Abstract: A gate departure system for an aircraft includes an electric traction motor for driving a wheel of a main landing gear assembly of the aircraft on only one side of the aircraft; and a controller selectively connected to a starter-generator of an auxiliary power unit (APU) and to the traction motor to control flow of electrical power to either the starter-generator for starting of the APU or the electric traction motor for driving the wheel.

Abstract: A gate departure system for an aircraft includes an electric traction motor for driving a wheel of a main landing gear assembly of the aircraft on only one side of the aircraft; and a controller selectively connected to a starter-generator of an auxiliary power unit (APU) and to the traction motor to control flow of electrical power to either the starter-generator for starting of the APU or the electric traction motor for driving the wheel.

Abstract: An aircraft taxi control system may include a left main gear (MG) drive motor, a right MG motor, a first motor drive controller configured to produce a left motor torque signal responsively to nose gear angle (NGA) and nose wheel speed (NGS), and a second motor drive controller configured to produce a right motor toque signal responsively to the NGA and the NGS. The left motor torque signal and the right motor torque signal may be coordinated to reduce lateral loading of the nose wheel during a turning maneuver.

Abstract: An online method and apparatus for determining state of charge (SoC) and state of health (SoH) of batteries on platforms that present dynamic charge and discharge environments is disclosed. A rested open circuit voltage (OCV) may be estimated online using a battery dynamic model along with measured terminal voltage, current and temperature. The SoC and SoH can then be determined from this estimated OCV. The apparatus and methods may estimate SoC and SoH of a battery in a real-time fashion without the need to a) disconnect the battery system from service; b) wait for a predefined rest time; or c) depolarize the battery.

Abstract: A program product for determining an obstruction in an air circuit for an environmental control unit having a motor is provided. The program product comprises a program and a non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium. The program is configured to at least facilitate obtaining a load current of the motor, determining a state of the motor, generating a comparison, and determining the obstruction using the load current and the comparison. The comparison is generated by comparing the load current to a first plurality of values if the motor is in a steady state, and by comparing the load current to a second plurality of values if the motor is in a transient state. The non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium stores the program.

Abstract: A power management system may employ a power source, a distribution system between the power source and electrical loads and an energy accumulator. The accumulator may comprise a plurality of energy processing blocks. Each block may have a limited number of energy storage cells connected in series to produce first voltage. A second higher output voltage from the accumulator may be achieved though integrated DC-DC, DC-AC and AC-DC conversion with intermediate boost of AC voltage through high frequency transformers. Bidirectional power flow may be achieved with high efficiency during charge and discharge of the accumulator. Secondary windings of the transformers may be connected with one another in series so that the accumulator can transfer energy between the distribution system and any one or all of the energy processing units in a fault-tolerant and efficient manner.

Abstract: A power distribution system includes the use of a master digital signal processor (DSP) and two slave DSPs connected to the master DSP. The slaves DSPs may be connected to each of a plurality of solid state power channels (SSPC) controlling power distribution functions to each of the channels. A power control strategy may use one power supply for the master DSP, a second power supply shared between the slave DSPs, and a third power supply shared between each of the SSPC channels.

Abstract: A power distribution system includes the use of a master digital signal processor (DSP) and two slave DSPs connected to the master DSP. The slaves DSPs may be connected to each of a plurality of solid state power channels (SSPC) controlling power distribution functions to each of the channels. A power control strategy may use one power supply for the master DSP, a second power supply shared between the slave DSPs, and a third power supply shared between each of the SSPC channels.

Abstract: An online method and apparatus for determining state of charge (SoC) and state of health (SoH) of batteries on platforms that present dynamic charge and discharge environments is disclosed. A rested open circuit voltage (OCV) may be estimated online using a battery dynamic model along with measured terminal voltage, current and temperature. The SoC and SoH can then be determined from this estimated OCV. The apparatus and methods may estimate SoC and SoH of a battery in a real-time fashion without the need to a) disconnect the battery system from service; b) wait for a predefined rest time; or c) depolarize the battery.

Abstract: A power management system may comprise a generative power source, a main bus between the generative power source and electrical loads, a energy accumulator and a main bi directional power converter interposed between the main bus and the energy accumulator unit. The energy accumulator may comprise a plurality of energy storage blocks. The energy storage blocks may individually comprise energy storage units and control units with dedicated DC/DC bidirectional power converters.

Abstract: An electrical power distribution system for a vehicle may provide from alternate sources of power to an electrical load. Two solid state power contactors (SSPC's) may provide connectivity paths between two power sources and the equipment. The SSPC's may be interconnected so that power to the load is provided on a first connectivity path between a first source of power and the load, unless and until a power interruption occurs on the first path. In the event of power interruption, the SSPC's actuate a second connectivity path between a second source of power and the load. Transfer of power sources may occur in a time period that is less than an equipment transparency time of the load.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of determining the state of charge and charging Li-ion batteries while the batteries remain floating on the direct current (DC) bus without the need for a dedicated charger is described. The system includes a battery, a DC generator and a converter, each electrically connected to a DC bus. A charging control algorithm may be used to monitor and control the charging current supplied to the battery. The voltage on the DC bus may be varied to help control the charging current supplied to the battery, based on the battery's internal impedance and the battery's state of charge.

Abstract: An electrical power system may comprise an AC generator and a generator control unit (GCU) for varying AC output voltage of the AC generator. A DC bus may be connected to the AC generator via a Transformer Rectifier Unit (TRU) so that DC voltage on the DC bus is directly proportional to the AC output voltage. A battery may be connected directly to the DC bus. A control loop may be connected to receive battery current information and provide control signals to vary the AC output voltage so that battery charge may be maintained without battery damage.

Abstract: A program product for determining an obstruction in an air circuit for an environmental control unit having a motor is provided. The program product comprises a program and a non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium. The program is configured to at least facilitate obtaining a load current of the motor, determining a state of the motor, generating a comparison, and determining the obstruction using the load current and the comparison. The comparison is generated by comparing the load current to a first plurality of values if the motor is in a steady state, and by comparing the load current to a second plurality of values if the motor is in a transient state. The non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium stores the program.

Abstract: A power management system may employ a power source, a distribution system between the power source and electrical loads and an energy accumulator. The accumulator may comprise a plurality of energy processing blocks. Each block may have a limited number of energy storage cells connected in series to produce first voltage. A second higher output voltage from the accumulator may be achieved though integrated DC-DC, DC-AC and AC-DC conversion with intermediate boost of AC voltage through high frequency transformers. Bidirectional power flow may be achieved with high efficiency during charge and discharge of the accumulator. Secondary windings of the transformers may be connected with one another in series so that the accumulator can transfer energy between the distribution system and any one or all of the energy processing units in a fault-tolerant and efficient manner.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrical power distribution system that includes a first primary distribution panel (PDP) connected to a first source of electrical power and a second PDP connected to a second source of electrical power. The second PDP is connected to the first PDP by a conductor. A first solid state power controller (SSPC) receives signals corresponding to the flow of current through the first PDP to a load. A second SSPC receives signals corresponding to the flow of current between the first PDP and the second PDP. The first and second SSPC protect the electrical power distribution system from a variety of fault conditions.

Abstract: A method for determining an obstruction in an air circuit, the air circuit having a fan and a motor that drives the fan, includes the steps of obtaining a load current of a motor coupled to the air circuit, comparing the load current to a predetermined value, and determining the obstruction using the load current and the predetermined value.

Abstract: Methods for active power management, i.e., the power management method may be activated in response to changes in the supply and demand of power in a system, are disclosed. The power management method may use dynamically collected data reporting levels of electrical power utilized by systems while matching them to the available power. One embodiment of the present invention may be applied in smaller or medium sized systems. Another embodiment of the present invention may be implemented making use of additional aircraft resources, such as an integrated modular avionics (IMA) line replaceable unit (LRU) in larger sized systems. Both of these embodiments may make use of data collected from systems utilizing or generating electrical via the bus power control unit (BPCU) LRU, the data processing taking place either locally in the BPCU (small or medium sized systems) or in the IMA (larger systems).

Abstract: A power management system may comprise a generative power source, a main bus between the generative power source and electrical loads, a energy accumulator and a main bi directional power converter interposed between the main bus and the energy accumulator unit. The energy accumulator may comprise a plurality of energy storage blocks. The energy storage blocks may individually comprise energy storage units and control units with dedicated DC/DC bidirectional power converters.

Abstract: An ungrounded electrical power distribution system may experience a single line to ground fault. Such a fault may not disrupt operation of the system, but its presence may raise a risk of additional problems if left uncorrected. A system for progressively grounding the ungrounded system may be initiated when a line to ground fault is suspected. As grounding through successively lower impedance proceeds, fault current may increase and detection of severity of the line to ground fault may be more readily achieved, thus facilitating localization of the fault.