IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,639,229
Granted Patent B1
US 11,639,229 · App. 17/529,710 · Granted May 2, 2023

High voltage distribution systems and methods

Inventors: Timothy Gerard Richter (Wynantskill, NY); Sean Donovan (Richmond, VT)
Assignee: BETA AIR, LLC
B64D27/24B64C29/0008B64D31/00B60L53/16B60L58/12B60L2200/10G05D1/102
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,639,229
App. No.
17/529,710
Granted
May 2, 2023
Kind
B1
Abstract

Abstract of the Disclosure: Provided in this disclosure is a high voltage distribution system of an electric aircraft. The system includes a power source mechanically connected to an electric aircraft, where the power source is configured to supply power to the electric aircraft. The system also includes a flight component mechanically connected to the electric aircraft. The system also includes a distribution component configured to control the providing of power to and from the power source and the flight component as needed during recharging and/or operation of the electric aircraft.

Claims (40)

1. A high voltage distribution system for an electric aircraft, the system comprising:

at least a power source mechanically connected to an electric aircraft, wherein the at least a power source is configured to supply power to the electric aircraft;

a flight component mechanically connected to the electric aircraft; and

a high voltage distribution component comprising:

a power source connection configured to electrically connect the at least a power source and the high voltage distribution component;

a flight component connection configured to electrically connect the flight component and the high voltage distribution component, wherein the flight component comprises a plurality of propulsors;

a controller, wherein the controller is configured to:

control power to the at least a power source from an electric charger via the battery connection; and

control electrical power to the flight component from the at least a power source via the flight component connection; and

a multibus, wherein a first bus of the multibus is configured to supply power from a first power source to a first propulsor of the plurality of propulsors, and wherein a second bus of the multibus is configured to supply power from a second power source to a second propulsor of the plurality of propulsors.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the high voltage distribution component comprises a recharging port, where the recharging port is configured to receive power from the charger.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the flight component connection is configured to communicatively connect to a load of the flight component.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the flight component comprises an electric motor configured to convert the electric power from the high voltage distribution component into a mechanical movement of flight component.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the flight component comprises an aerodynamic surface.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the power source comprises a pack monitoring unit (PMU) configured to communication a condition of the power source to the controller of the high voltage distribution component.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the high voltage distribution component includes a bus tie, wherein the bus tie is configured initiate a supply of power from the second power source to the first propulsor if the first power source malfunctions.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the electric aircraft comprises an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

9. A method for high voltage distribution for an electric aircraft, the method comprising:

providing a high voltage distribution system, the high voltage distribution system comprising:

at least a power source mechanically connected to an electric aircraft, wherein the at least a power source is configured to supply power to the electric aircraft;

a flight component mechanically connected to the electric aircraft; and

a high voltage distribution component comprising:

a power source connection configured to electrically connect the at least a power source and the high voltage distribution component;

a flight component connection configured to electrically connect the flight component and the high voltage distribution component, wherein the flight component comprises a plurality of propulsors; a controller, wherein the controller is configured to:

control power to the at least a power source from an electric charger via the battery connection; and

control electrical power to the flight component from the at least a power source via the flight component connection; and

a multibus, wherein a first bus of the multibus is configured to supply power from a first power source to a first propulsor of the plurality of propulsors, and wherein a second bus of the multibus is configured to supply power from a second power source to a second propulsor of the plurality of propulsors;

determining, by a controller of a high voltage distribution component, a charging power input of a power source, wherein the power source is mechanically connected to an electrical aircraft;

supplying, by the high voltage distribution component, a charging power correlated to the charging power input to the power source from an electric charger via a power source connection between the high voltage distribution component and the power source;

determining, by the controller, an actuating power input of a flight component; and

supplying, by the high voltage distribution component, an actuating power correlated to the actuating power input to the flight component from the power source via a flight component connection between the high voltage distribution component and the flight component.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the high voltage distribution component comprises a recharging port, where the recharging port is configured to receive power from the charger.

11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the flight component comprises an electric motor configured to convert the electric power from the high voltage distribution component into a mechanical movement of the flight component.

12. The method of claim 9 , wherein the flight component comprises an aerodynamic surface.

13. The method of claim 9 , wherein the power source comprises a pack monitoring unit (PMU) configured to communication a condition of the power source to the controller of the high voltage distribution component.

14. The method of claim 9 , wherein:

the power source comprises a plurality of battery packs; and

the flight component comprises a plurality of propulsors.

15. The method of claim 9 , wherein the high voltage distribution component includes a bus tie configured to initiate supply of power from the second power source to the first propulsor if the first power source malfunctions.

16. The method of claim 9 , wherein the electric aircraft comprises an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 22, 2021
From: RICHTER, TIMOTHY GERARD; DONOVAN, SEAN
To: BETA AIR, LLC
Reel/Frame 058460/0087 →
Cited By (2)
US 12,252,262 US 12,296,966