IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,014,680
Granted Patent B2
US 11,014,680 · App. 15/871,066 · Granted May 25, 2021

Power supply and distribution device for solar-powered aircraft

Inventors: Kangwen Sun (Beijing, CN); Ming Zhu (Beijing, CN); Jiaqi Dong (Beijing, CN); Haoquan Liang (Beijing, CN); Mou Sun (Beijing, CN); Lifeng Shi (Beijing, CN)
Assignee: Beihang University
B64D27/02B64D27/24H02J3/381H02J7/34H02J7/35H02M3/33584H02S10/40H02S40/30B64D2211/00H02J2300/24H02J2310/44Y02T50/50
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,014,680
App. No.
15/871,066
Granted
May 25, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

A power supply and distribution device for solar-powered aircraft includes at least two power supply and distribution sub-systems having same configurations. A disconnection of an electrical connection between a plurality of components of each power supply and distribution sub-system can be controlled through a first switch. An electrical connection between the same components of the power supply and distribution sub-systems can be established by controlling a second switch. The power supply and distribution device for solar-powered aircraft has a centralized-distribution design. Specifically, each power supply and distribution sub-system is designed in a centralized mounting manner and has separated power supply and power distribution functions that can work separately. The power supply and distribution systems are designed in a distributed mounting manner which is suitable for solar aircrafts having characteristics of large wingspan and distributed propulsion system, thereby effectively reducing the concentrated stress.

Claims (27)

1. A power supply and distribution device for solar-powered aircraft, comprising:

at least two power supply and distribution sub-systems having a same configuration;

wherein

an electrical connection between a plurality of components of each power supply and distribution sub-system can be disconnected by controlling a first switch; and

an electrical connection between identical components of the at least two power supply and distribution sub-systems can be established by controlling a second switch, and

wherein

the plurality of components of each power supply and distribution sub-system comprises a solar cell sub-array, a unidirectional DC/DC converter, a propulsion system, a bidirectional DC/DC converter, and an energy-storing lithium battery pack; and

the solar cell sub-array, the unidirectional DC/DC converter, the propulsion system, the bidirectional DC/DC converter, and the energy-storing lithium battery pack are sequentially and electrically connected.

2. The power supply and distribution device for solar-powered aircraft of claim 1 , wherein

the power supply and distribution device for solar-powered aircraft has a DC power supply mode including a positive pole and a negative pole;

the first switch for disconnecting the electrical connection between the plurality of components of one power supply and distribution sub-system is connected to one of the positive pole or the negative pole; and

the second switch for electrically connecting the identical components in the at least two power supply and distribution sub-systems is connected to the other of the positive pole or the negative pole.

3. The power supply and distribution device for solar-powered aircraft of claim 2 , wherein

the power supply and distribution device for solar-powered aircraft further comprises a key component for electrically connecting to an output end of the unidirectional DC/DC converter and/or the bidirectional DC/DC converter of each power supply and distribution sub-system.

4. The power supply and distribution device for solar-powered aircraft of claim 3 , wherein

the key component comprises a key unidirectional DC/DC converter, a load system, and a flight control system.

5. The power supply and distribution device for solar-powered aircraft of claim 1 , wherein

the power supply and distribution device for solar-powered aircraft comprises four power supply and distribution sub-systems distributively mounted on a wing.

6. The power supply and distribution device for solar-powered aircraft of claim 5 , wherein

the solar cell sub-array of each power supply and distribution sub-system is distributively mounted on an upper surface of the wing;

the propulsion system is mounted at a position corresponding to the solar cell sub-array in a front side of the wing;

the unidirectional DC/DC converter, the bidirectional DC/DC converter, and the energy-storing lithium battery pack are centrally mounted inside the wing below the solar cell sub-array.

7. The power supply and distribution device for solar-powered aircraft of claim 5 , wherein

the solar cell sub-array of each power supply and distribution sub-system is distributively mounted on an upper surface of the wing;

the propulsion system is distributively mounted at a position corresponding to the solar cell sub-array in a front side of the wing;

the energy-storing lithium battery pack is distributively mounted inside the wing below the solar cell sub-array; and

the unidirectional DC/DC converter and the bidirectional DC/DC converter are centrally mounted inside the wing.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 15, 2018
From: SUN, KANGWEN; ZHU, MING; DONG, JIAQI; LIANG, HAOQUAN; SUN, MOU; SHI, LIFENG
To: BEIHANG UNIVERSITY
Reel/Frame 045069/0745 →
Priority Claims (1)
CN 201710914468.5 · Sep 30, 2017 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20190100321A1 · Apr 4, 2019
Cited By (3)
US 12,278,508 US 12,587,958 US 12,712,358