured to rotate in response to receiving the force from the first loop. The power generator may also include a generator coupled to the pulley, the generator being coupled to an electrical system, and the generator being configured to deliver power to the electrical system in response to the pulley rotating.

Claims

1. An apparatus for generating power, the apparatus comprising:

a first loop configured to be deployed from a portion of a vehicle;

a first plurality of resistive devices coupled to the first loop, at least one resistive device of the first plurality of resistive devices being configured to transfer a force to the first loop, the force being generated based on an aerodynamic drag associated with the at least one resistive device;

a pulley coupled to the first loop, the pulley being configured to receive the force transferred to the first loop, and the pulley being further configured to rotate in response to receiving the force from the first loop; and

a generator coupled to the pulley, the generator being coupled to an electrical system, and the generator being further configured to deliver power to the electrical system in response to the pulley rotating.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each resistive device of the first plurality of resistive devices is a parachute.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first plurality of resistive devices is configured to generate 1000 pounds of force, and wherein the generator is configured to generate 60 kilowatts.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each resistive device of the first plurality of resistive devices is a pocket coupled to the first loop.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each resistive device of the first plurality of resistive devices is configured to toggle between a first configuration and a second configuration in response, at least in part, to a rotation of the first loop.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein each resistive device of the first plurality of resistive devices is configured to generate at least a portion of the force when in the first configuration, and further configured to generate no force when in the second configuration.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a gearing mechanism configured to couple the pulley to the generator.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a locking mechanism, the locking mechanism being configured to prevent a rotation of the first loop, the first plurality of resistive devices being configured to operate as a drag chute in response to the locking mechanism preventing the rotation of the first loop.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the generator is located along a centerline of a portion of an airplane.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a second loop coupled to the pulley; and

a second plurality of resistive devices coupled to the second loop,

wherein the first loop is configured to generate a first amount of power for a first set of vehicle systems, and wherein the second loop is configured to generate a second amount of power for a second set of vehicle systems.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the generator is configured to provide the first amount of power to a vehicle'"'"'s high power systems during low altitude operation, and wherein the generator is further configured to provide the second amount of power to a vehicle'"'"'s low power systems during high altitude operation.

12. A method for generating power, the method comprising:

deploying a loop from a portion of a vehicle, the loop being coupled to a plurality of resistive devices;

generating a force based on an aerodynamic drag associated with the at least one resistive device of the plurality of resistive devices;

transferring the force to the loop, the transferring causing the loop to rotate;

receiving, at a pulley coupled to the loop, the force transferred to the loop, the receiving causing the pulley to rotate; and

generating, at a power generator coupled to the pulley, power in response to rotating the pulley.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein each resistive device of the plurality of resistive devices is a pocket coupled to the loop.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein each resistive device of the plurality of resistive devices is a parachute, wherein the plurality of resistive devices generates 1000 pounds of force, and wherein the generator generates 60 kilowatts.

15. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

generating a first signal, the first signal indicating that the loop has been deployed; and

generating a second signal, the second signal providing data about an operation of one or more of the loop, pulley, and generator.

16. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

locking, using a locking mechanism, the pulley and loop, wherein the locking prevents the rotation of the pulley and loop; and

generating, using at least one resistive device of the plurality of resistive devices, reverse thrust.

17. A system for generating power for an airplane, the system comprising:

the airplane having a rear portion;

a loop configured to be deployed from the rear portion of the airplane;

a plurality of resistive devices coupled to the loop, at least one resistive device of the plurality of resistive devices being configured to transfer a force to the loop, the force being generated based on an aerodynamic drag associated with the at least one resistive device;

a pulley coupled to the loop, the pulley being configured to receive the force transferred to the loop, and the pulley being further configured to rotate in response to receiving the force from the loop; and

a generator coupled to the pulley, the generator being further coupled to an electrical system, and the generator being configured to deliver power to the electrical system in response to the pulley rotating.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein each resistive device of the plurality of resistive devices is a parachute, wherein the plurality of resistive devices is configured to generate 1000 pounds of force, and wherein the generator is configured to generate 60 kilowatts.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein each resistive device of the plurality of resistive devices is a pocket coupled to the loop.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein each resistive device of the plurality of resistive devices is configured to toggle between a first configuration and a second configuration in response, at least in part, to a rotation of the loop, and wherein each resistive device of the plurality of resistive devices is configured to generate at least some of the force when in the first configuration, and further configured to generate no force wherein the second configuration.