SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AIRCRAFT POWER MANAGEMENT

• US 20160159497A1
• Filed: 12/04/2014
• Published: 06/09/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Zhou, Zhi, Joshi, Narendra Digamber, Zhou, Rui, Liao, Hongwei
• Granted Patent: US 10,202,206 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/227 for direct connection to aircraft, e.g. tow tractors without towing bars
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0013 with a ground station
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0021 located in the aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0026 located on the ground
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0078 for monitoring traffic from the aircraft radar or analogous systems specially adapted for traffic control G01S13/91
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0082 for monitoring traffic from a ground station radar or analogous systems specially adapted for traffic control G01S13/91
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/06 for control when on the ground
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/065 Navigation or guidance aids, e.g. for taxiing or rolling
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/80 Energy efficient operational measures, e.g. ground operations or mission management

Abstract

A method implemented using at least one of the processor includes disposing a power source on a vehicle, wherein the power source is configured to power auxiliary loads of the aircraft. The method also includes connecting a power source disposed on a vehicle configured to engage an aircraft for ground operation, to auxiliary loads of the aircraft via an on-board power system. The method also includes performing energy management of the aircraft during the period of ground operation. The method further includes disconnecting the power source when an alternate electrical power is available to the on-board power system.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a processor and a memory communicatively coupled to the processor via a communications link;

a power source provided in a vehicle, wherein the vehicle is configured to engage an aircraft for ground operation and the power source powers auxiliary loads of the aircraft and;

an energy management module communicatively coupled to the power source and that;

connects the power source to the auxiliary loads via an on-board power system;

performs energy management of the aircraft during the period of ground operation; and

disconnects the power source from the aircraft when an alternate energy source is available to the on-board power system.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a coupling module provided in the vehicle and that:

engages the vehicle to the aircraft before taxying; and

disengages the vehicle from the aircraft at the end of taxying.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the power source comprises a fossil fuel based power generator.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the power source comprises an electro chemical power source.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the power source comprises an electric power source.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the power source comprises a hybrid power source.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the power management module recovers energy during regenerative braking of the aircraft during taxying.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the energy management module generates power required for the auxiliary loads of the aircraft.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein energy management module:

transfers information between the power source and the on-board power system;

controls power generation from the power source; and

distributes power to the auxiliary loads of the aircraft.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the auxiliary loads comprise aircraft exterior lights, interior cabin lighting, air conditioning, communication, entertainment, instrumentation, monitoring and warning systems, and fuel gauges and pumps of the aircraft.

11. A method, comprising:

disposing a power source on a vehicle, wherein the power source is configured to power auxiliary loads of the aircraft;

connecting a power source disposed on a vehicle configured to engage an aircraft for ground operation, to auxiliary loads of the aircraft via an on-board power system;

performing energy management of the aircraft during the period of ground operation; and

disconnecting the power source when an alternate electrical power is available to the on-board power system.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein connecting comprises engaging the vehicle with the aircraft.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein connecting comprises generating power required for the auxiliary loads of the aircraft.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein generating uses fossil fuels to generate power.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein generating uses electro chemical power source to generate power.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein generating uses an electric power source to generate power.

17. The method of claim 13 wherein generating uses hybrid power source to generate power.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein performing energy management comprises transferring information between the power source and the on-board power system.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein performing energy management comprises controlling the amount of power generated by the power source.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein performing energy management comprises distributing power to the auxiliary loads of the aircraft.

21. The method of claim 11, wherein performing energy management comprises harvesting power from regenerative braking of the aircraft during taxying.

22. The method of claim 11, performing energy management comprises providing power to aircraft exterior lights, the cabin lighting system, air-conditioning system of the aircraft, communication and entertainment systems of the aircraft, aircraft instrumentation, monitoring and warning systems, and fuel gauges and pumps of the aircraft.