Inductive power transfer for aerospace flight systems

US10298060B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration · US

Inventor

• Michael Wright · Farmington Hills, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 14, 2016
• Grant date: May 21, 2019
• Expiry date: Apr 14, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02T10/70
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An apparatus and method of wirelessly powering an aerospace vehicle while the vehicle is on the ground is provided to solve a problem of supplying electric power for aircraft while idling on taxiways. Present systems typically require fuel-driven auxiliary power units (APU's) to generate electricity. Running APU's to power aircraft while idling requires over 443 million gallons of jet fuel annually at a cost of $1.3 billion dollars. This results in an estimated 4.7 megatons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. At the gate, shore power is provided via hardline connection.