System and method for energy capture and distribution
First Claim
1. A system comprising:
- at least one actuator coupled to a control device configured to apply a force related to operation of a vehicle;
a bus configured to provide power to the at least one actuator;
an actuator control system comprising a buck-boost circuit, wherein the actuator control system is configured to;
receive the power from a power source via the bus and direct the power to the at least one actuator;
monitor an actuator power level;
direct excess power generated by the at least one actuator to an energy storage device when the actuator power level exceeds an anticipated power level, wherein the buck-boost circuit is configured to control directing of the excess power from the at least one actuator to the energy storage device; and
draw supplemental power from the energy storage device and direct the supplemental power to the bus when the actuator power level is less than the anticipated power level.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods are provided for capturing and using power generated by the application of an external force or by an inertial force on a vehicle control device that back-drive or forward-drive an actuator coupled to the control device. An actuator is coupled to a control device configured to apply a force related to operation of a vehicle. A bus is configured to conduct power to the actuator. An actuator control system is configured to receive power from a power source via an electrical bus and direct the power to the actuator. The actuator control system is also configured to monitor an actuator power level to determine when the actuator power level does not meet an anticipated power level. When the actuator power level exceeds the anticipated power level, the excess power generated is directed to an energy storage device. When the actuator power level is less than the anticipated power level, supplemental power is distributed from the energy storage device to the bus.
27 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system comprising:
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at least one actuator coupled to a control device configured to apply a force related to operation of a vehicle; a bus configured to provide power to the at least one actuator; an actuator control system comprising a buck-boost circuit, wherein the actuator control system is configured to; receive the power from a power source via the bus and direct the power to the at least one actuator; monitor an actuator power level; direct excess power generated by the at least one actuator to an energy storage device when the actuator power level exceeds an anticipated power level, wherein the buck-boost circuit is configured to control directing of the excess power from the at least one actuator to the energy storage device; and draw supplemental power from the energy storage device and direct the supplemental power to the bus when the actuator power level is less than the anticipated power level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A system comprising:
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at least one actuator coupled to a control device of an aircraft and configured to; apply a mechanical force to the control device in response to receiving input power; and generate produced power in response to application of a nongenerated force upon the control device; and an actuator control system comprising a buck-boost circuit, wherein the actuator control system is configured to; distribute the input power from a power source to the at least one actuator; and receive the produced power from the at least one actuator and direct the produced power to an energy storage device, wherein the buck-boost circuit is configured to control directing of the produced power from the at least one actuator to the energy storage device. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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19. A method comprising:
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coupling a power source via a bus to an actuator, the actuator configured to manipulate a control device of a vehicle; coupling an energy storage device to receive excess power from the bus, wherein the excess power is generated by the actuator in response to application of a nongenerated mechanical force upon the control device coupled to the actuator; monitoring an actuator power level; when the actuator power level exceeds an anticipated power level, directing the excess power to the energy storage device; and controlling, via a buck-boost circuit, directing of the excess power from the actuator to the energy storage device. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification