Apparatus for aircraft with high peak power equipment

Abstract

A method for providing electrical power and cooling for an aircraft includes: connecting a starter generator to an energy accumulator bus; selectively connecting the energy accumulator bus to a first power distribution unit in a first power channel or a second power distribution unit in a second power channel; wherein the starter generator is coupled to a shaft in an integrated power and cooling unit that includes a cooling turbine coupled to the shaft; a compressor coupled to the shaft and including an input for receiving engine bleed air or ambient air and an output for discharging compressed air; a flywheel coupled to the shaft; and a power turbine coupled to the shaft; and using energy stored in the flywheel to rotate the shaft enabling the starter generator to supply electrical power to the energy accumulator bus.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for providing electrical power and cooling for an aircraft, the method comprising:
 connecting a starter generator to an energy accumulator bus;   selectively connecting the energy accumulator bus to a first power distribution unit in a first power channel or a second power distribution unit in a second power channel;   wherein the starter generator is coupled to a shaft in an integrated power and cooling unit that includes a cooling turbine coupled to the shaft; a compressor coupled to the shaft and including an input for receiving engine bleed air or ambient air and an output for discharging compressed air; a flywheel coupled to the shaft; and a power turbine coupled to the shaft; and   using energy stored in the flywheel to rotate the shaft enabling the starter generator to supply electrical power to the energy accumulator bus.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 using a vehicle management computer to control the step of selectively connecting the energy accumulator bus to the first power distribution unit in a first power channel or a second power distribution unit in a second power channel.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the vehicle management computer operates a solid state power controller connected between the energy accumulator bus and the first power distribution unit. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 using a first permanent magnet generator to supply power to the vehicle management computer.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 using the first and second power distribution units to distribute electrical power to a plurality of buses.