Abstract: A method of operating a power converter for converting an input voltage and/or an input current to an output voltage and/or an output current includes determining a temperature metric, representative of a temperature of the power converter during a period of operation, based on a temperature of the power converter at an end of a preceding period of operation. The method includes comparing the temperature metric to a reference temperature metric, representative of a reference temperature. The method includes determining a value of a control parameter, used to control the output current and/or the output voltage of the power converter, based on the comparison. The method includes operating the power converter using the control parameter. The temperature of the power converter depends on the value of the control parameter.

Abstract: A controller for a drive system, the drive system comprising a permanent magnet machine, wherein the controller is configured to receive a short circuit signal indicating that a short circuit failure has been detected in the drive system and in response to receiving the short circuit signal, control the permanent magnet machine into a braking mode, wherein in the braking mode, energy is drawn from the permanent magnet machine in order to decelerate the permanent magnet machine.

Abstract: A connection assembly for providing electrical connection of a multi-strand wire conductor to another component, comprising a printed circuit board, PCB, whereby the conductor can be connected to a conductive segment or track of the PCB which is also connected to the other component.

Abstract: A snubber circuit for a solid state circuit breaker (SSCB), the snubber circuit comprising a series connected capacitor and transient voltage suppressor, TVS, connected across switches of the SSCB, and a bidirectional solid state circuit breaker comprising: a main SSCB circuit configured to be connected between a power supply and a load, and comprising first and second semiconductor switches connected in series, and a snubber circuit as described above having a first end connected to a first end of the first semiconductor switch and a second end connected to a second end of the second semiconductor switch.

Abstract: A LLC voltage converter for converting a DC input voltage to a DC output voltage. The LLC voltage converter includes: a transformer having an input winding and an output winding, a controller and a current sensor. The current sensor measures a primary current through the input winding of the transformer and provides a measurement of the primary current to the controller. The controller determines when a secondary current, through the output winding of the transformer, is substantially zero based on the measurement of the primary current and a maximum value of the primary current.

Abstract: A power converter topology, comprising: a cascade connection of a first converter stage and a second converter stage; wherein the first converter stage comprises a current mode controlled pulse width modulation (PWM) converter having one or more pairs of switches forming a first switching bridge and an inductor connected to the output of the first switching bridge, the switching bridge generating a voltage Vlink; and wherein the second converter stage is a resonant converter having a switching stage having one or more pairs of switches forming a second switching bridge across the voltage Vlink generated by the first converter stage and a resonant tank connected to the output of the second switching bridge, to generate a resonator output voltage; the topology further comprising a transformer to transform the resonator output voltage to a transformed output voltage and a rectifier to rectify the transformed output voltage to an output voltage Vout, and wherein the duty cycle of the first switching bridge is var

Abstract: A LLC voltage converter for converting a DC input voltage to a DC output voltage includes a transformer, a controller and a current sensor. The current sensor provides a measurement of the current through a first winding of a transformer to the controller. The controller determines a parameter relating to an output current of the LLC voltage converter using the current measurement. The controller also receives a parameter relating to an output current of at least one other LLC voltage converter, configured in parallel with the LLC voltage converter. The controller is arranged to control the LLC voltage converter based on both the parameter relating to the output current of the LLC voltage converter and the parameter relating to the output current of the other LLC voltage converter.

Abstract: A controller, a circuit, an aircraft electrical system and a method for controlling an isolated (inductor-inductor-capacitor) LLC power converter circuit. The circuit comprising an isolated transformer, and a first switch operable as a synchronous rectifier on a secondary side of the transformer. The controller comprises a current determination module configured to determine a primary winding current on a primary side of the isolated transformer; and a processing module configured to use the determined primary winding current in a processing algorithm to output a first control signal to configure the first switch on the secondary side of the isolated transformer to determine a waveform of a secondary winding current of the isolated transformer.

Abstract: A switching bridge for the DC-DC stage of a power converter, the switching bridge having one or more sets of upper and lower series-connected switches (S1, S2) connected across a DC bus and arranged to be switched to provide an output AC voltage, the switching bridge further comprising a voltage divider (C1) arranged to vary the output AC voltage level according to the switching state of the switches.

Abstract: A power supply circuit includes a series connection, the series connection being configured to transmit energy from a main energy source to an output and an energy storage device connected in parallel to the series connection, the energy storage device being chargeable via the main energy source during a charging mode. The energy storage device is configured to supply energy to the output during a failure of the main energy source; and a controller configured to monitor and/or test the energy storage device for degradation when the energy storage device is not supplying energy to the output and when the energy storage device is not being charged.

Abstract: A controller for an aircraft assembly. The aircraft assembly includes a permanent magnet motor. The controller is configured to control the permanent magnet motor according to a damping mode. In the damping mode the controller receives electrical energy from the permanent magnet motor, wherein the electrical energy is produced as a result of kinetic energy in the aircraft assembly. The controller uses the electrical energy to send a first signal to control a transfer of electrical energy from the permanent magnet motor to a damping component to provide damping to the permanent magnet motor.

Abstract: A controller for a permanent magnet machine, the controller configured to: monitor a characteristic value of power transfer to the permanent magnet machine; compare the monitored characteristic value to a characteristic threshold; and indicate a short circuit error in response to the monitored characteristic value meeting the characteristic threshold.

Abstract: A power converter topology, comprising: a cascade connection of a first converter stage and a second converter stage; wherein the first converter stage comprises a current mode controlled pulse width modulation (PWM) converter having one or more pairs of switches forming a first switching bridge and an inductor connected to the output of the first switching bridge, the switching bridge generating a voltage Vlink; and wherein the second converter stage is a resonant converter having a switching stage having one or more pairs of switches forming a second switching bridge across the voltage Vlink generated by the first converter stage and a resonant tank connected to the output of the second switching bridge, to generate a resonator output voltage; the topology further comprising a transformer to transform the resonator output voltage to a transformed output voltage and a rectifier to rectify the transformed output voltage to an output voltage Vout, and wherein the duty cycle of the first switching bridge is var

Abstract: A controller area network (CAN) device arranged to communicate on a CAN bus, the device comprising a processor, a CAN controller, a CAN transceiver and a termination resistor and switch assembly, the termination resistor and switch assembly comprising a switch and a first termination resistor and a second termination resistor for connection, respectively, between the device and a first line and a second line of the CAN bus, the switch comprising a dual opto-coupled solid-state relay, between the first termination resistor and the second termination resistor, and a split termination capacitor connected at a mid-point between the first termination resistor and the second termination resistor and ground, whereby the switch is controlled by a termination enable signal from the device processor to switch in or switch out the first and second termination resistors according to a position of the device on the CAN bus.

Abstract: A snubber circuit for a solid state circuit breaker (SSCB), the snubber circuit comprising a series connected capacitor and transient voltage suppressor, TVS, connected across switches of the SSCB, and a bidirectional solid state circuit breaker comprising: a main SSCB circuit configured to be connected between a power supply and a load, and comprising first and second semiconductor switches connected in series, and a snubber circuit as described above having a first end connected to a first end of the first semiconductor switch and a second end connected to a second end of the second semiconductor switch.

Abstract: A wound core component comprises a wound core comprising a core and a wire wound around at least a portion of the core, and a carrier circuit board comprising a substrate layer and a through-hole formed through the substrate layer. The wound core is fixed to the carrier circuit board. The wound core component comprises a threaded insert for receiving a corresponding threaded fixing, the threaded insert fixedly received into the through-hole of the carrier circuit board.

Abstract: A switching bridge for the DC-DC stage of a power converter, the switching bridge having one or more sets of upper and lower series-connected switches (S1, S2) connected across a DC bus and arranged to be switched to provide an output AC voltage, the switching bridge further comprising a voltage divider (C1) arranged to vary the output AC voltage level according to the switching state of the switches.

Abstract: A connection assembly for providing electrical connection of a multi-strand wire conductor to another component, comprising a printed circuit board, PCB, whereby the conductor can be connected to a conductive segment or track of the PCB which is also connected to the other component.

Abstract: A power converter comprises a buck converter portion, an energy storage portion, and a controller. A first inductor is connected between the cathode of a first diode at an input node, and a capacitor at an output node. The input node is connected to an input voltage via a first switch. A second inductor in the energy storage portion is magnetically coupled to the first inductor and is connected to a second diode. The cathode of the second diode is connected to a first terminal of the energy storage element, and a second terminal of the energy storage element is connected to a second terminal of the second inductor. The first terminal of the energy storage element is connected to the input node via a second switch. When the input voltage is not less than a threshold, the second switch is opened.

Abstract: A power converter comprises a buck converter portion, an energy storage portion, and a controller. A first inductor is connected between the cathode of a first diode at an input node, and a capacitor at an output node. The input node is connected to an input voltage via a first switch. A second inductor in the energy storage portion is magnetically coupled to the first inductor and is connected to a second diode. The cathode of the second diode is connected to a first terminal of the energy storage element, and a second terminal of the energy storage element is connected to a second terminal of the second inductor. The first terminal of the energy storage element is connected to the input node via a second switch. When the input voltage is not less than a threshold, the second switch is opened.