Abstract: A solid-state high-voltage direct-current (HVDC) bus voltage controller to provide active power flow control in a hybrid electric aircraft power supply system. The HVDC bus voltage controller includes an active voltage controller and an active rectifier unit configured to control the HVDC bus voltage using the PWM control technique. In one implementation, the active rectifier unit includes high-power and high-frequency semiconductor switches with fast turn-off capabilities. The active voltage controller sends an HVDC bus reference voltage to the active rectifier unit. The low-level controller inside the active rectifier unit is configured to control the HVDC bus voltage to match the HVDC bus reference voltage.

Abstract: Provided is a low-weight, high-efficiency inductor design for use with or in electrical power equipment, such as inverters. A toroidal power inductor includes a support structure comprising an outer shell, an inner shell, and one or more coolant channels formed therebetween, a plurality of conductors wrapped around and supported by an exterior surface of the outer shell, and an interior cavity substantially enclosed by the inner shell of the toroidal support structure. The plurality of conductors are configured to provide an inductance for the toroidal power inductor, and the one or more coolant channels are distributed beneath the exterior surface of the outer shell to cool the plurality of conductors. An air-core power inductor may implement the conductors using high-temperature superconducting (HTS) tapes cooled by cryogenic fluid flowing within the coolant channels.

Abstract: A programmable alternating current (AC) load in communication with an equipment under test (EUT) is disclosed, where the EUT generates an equipment under test voltage. The programmable AC load includes an active load profiler (ALP) for creating current modulation load profiles that are sent to the EUT. The ALP includes a voltage source inverter, a control module in operative communication with the voltage source inverter of the ALP, and a grid-connected inverter having an AC side and a direct current (DC) side. The AC side of the voltage source inverter is in communication with the EUT for receiving the equipment under test voltage. The control module sends a control duty signal to the voltage source inverter indicating a switching frequency and a duty cycle of the current modulation load profiles.

Abstract: A solid state primary power switching network for modular equipment centers (MECs) distributing primary power throughout a vehicle. The solid state primary power switching network includes multiple primary power switch network devices (PPSNDs) of a MEC for controlling and distributing primary power to other MECs spatially distribute throughout a vehicle. In one or more configurations, the PPSNDs have a universal structure in that each includes a common power input source and a plurality of common power outputs. In one or more configurations, primary power sources to the vehicle are switched without a perceivably visible break in power.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing regulated direct current power for a direct current load on an aircraft. A regulated transformer rectifier unit on an aircraft comprises a plurality of converter modules connected in parallel between an input and an output. Each converter module in the plurality of converter modules comprises a transformer rectifier unit. The plurality of converter modules are controlled by a controller to provide regulated direct current power at the output from alternating current power provided at the input from an alternating current power source on the aircraft.

Abstract: An electrical power system for regenerative loads may include a DC bus and an electrical actuator load, where back-driving the electrical actuator load generates regenerative electrical energy, and where the electrical actuator load is configured to transmit the regenerative electrical energy to the DC bus. The system may also include at least one additional load, where at least a portion of the regenerative electrical energy is transmitted to the at least one additional load.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for an aircraft propulsor configured to generate electrical power through a variable frequency generator in response to rotation of a gear train. The aircraft propulsor includes compensation circuitry. The aircraft propulsor further includes exciter circuitry that, when powered by an excitation signal, generates a magnetic field that interacts with a rotating variable frequency generator to generate electrical power. The exciter circuitry may be powered by at least a portion of the power generated by the variable frequency generator. The compensation circuitry may adjust the excitation signal to reduce the effect of torsional oscillation of the gear train and/or the variable frequency generator on the quality of power produced by the variable frequency generator.

Abstract: A multi-phase autotransformer (10) is disclosed. The exemplary transformer includes primary windings PWA, PWB, PWC) and secondary windings (SWA1-SWA4, SWB1-SWB4, SWC1-SWC4). The primary windings are connected in a delta configuration and to a three-phase input voltage source. Each secondary winding is electrically connected to a primary winding but is magnetically coupled to a different primary winding. Three sets of secondary windings provide three three-phase outputs (350A, 350B, 350C), each of which has a voltage which is less than the three-phase input voltage, the three-phase output of each set being phase-shifted with respect to the other sets. These three sets also, collectively, provide a multi-phase output (325). Another set of secondary windings, in conjunction with the input voltage, provides another multi-phase phase output (360) which has approximately the same voltage as the three-phase input voltage.

Abstract: A programmable alternating current (AC) load in communication with an equipment under test (EUT) is disclosed, where the EUT generates an equipment under test voltage. The programmable AC load includes an active load profiler (ALP) for creating current modulation load profiles that are sent to the EUT. The ALP includes a voltage source inverter, a control module in operative communication with the voltage source inverter of the ALP, and a grid-connected inverter having an AC side and a direct current (DC) side. The AC side of the voltage source inverter is in communication with the EUT for receiving the equipment under test voltage. The control module sends a control duty signal to the voltage source inverter indicating a switching frequency and a duty cycle of the current modulation load profiles.

Abstract: A method for managing power in an airplane. Power quality data and load management data are collected from airplane systems in the airplane at a variable sampling rate using data collectors assigned to the airplane systems in which the variable sampling rate increases in response to a selected trigger event. The power quality data and the load management data are received by a power monitor from the data collectors during phases of flight for the airplane. A group of load management operations for the airplane systems are performed by a load manager in the airplane during operation of the airplane. The group of load management operations is performed using the power quality data and the load management data received from the data collectors during the phases of flight for the airplane.

Abstract: A programmable AC load in communication with an equipment under test (EUT) is disclosed. The EUT generates an equipment under test voltage. The programmable alternating current (AC) load includes an active load profiler (ALP), a grid-connecter inverter, and an operational mode selector. The operational mode selector is in communication with an AC side of the grid-connected inverter. The operational mode selector places the programmable AC load in either a regenerative mode where the equipment under test voltage is sent to a main grid or a dissipative mode where the equipment under test voltage is dissipated by heat.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for an aircraft propulsor configured to generate electrical power through a variable frequency generator in response to rotation of a gear train. The aircraft propulsor includes compensation circuitry. The aircraft propulsor further includes exciter circuitry that, when powered by an excitation signal, generates a magnetic field that interacts with a rotating variable frequency generator to generate electrical power. The exciter circuitry may be powered by at least a portion of the power generated by the variable frequency generator. The compensation circuitry may adjust the excitation signal to reduce the effect of torsional oscillation of the gear train and/or the variable frequency generator on the quality of power produced by the variable frequency generator.

Abstract: A system and method for providing power to a vehicle is disclosed. The system can include a plurality of parallel module converter modules (“modules”) each capable of supplying a predetermined electrical load. The plurality of parallel module converter modules can be networked to form a parallel module converter (“converter”) for prioritizing and allocating each electrical load to one or more parallel module converter modules. Each module can include an internal protection controller and a logic controller. The individual modules can provide power to various loads in the vehicle either alone, or in concert with other modules. The system can enable fewer power controllers to be used, saving weight and time. The controllers in the system can also be utilized at a higher level reducing unnecessary redundancy.

Abstract: A system architecture for a battery charger that employs GaN-based power devices. The system takes advantage of the active power electronics circuits for power conversion, utilizing controls for power factor correction at its input and constant current/constant voltage regulation at its output. Specifically, a universal GaN-based battery charger architecture is proposed for charging either low- or high-voltage batteries using either three-phase 230-V variable frequency or three-phase 115-V constant frequency AC input power, while meeting stringent power quality and electromagnetic interference aerospace requirements.

Abstract: Methods, computer-readable storage mediums and systems provide for designing a motor drive power system including switching mode power conversion equipment. According to aspects of the disclosure, a resonant point is shifted to a shifted resonant point by changing impedance of at least one of a feeder or a motor. An EMI filter is designed for the shifted resonant point that is at a higher frequency such that the EMI filter for the shifted resonant point is lighter as compared to an EMI filter designed for the resonant point before it is shifted.

Abstract: Provided is a low-weight, high-efficiency inductor design for use with or in electrical power equipment, such as inverters. A toroidal power inductor includes a support structure comprising an outer shell, an inner shell, and one or more coolant channels formed therebetween, a plurality of conductors wrapped around and supported by an exterior surface of the outer shell, and an interior cavity substantially enclosed by the inner shell of the toroidal support structure. The plurality of conductors are configured to provide an inductance for the toroidal power inductor, and the one or more coolant channels are distributed beneath the exterior surface of the outer shell to cool the plurality of conductors. An air-core power inductor may implement the conductors using high-temperature superconducting (HTS) tapes cooled by cryogenic fluid flowing within the coolant channels.

Abstract: A method for controlling a circuit control system. Currents are sensed at outputs of transistors in the circuit control system. Levels are identified for the currents. A number of characteristics of the transistors are controlled while the currents flow out of the transistors such that the currents flowing out of the transistors have desired levels.

Abstract: A solid state primary power switching network for modular equipment centers (MECs) distributing primary power throughout a vehicle. The solid state primary power switching network includes multiple primary power switch network devices (PPSNDs) of a MEC for controlling and distributing primary power to other MECs spatially distribute throughout a vehicle. In one or more configurations, the PPSNDs have a universal structure in that each includes a common power input source and a plurality of common power outputs. In one or more configurations, primary power sources to the vehicle are switched without a perceivably visible break in power.

Abstract: A system architecture for a battery charger that employs GaN-based power devices. The system takes advantage of the active power electronics circuits for power conversion, utilizing controls for power factor correction at its input and constant current/constant voltage regulation at its output. Specifically, a universal GaN-based battery charger architecture is proposed for charging either low- or high-voltage batteries using either three-phase 230-V variable frequency or three-phase 115-V constant frequency AC input power, while meeting stringent power quality and electromagnetic interference aerospace requirements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing power stably for direct current loads. A regulated transformer rectifier unit is controlled to provide regulated direct current power for the direct current loads at an output of the regulated transformer rectifier unit from alternating current power provided by an alternating current power source to an input of the regulated transformer rectifier unit. The direct current loads comprise passive direct current loads and active direct current loads comprising active switching power supplies. The direct current loads have at least one of constant power characteristics, resistive power characteristics, inductive power characteristics, and capacitive power characteristics. A source impedance at the output of the regulated transformer rectifier unit is determined based on an aggregate load impedance of the direct current loads and stability criterion.