Abstract: A high voltage contact control system includes main contacts on positive and negative feeder lines and a short circuit protection system configured between the positive feeder line and the negative feeder line. The short circuit protection system is configured to be operably connected between the positive and negative feeder lines and configured to selectively provide a bypass path between the positive feeder line and the negative feeder line to divert current away from the first and second contacts. The short circuit protection system includes first and second state arc prevention elements that can operate in at least two modes. The bypass path is established by having one of the arc prevention elements in a fully on mode and another either fully on or in a linear mode.

Abstract: A high voltage DC contactor control system. The system reduces/eliminates arcing in in contactors and includes a short circuit protection system operably connected to the drive voltage configured to reducing arcing between portions of the contactor. The short circuit protection system includes a first arc prevention element and a first arc prevention driver configured to cause the first arc prevention element to be disposed between the first and second portions of the first contactor to prevent arcing between them.

Abstract: A method of power switching includes receiving a command from an external aircraft controller to power an aircraft load from an aircraft voltage bus. The method includes in response to the command from the external aircraft controller, controlling a relay to connect or disconnect an aircraft voltage bus from an aircraft load. Controlling the relay includes current monitoring the relay and voltage monitoring the relay power switching. The method can include receiving temperature feedback indicative of temperature of the relay, and using the temperature feedback for at least one of controlling the relay and/or prognostic and health monitoring. The method can include outputting feedback to the external aircraft controller relating to status, operation, and health of the relay.

Abstract: A system includes a solid state power controller (SSPC) including a plurality of switching devices connected in parallel. A gate driver is operatively connected to control the plurality switching devices together so all of the switching devices in the plurality of switching devices either close to pass current through the SSPC, or open to prevent current passing through the SSPC in a normal operation mode. A fail open test circuit is operatively connected to individually control a respective gate of each of the switching devices in the plurality of switching devices for testing the plurality of switching devices individually for a fail OPEN condition.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the temperature of a solid state switch in an aircraft solid state power controller. The method includes: measuring an electric current (I) flowing through the solid state switch; calculating, based on the measured electric current (I), an introduced electric power (Pel) that is introduced into the solid state switch within the predefined time period (?t); calculating an increase in temperature (?T) of the solid state switch that is caused by the introduced electric power (Pel); calculating an actual temperature (Tact) of the solid state switch by adding the calculated increase in temperature (?T) to an ambient temperature (Tamb); and comparing the calculated actual temperature (Tact) with a predefined temperature threshold (Tth) and determining an overheat condition if the calculated actual temperature (Tact) exceeds the predefined temperature threshold (Tth).

Abstract: In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a power system for a vehicle is disclosed. The system can include, one or more power distribution sources configured to supply electrical power to one or more power districts. One or more power conversion devices can be housed within a respective power district. In embodiments, the power district can be configured to allow for managing a draw by a respective one or more loads within the respective power district. The one or more power conversion devices can be configured to receive electrical power from one or more of the one or more power distribution sources, convert the electrical power to a secondary form, and then the converted electrical power to the one or more loads within the respective power district. In embodiments, a logic module can be operatively connected to the one or more power districts, configured to control at least a load draw.

Abstract: A system includes a mechanical switching device having a first moveable contact operatively connected to selectively contact a first static contact. A second moveable contact is operatively connected to selectively contact a second static contact that is electrically connected in parallel with the first static contact. The first and second moveable contacts are mechanically connected to each other to move between a closed circuit position and an open circuit position. The first moveable contact contacts the first static contact before the second moveable contact contacts the second static contact as the first and second moveable contacts move into the closed circuit position from the open circuit position. The first moveable contact disconnects from the first static contact after the second moveable contact disconnects from the second static contact as the first and second moveable contacts move from the closed circuit position into the open circuit position.

Abstract: A drive system for a switch can include a control module configured to control, directly or indirectly, a state of a switch between a first state and a second state. The drive system can also include a transition timing system configured to measure a transition time that the switch is in transit between the first state and the second state.

Abstract: A dongle for connecting a computerized device to a certified unit under test (UUT) includes a computerized device communication port and a UUT communication port. The dongle also includes a communication module operatively connecting the computerized device communication port and the UUT communication port. The communication module includes an internet protocol (IP) module that supplies an IP address to a computerized device connected to the computerized device communication port, wherein the IP address enables the computerized device to receive signals from and/or send signals to the UUT.

Abstract: A system includes a mechanical switching device having a first moveable contact operatively connected to selectively contact a first static contact. A second moveable contact is operatively connected to selectively contact a second static contact that is electrically connected in parallel with the first static contact. The first and second moveable contacts are mechanically connected to each other to move between a closed circuit position and an open circuit position. The first moveable contact contacts the first static contact before the second moveable contact contacts the second static contact as the first and second moveable contacts move into the closed circuit position from the open circuit position. The first moveable contact disconnects from the first static contact after the second moveable contact disconnects from the second static contact as the first and second moveable contacts move from the closed circuit position into the open circuit position.

Abstract: A system includes a mechanical switching device having a first moveable contact operatively connected to selectively contact a first static contact. A second moveable contact is operatively connected to selectively contact a second static contact that is electrically connected in parallel with the first static contact. The first and second moveable contacts are mechanically connected to each other to move between a closed circuit position and an open circuit position. The first moveable contact contacts the first static contact before the second moveable contact contacts the second static contact as the first and second moveable contacts move into the closed circuit position from the open circuit position. The first moveable contact disconnects from the first static contact after the second moveable contact disconnects from the second static contact as the first and second moveable contacts move from the closed circuit position into the open circuit position.

Abstract: A system includes a mechanical switching device having a first moveable contact operatively connected to selectively contact a first static contact. A second moveable contact is operatively connected to selectively contact a second static contact that is electrically connected in parallel with the first static contact. The first and second moveable contacts are mechanically connected to each other to move between a closed circuit position and an open circuit position. The first moveable contact contacts the first static contact before the second moveable contact contacts the second static contact as the first and second moveable contacts move into the closed circuit position from the open circuit position. The first moveable contact disconnects from the first static contact after the second moveable contact disconnects from the second static contact as the first and second moveable contacts move from the closed circuit position into the open circuit position.

Abstract: An electronic label system is provided. The electronic label system includes a line replaceable unit. The electronic label system also includes an electronic label communicatively coupled to the line replaceable unit via a hardware link. The electronic label stores information respective to the line replaceable unit. The electronic label includes a chip or a radio frequency identification tag that provides the information to a reader.

Abstract: An apparatus that includes a single event latchup (SEL) recovery circuit, a microprocessor operatively connected with the SEL recovery circuit, and an output maintenance circuit that maintains a state of the microprocessor prior to a power cycle of the microprocessor. The apparatus is configured to detect a SEL event or other fault via a watchdog circuit, initiate a power cycle of the microprocessor, retain a latch state from the microprocessor, and determine whether the microprocessor was restarted due to an SEL event. Responsive to determining that the microprocessor has failed to restart due to a persistent fault, the apparatus determines whether a prepower cycle limit is reached within a predetermined span of time, and selectively provide power to a load based on the latch state and the power cycle limit determination.

Abstract: An electronic label system is provided. The electronic label system includes a line replaceable unit. The electronic label system also includes an electronic label communicatively coupled to the line replaceable unit via a hardware link. The electronic label stores information respective to the line replaceable unit. The electronic label includes a chip or a radio frequency identification tag that provides the information to a reader.

Abstract: A power dissipation monitoring method includes receiving a measurement of current flow through an electrical device and calculating heat dissipation from the electrical device using the current flow measurement. The calculated heat dissipation is displayed on a user interface in real-time with acquisition of the current measurement. Power dissipation monitoring system and electrical load managements systems are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus that includes a single event latchup (SEL) recovery circuit, a microprocessor operatively connected with the SEL recovery circuit, and an output maintenance circuit that maintains a state of the microprocessor prior to a power cycle of the microprocessor. The apparatus is configured to detect a SEL event or other fault via a watchdog circuit, initiate a power cycle of the microprocessor, retain a latch state from the microprocessor, and determine whether the microprocessor was restarted due to an SEL event. Responsive to determining that the microprocessor has failed to restart due to a persistent fault, the apparatus determines whether a prepower cycle limit is reached within a predetermined span of time, and selectively provide power to a load based on the latch state and the power cycle limit determination.

Abstract: A power dissipation monitoring method includes receiving a measurement of current flow through an electrical device and calculating heat dissipation from the electrical device using the current flow measurement. The calculated heat dissipation is displayed on a user interface in real-time with acquisition of the current measurement. Power dissipation monitoring system and electrical load managements systems are also described.

Abstract: A system for mitigating a solid state power controller (SSPC) open or closed state change caused by single event latchup (SEL) includes an ON circuit, an OFF circuit operatively connected in parallel to the ON circuit, a holding capacitor operatively connected in parallel with the ON circuit and the OFF circuit, and a power switching device operatively connected to the holding capacitor and the ON circuit. The system is configured to maintain, during and after the SEL, a drive state voltage to the power switching device that is stored in the holding capacitor prior to the SEL.

Abstract: A system for mitigating a solid state power controller (SSPC) open or closed state change caused by single event latchup (SEL) includes an ON circuit, an OFF circuit operatively connected in parallel to the ON circuit, a holding capacitor operatively connected in parallel with the ON circuit and the OFF circuit, and a power switching device operatively connected to the holding capacitor and the ON circuit. The system is configured to maintain, during and after the SEL, a drive state voltage to the power switching device that is stored in the holding capacitor prior to the SEL.