Electric accumulator utilizing an ultra-capacitor array
Disclosed is an electric accumulator for selectively operating at least one aircraft device. The electric accumulator includes an ultra-capacitor array for storing electrical energy, which can later be used to power an aircraft device. The stored electrical energy can also be used as a source of emergency backup power. The distribution of the electrical energy is controlled by a power distribution controller. The electric accumulator may be charged by a power source on an aircraft, or it may be pre-charged by an external power source.
1. An electric accumulator for selectively operating an aircraft device, comprising:
an ultra-capacitor for storing electrical energy;
an input connector configured to couple the ultra-capacitor to a power source;
an output connector configured to couple both the ultra-capacitor and the power source to the aircraft device; and
a power distribution controller operatively connected to the input connector and the output connector for controlling the flow of electrical energy to and from the ultra-capacitor, the power distribution controller configured to:
determine power demand on the power source;
selectively close the input connector to charge the ultra-capacitor by allowing electrical energy to flow into the ultra-capacitor if the power demand is low;
selectively open the input connector to restrict electrical energy from flowing into the ultra-capacitor if the power demand is high; and
selectively close the output connector to power the aircraft device using the electrical energy from both the ultra-capacitor and the power source by allowing it to flow to the aircraft device.
2. The electric accumulator of claim 1 further comprising at least one additional ultra-capacitor for storing electrical energy, the at least one additional ultra-capacitor arrayed in series with the ultra-capacitor for increasing the voltage of the electric accumulator.
3. The electric accumulator of claim 1 further comprising at least one additional ultra-capacitor for storing electrical energy, the at least one additional ultra-capacitor arrayed in parallel with the ultra-capacitor for increasing the power output of the electric accumulator.
4. The electric accumulator of claim 1 wherein the aircraft device is an electrical or electro-mechanical load device which is at least partially operable by electrical energy.
5. The electric accumulator of claim 1 wherein the aircraft device is selected from the group consisting of a landing gear device, an uplock, a landing gear actuator, a steering system and a braking system.
6. The electric accumulator of claim 1 , further comprising at least one second aircraft device, the at least one second aircraft device connected to the ultra-capacitor, the ultra-capacitor providing stored electrical energy to the at least one second aircraft device for powering the aircraft device.
7. The electric accumulator of claim 1 wherein the power source is the aircraft electrical supply.
8. The electric accumulator of claim 1 wherein the power source is an external power supply.
9. The electric accumulator of claim 1 wherein the aircraft device receives all of its required power from the electric accumulator.
10. The electric accumulator of claim 1 further comprising a diode operatively connected to the ultra-capacitor, the diode for blocking electric current from flowing from the ultra-capacitor to the power source.
11. The electric accumulator of claim 1 further comprising a second diode operatively connected to the ultra-capacitor, the second diode for blocking electric current from flowing into the ultra-capacitor from the output connection.
12. The electric accumulator of claim 10 , the power distribution controller for selectively allowing electrical energy to flow back into the power supply.