Illinois Tool Works Inc.
BATTERY DRIVEN GROUND POWER UNIT WITH IMPROVED CONSTRUCTION, OPERABILITY, DURABILITY AND MAINTENANCE

Abstract:

An airport ground power unit for supplying electric current to a parked aircraft and a related system and method. The ground power unit includes a first electric battery, an inverter for transforming an output current of the battery to an alternating output current to be supplied to the aircraft, and one or more first electronic switches for connecting and disconnecting the first battery to and from the inverter. The first switches are connected in serial to the first battery, and together connected to the inverter. A first controller unit controls at least one of the one or more first switches. The ground power unit further includes a second electric battery and second electronic switches for connecting and disconnecting the second battery. The second switches are connected in serial to the second battery and are together connected to the inverter such that they are in parallel to the serially connected first battery and the first switches. At least one of the second switches is controlled by the first or a second digital controller unit.