Abstract: An electrical system includes an alternating current (AC) source; a transformer rectifier unit (TRU) connected to the AC source, the TRU configured to receive AC power from the AC source, convert the AC power to direct current (DC) power, and output DC power; a DC bus configured to receive the DC power output by the TRU; at least one DC load powered by the DC bus; and a shunt regulator connected to the output of the TRU, the shunt regulator configured to overload the output of the TRU in the event of an overvoltage condition at the output of the TRU, such that a voltage available to the DC bus during the overvoltage condition does not exceed a reference voltage.

Abstract: An example solid state contactor assembly includes a switching element having a field-effect transistor and a diode in parallel. The switching element is configured to communicate electric current along a current flow path extending from a first bus bar to a second bus bar. A control device is configured to selectively communicate current along a portion of the current flow path through the field-effect transistor or the diode of the switching element.

Abstract: An electrical system includes a generator; a generator control unit connected to the generator; and a shunt regulator connected to an excitation output of the generator control unit, wherein the shunt regulator is configured to overload the excitation output of the generator control unit in the event of an overvoltage condition in the electrical system, such that an output voltage of the generator does not exceed a predetermined ceiling voltage during the overvoltage condition.

Abstract: An example solid state contactor assembly includes a switching element having a field-effect transistor and a diode in parallel. The switching element is configured to communicate electric current along a current flow path extending from a first bus bar to a second bus bar. A control device is configured to selectively communicate current along a portion of the current flow path through the field-effect transistor or the diode of the switching element.

Abstract: An electrical system includes a generator; a generator control unit connected to the generator; and a shunt regulator connected to an excitation output of the generator control unit, wherein the shunt regulator is configured to overload the excitation output of the generator control unit in the event of an overvoltage condition in the electrical system, such that an output voltage of the generator does not exceed a predetermined ceiling voltage during the overvoltage condition.

Abstract: An electrical system includes an alternating current (AC) source; a transformer rectifier unit (TRU) connected to the AC source, the TRU configured to receive AC power from the AC source, convert the AC power to direct current (DC) power, and output DC power; a DC bus configured to receive the DC power output by the TRU; at least one DC load powered by the DC bus; and a shunt regulator connected to the output of the TRU, the shunt regulator configured to overload the output of the TRU in the event of an overvoltage condition at the output of the TRU, such that a voltage available to the DC bus during the overvoltage condition does not exceed a reference voltage.

Abstract: A solid state power control module contains non-volatile memory. A switch for opening is provided to break a supply of power to a component. The switch is operable to trip (open) when an undesirable condition is detected, and further to be opened upon receiving a control signal. A status of the switch is stored in the non-volatile memory. A detector is provided for identifying when a module has been mounted in a housing, and communicates with the non-volatile memory if it is determined that the module is newly installed in a housing. A system and method are also claimed.

Abstract: A remote data concentrator receives signals from a plurality of sensors. The plurality of sensors are for use on an aircraft. Each of the sensors have their signals split between at least two flow paths, such that each of the sensors are provided with redundancy. The remote data concentrator is also utilized as part of an aircraft electrical control system.

Abstract: A solid state power control module contains non-volatile memory. A switch for opening is provided to break a supply of power to a component. The switch is operable to trip (open) when an undesirable condition is detected, and further to be opened upon receiving a control signal. A status of the switch is stored in the non-volatile memory. A detector is provided for identifying when a module has been mounted in a housing, and communicates with the non-volatile memory if it is determined that the module is newly installed in a housing. A system and method are also claimed.

Abstract: A remote data concentrator receives signals from a plurality of sensors. Each of the sensors have their signals split between at least two flow paths, such that each of the sensors are provided with redundancy.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling an electronic circuit breaker prevents the circuit breaker from contributing its own delay to a power interruption time window on a load. A monitor coupled to a control processor in the circuit breaker causes the control processor to operate in a low-energy consumption sleep mode if it detects a power interruption. During the sleep mode, the control processor draws current from an energy storage device until the power source is reconnected to the control processor. Because the control processor operation is suspended rather than stopped during the power interruption, the control processor does not need to conduct any preliminary power up operations when power is resumed.

Abstract: A generator system includes a generator control for providing electrical power to a main generator. The main generator is mechanically coupled to an electrical power source that provides electrical power to the generator control during operation of the main generator. An arc fault device in electrical communication with the electrical power source electrically isolates the power source from the generator control when an arc fault within the generator control is detected.

Abstract: A power distribution assembly (PDA) includes a plurality of power modules that are installed within a chassis that is mounted to a vehicle, such as an aircraft. The power modules are used to control aircraft systems such as braking, navigation, or temperature control systems. The PDA includes first and second microprocessors that have separate serial busses that are in communication with each of the power modules. A first power supply powers the first microprocessor and each of the power modules and a second power supply powers the second microprocessor and each of the power modules independently from the first power supply. Additionally the first and second microprocessors communicate with each other via both serial busses to determine which microprocessor is in active control and which microprocessor is on standby in addition to monitoring the health of the other microprocessor.

Abstract: A power distribution assembly (PDA) includes AC and/or DC power modules and control modules that are installed within a chassis that is mounted to a vehicle, such as an aircraft. Each module includes a wiring harness connector and a control connector for attachment to a motherboard. A wiring harness is externally mounted to the chassis to provide a simplified connection for the wiring harness connector. The modules can be individually and selectively removed from the chassis for repair or replacement without having to remove the entire PDA from the aircraft. This is accomplished by simply removing the module from the chassis, thereby disconnecting the aircraft interface and motherboard connectors for the selected modules. Also, a common PDA can be utilized on different types of aircraft by installing desired modules within the chassis.

Abstract: A power distribution assembly (PDA) includes AC and/or DC power modules and control modules that are installed within a chassis that is mounted to a vehicle, such as an aircraft. Each module includes a wiring harness connector and a control connector for attachment to a motherboard. A wiring harness is externally mounted to the chassis to provide a simplified connection for the wiring harness connector. The modules can be individually and selectively removed from the chassis for repair or replacement without having to remove the entire PDA from the aircraft. This is accomplished by simply removing the module from the chassis, thereby disconnecting the aircraft interface and motherboard connectors for the selected modules. Also, a common PDA can be utilized on different types of aircraft by installing desired modules within the chassis. Thus, the number and type of modules are selected to meet predetermined specifications for a specific aircraft and then installed within a PDA common to all aircraft.

Abstract: A power drive unit and control system therefor avoiding performance degradation which can occur in control of the variable displacement hydraulic motor of the power drive unit by measurement of the angle of a displacement-setting wobbler of the motor and the speed of the motor. This is avoided by sensing flow through the motor which provides an indirect measure of wobbler position and speed of motor operation. The power drive unit and control system therefor has a variable displacement hydraulic motor with a displacement-setting wobbler positioned by pressure applied to a servo piston by an electro-hydraulic servo valve. The control system responds to a speed command having a value dependent upon a position loop which determines the relation between the actual position of a load and a commanded position, with the control providing for a maximum possible speed of motor operation under a particular load condition with a substantially constant rate of fluid flow through the motor.

Abstract: A controller operable in a normal mode of operation to control an output device in response to a sensed condition includes means for detecting a fault in the controller or output device. Means are responsive to the fault detecting means for controlling the output device in a failsafe mode of operation wherein the output device is safely operated without regard to the sensed condition when a fault is detected. Means responsive to the fault detecting means causes a return to the normal mode of operation only if the existence of the fault can be detected while in the failsafe mode and the fault ceases to exist during such time.