Abstract: A generator control unit includes a plurality of permanent magnet generator (PMG) inputs, a transformer including a multi-configuration input winding and at least one output winding. Each PMG input in the plurality of PMG inputs is connected to the multi-configuration input winding at a corresponding input winding input.

Abstract: An assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a synchronous machine including a rotating portion and a stationary portion, the rotating portion including at least one rotating diode coupled to a field winding, and the stationary portion including a stator winding and an exciter winding. A control unit includes a first gate and a second gate. The exciter winding is connected in series to the first gate and the second gate during a first operating mode to energize the exciter winding. The exciter winding is electrically connected in series to a first gate but is electrically disconnected from the second gate in a second, different operating mode to electrically disconnect the exciter winding from an exciter energy source. A method of operating a synchronous machine is also disclosed.

Abstract: A voltage driver includes a voltage input, a voltage regulation controller including an on/off input. The voltage regulation controller is configured to control a switching converter in a first mode, a second mode, and at least one additional mode. The switching converter is configured to operate as an open pass switch in the first mode, is configured to operate as a closed pass switch in the second mode, and is configured to operate as an overcurrent and overvoltage protection switch in the at least one additional mode. A discrete output driver control and monitoring circuit can be used to control the switching converter. The output driver control and monitoring circuit includes a controller coupled to a communication bus and is configured to provide high level control instructions to the communication bus.

Abstract: An assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a synchronous machine including a rotating portion and a stationary portion, the rotating portion including at least one rotating diode coupled to a field winding, and the stationary portion including a stator winding and an exciter winding. A control unit includes a first gate and a second gate. The exciter winding is connected in series to the first gate and the second gate during a first operating mode to energize the exciter winding. The exciter winding is electrically connected in series to a first gate but is electrically disconnected from the second gate in a second, different operating mode to electrically disconnect the exciter winding from an exciter energy source. A method of operating a synchronous machine is also disclosed.

Abstract: A voltage driver includes a voltage input, a voltage regulation controller including an on/off input. The voltage regulation controller is configured to control a switching converter in a first mode, a second mode, and at least one additional mode. The switching converter is configured to operate as an open pass switch in the first mode, is configured to operate as a closed pass switch in the second mode, and is configured to operate as an overcurrent and overvoltage protection switch in the at least one additional mode. A discrete output driver control and monitoring circuit can be used to control the switching converter. The output driver control and monitoring circuit includes a controller coupled to a communication bus and is configured to provide high level control instructions to the communication bus.

Abstract: A voltage driver includes a voltage input, a voltage regulation controller including an on/off input. The voltage regulation controller is configured to control a switching converter in a first mode, a second mode, and at least one additional mode. The switching converter is configured to operate as an open pass switch in the first mode, is configured to operate as a closed pass switch in the second mode, and is configured to operate as an overcurrent and overvoltage protection switch in the at least one additional mode. A discrete output driver control and monitoring circuit can be used to control the switching converter. The output driver control and monitoring circuit includes a controller coupled to a communication bus and is configured to provide high level control instructions to the communication bus.

Abstract: A transient voltage protection circuit. The transient voltage protection circuit including a resistor with a source-side terminal and a device-side terminal, a first stage with a first protection element connected to the resistor device-side terminal, a second stage with a second protection element connected to the resistor source-side terminal, and a ground terminal connected to the resistor source-side terminal through the second stage and to the resistor device-side terminal of the resistor through the first stage.

Abstract: A power system includes an integrated drive generator (IDG) including an exciter field winding. A generator control unit (GCU) includes exciter drive circuit configured to electrically energize the exciter field winding, and a main stator configured to output voltage to at least one electrical load. The exciter drive circuit includes a dynamic flyback unit configured to selectively operate the exciter drive circuit between a first mode and a second mode different from the first mode based on a change in the at least one electrical load.

Abstract: A transient voltage protection circuit includes an inductor with a source-side terminal and a device-side terminal, a first stage with a protection element connected to the inductor source-side terminal, and a second stage with a protection element connected to the inductor device-side terminal. A ground terminal is connected to the inductor device-side terminal through the first stage and to the inductor source-side terminal through the first stage. The second stage defines a single conductive path between the inductor source-side terminal and the ground terminal.

Abstract: A power system includes an integrated drive generator (IDG) including an exciter field winding. A generator control unit (GCU) includes exciter drive circuit configured to electrically energize the exciter field winding, and a main stator configured to output voltage to at least one electrical load. The exciter drive circuit includes a dynamic flyback unit configured to selectively operate the exciter drive circuit between a first mode and a second mode different from the first mode based on a change in the at least one electrical load.

Abstract: The disclosure herein relates to a current managed drive system for utilizing a current output to engage and hold a contactor. The current managed drive system includes the contactor comprising a single coil that has a momentary high pull-in current and a low hold current and a contactor coil drive configured to control the current output to the contactor to match the momentary high pull-in current to engage the contactor and the low hold current to hold the contactor.

Abstract: A voltage driver includes a voltage input, a voltage regulation controller including an on/off input. The voltage regulation controller is configured to control a switching converter in a first mode, a second mode, and at least one additional mode. The switching converter is configured to operate as an open pass switch in the first mode, is configured to operate as a closed pass switch in the second mode, and is configured to operate as an overcurrent and overvoltage protection switch in the at least one additional mode. A discrete output driver control and monitoring circuit can be used to control the switching converter. The output driver control and monitoring circuit includes a controller coupled to a communication bus and is configured to provide high level control instructions to the communication bus.

Abstract: An overvoltage detection system includes a sensed voltage; an active reference module that generates an active reference signal having a magnitude that varies inversely with a magnitude of the sensed voltage; and a timed trip module that includes a resistor and capacitor, and detects an overvoltage condition as a function of the sensed voltage, the active reference signal, and time.

Abstract: An overvoltage detection system includes a sensed voltage; an active reference module that generates an active reference signal having a magnitude that varies inversely with a magnitude of the sensed voltage; and a timed trip module that includes a resistor and capacitor, and detects an overvoltage condition as a function of the sensed voltage, the active reference signal, and time.

Abstract: An electric power generation system has a synchronous machine, a starter excitation source and an exciter field driver. The starter excitation source is connected to the synchronous machine via multiple phase connections, and the exciter field driver is connected to the synchronous machine via a portion of the same phase connections. At least one of the phase connections is connected to each other phase connection via a transient voltage suppressor.

Abstract: A power distribution system and method has a controller and at least one semiconductor switch. The power distribution system additionally has an on status detector which detects the status of the semiconductor switches, and an overcurrent status circuit which checks for overcurrent conditions.

Abstract: An electric generator with a rotating diode fault detection device built in that operates by comparing a voltage buildup across the exciter DC supply with a preset threshold value and determining if a fault condition is present based on the comparison.

Abstract: A voltage detection circuit comprises a tap to be connected to a positive line and a return tap to be connected to a return line on a power supply. The potential difference between the positive line and the return line is the input line voltage. A scaling resistor network scales down the input line voltage to be indicative of a voltage on the input line. The scaled voltage is connected to an input for a comparator. A reference voltage is supplied to the comparator. The reference voltage supplied to the comparator is indicative of a threshold voltage at which an output of the circuit changes states. An output of the comparator communicates a signal to an optical isolation device when the input line voltage is below the threshold voltage to turn the optical isolation device on and send a signal to an output of the optical isolation device. The optical isolation device is not turned on if the input line voltage exceeds the threshold voltage.

Abstract: A power distribution system and method has a controller and at least one semiconductor switch. The power distribution system additionally has an on status detector which detects the status of the semiconductor switches, and an overcurrent status circuit which checks for overcurrent conditions.

Abstract: A voltage detection circuit comprises a tap to be connected to a positive line and a return tap to be connected to a return line on a power supply. The potential difference between the positive line and the return line is the input line voltage. A scaling resistor network scales down the input line voltage to be indicative of a voltage on the input line. The scaled voltage is connected to an input for a comparator. A reference voltage is supplied to the comparator. The reference voltage supplied to the comparator is indicative of a threshold voltage at which an output of the circuit changes states. An output of the comparator communicates a signal to an optical isolation device when the input line voltage is below the threshold voltage to turn the optical isolation device on and send a signal to an output of the optical isolation device. The optical isolation device is not turned on if the input line voltage exceeds the threshold voltage.