Abstract: A Direct Current (DC)-DC converter includes an input capacitor connected across a positive input terminal and a return input terminal. A current limiter includes a reference threshold portion connected across the positive input terminal and the return input terminal and a reference node. A difference amplifier circuit includes connections to the positive input terminal and to the return input terminal. The difference amplifier circuit generates a feedback output dependent on a voltage differential between the positive input terminal and the return input terminal. A comparison logic circuit receives the feedback output as a first comparison input and voltage of the reference node as a second comparison input and generates a comparison output. An active current limiting portion includes a current limiting transistor connected to at least one of the positive input terminal or the return input terminal and limits a current on one of the positive and return input terminals.

Abstract: A sensor in an aircraft cargo handling system may comprise a housing, an infrared light emitter, an infrared light photoreceptor, and a microprism. The sensor may be configured to detect an object in proximity to the sensor using electromagnetic waves and voltage measurements. The sensor may include a microcontroller configured to read the voltage measurements associated with infrared electromagnetic waves, compare the voltage measurements to a threshold voltage, and determine the functional condition of the sensor based on the comparison.

Abstract: A drive system for an aircraft. The drive system includes a controller, a motor coupled to an H-bridge network, a DC link that can be coupled to the motor; and an electrical braking system configured to be electrically coupled to the motor. The electrical braking system includes: a sense circuit configured to sense a condition of the DC link; a brake resistor coupled to the DC link; a temperature sensor; a drive circuit coupled to the sense circuit; and a coil for breaking in an inductive braking mode or generating heat in a cold start mode, wherein the coil is located in or near a line replaceable unit chassis that includes printed circuit boards.

Abstract: A Direct Current (DC)-DC converter includes an input capacitor connected across a positive input terminal and a return input terminal. A DC-DC converter circuit is connected across the positive input terminal and the return input terminal. A current limiting failsafe circuit includes a current limiting portion connected across the positive input terminal and the return input terminal and a failsafe portion connected to a sensed voltage output. The failsafe portion is configured to control a current limit function of the current limiting portion and configured to force the DC-DC converter circuit into an off state in response to retripping of the current limiting portion.

Abstract: Testing a gasket within a groove formed around a top of an enclosure and covered by a lid, including steps of: positioning a needle of a probe within a notch formed in an outer wall that surrounds the groove; and: injecting input current through the probe; comparing input voltage from the probe in the notch and an output voltage induced in conductive fasteners that secure the lid to the enclosure, to determine that a difference in the voltages is within a predetermined range, where voltage at the fasteners is measured with another probe; or injecting the input current into the fasteners; and comparing the input voltage at the fasteners with the output voltage induced in the gasket and measured via the probe in the notch, to determine that the difference in the voltages is within the predetermined range, where voltage at the fasteners is measured with the another probe.

Abstract: A Direct Current (DC)-DC converter includes an input capacitor connected across a positive input terminal and a return input terminal. A DC-DC converter circuit is connected across the positive input terminal and the return input terminal. A current limiting failsafe circuit includes a current limiting portion connected across the positive input terminal and the return input terminal and a failsafe portion connected to a sensed voltage output. The failsafe portion is configured to control a current limit function of the current limiting portion and configured to force the DC-DC converter circuit into an off state in response to retripping of the current limiting portion.

Abstract: A solenoid drive circuit includes a power source, a first solenoid control circuit connected to the power source, the first solenoid control circuit including a first solenoid coil and a first solenoid control switch that controls a flow current through the first solenoid coil and a first regenerative drive circuit connected to the first solenoid control circuit and that includes a first regenerative capacitor. The first regenerative drive circuit can include a first diode bridge formed of four diodes (D1, D2, D3 and D4) and that has a positive input, a negative input, a positive output and a negative output, wherein the first regenerative capacitor is connected between the positive and negative inputs.

Abstract: A system for controlling power provided to an electronic device is disclosed herein. The system includes a switching direct current (DC) power source configured to provide an input voltage at a first frequency, a forward converter coupled to the switching DC power source, wherein the forward converter outputs a first voltage and a second voltage, a frequency multiplier coupled to the forward converter and configured to receive the first voltage as an input, a switch coupled to the frequency multiplier and configured to be driven by the frequency multiplier, wherein the switch outputs a fourth voltage, and a voltage multiplier coupled to the switch and configured to be driven by the switch, wherein the voltage multiplier receives the second voltage and outputs a fifth voltage that is greater than the second voltage.

Abstract: A system includes a transformer having a multi-phase AC input and AC phase segment outputs. A plurality of rectifiers are each connected to receive AC input from a respective one of the AC phase segment outputs. Each rectifier has a respective positive DC output and a respective negative DC output. A first interphase transformer (IPT) with a respective winding is connected to each of the positive DC outputs of the plurality of rectifiers. The windings of the first IPT are connected to an output node of a positive DC power rail. A second IPT with a respective winding is connected to each of the negative DC outputs of the plurality of rectifiers. The windings of the second IPT are connected to an output node of a negative DC power rail. A power switch is operatively connected from the positive DC power rail to the negative DC power rail.

Abstract: A system for controlling power provided to an electronic device includes a driver configured to drive the electronic device and having an on state and an off state. The system further includes a sensor configured to detect detected electrical data corresponding to electricity provided to the driver. The system further includes a controller configured to compare the detected electrical data to a threshold electrical value and to determine a fault condition in response to the detected electrical data being greater than or equal to the threshold electrical value and to turn the driver to the off state in response to the controller determining the fault condition.

Abstract: An inverter system includes an inverter having a plurality of switching elements arranged with at least three levels, where the inverter is configured to receive a direct current input and output an alternating current to three phases. The inverter system also includes a controller configured to determine a reference voltage angle based on a first voltage and a second voltage that are orthogonal components of a reference voltage and determine a sector of a space vector map of the reference voltage based on the reference voltage angle. The controller is also configured to determine an active time pair of vector states associated with on-off states of the switching elements to modulate between based on the sector and the reference voltage angle and output a carrier waveform for each of the three phases to control modulation of the switching elements to achieve the reference voltage for the three phases.

Abstract: A method is provided for monitoring a health of gasket sealing between components. The method includes determining, by a controller, an effective resistance value for a gasket between two components. The method further includes, responsive to the effective resistance value being greater than a first resistive value range of and a second resistive value range, transmitting, by the controller, an indication that the gasket needs to be replaced.

Abstract: In accordance with at least on aspect of this disclosure, a system, includes, a DC voltage input configured to provide AC voltage to a load, and a converter operatively connected between the voltage input and the load, configured to convert a DC voltage from the DC voltage input to the AC voltage. In embodiments, the converter can include a first inverter stage operatively connected between the voltage input and a diode bridge, for example, configured to connect one or more intermediate voltage levels to the load. The converter can include a second inverter stage operatively connected between the diode bridge and the load, and an interconnect switching module disposed at the second inverter stage operatively connected to control an output level of the converter at the load.

Abstract: Disclosed is a direct current power supply. The direct current power supply includes a voltage output defining a voltage rail and a ground. The direct current power supply includes a holdup capacitor operable to conduct with the voltage output. The direct current power supply includes a redundant power supply connected in series with the holdup capacitor between the voltage rail and the ground of the voltage output to provide the voltage output. The direct current power supply includes a first switch disposed between the holdup capacitor and the redundant power supply operable to create a conductive path between the holdup capacitor and the redundant power supply.

Abstract: In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a method for pulse width modulation control includes resolving a reference vector for any number of active space vectors to determine a voltage offset for the reference vector, adding the voltage offset to each active vector to determine a modified modulated signal to be added to a carrier signal, and controlling, with a control module, a switching circuit based at least in part on the modified carrier signal.

Abstract: In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a system can include a positive input line configured to connect between a voltage input and a load, and a negative input line configured to connect between the voltage input and the load. A logic module can be operatively connected to and/or configured to detect a fault (e.g., a short circuit) in either of the positive input line or the negative input line 104 between the voltage input and the load.

Abstract: A sensor in an aircraft cargo handling system may comprise a housing, an infrared light emitter, an infrared light photoreceptor, and a microprism. The sensor may be configured to detect an object in proximity to the sensor using electromagnetic waves and voltage measurements. The sensor may include a microcontroller configured to read the voltage measurements associated with infrared electromagnetic waves, compare the voltage measurements to a threshold voltage, and determine the functional condition of the sensor based on the comparison.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing current for a plurality of circuits are provided. Aspects include receiving, by a controller, a fault threshold for each circuit of the plurality of circuits, operating one or more switching circuits to output a current for each circuit of the plurality of circuits, wherein the one or more switching circuits are coupled to a constant current sources, and wherein the one or more switching circuits drive a plurality of current drive circuits, monitoring, by a fault determining circuit, a voltage across each circuit of the plurality of circuits, and determine a fault condition for a first circuit in the plurality of circuits based at least in part on the voltage across the first circuit exceeding the fault threshold for the first circuit.

Abstract: Provided are embodiments for determining solenoid plunger position by performing a method which includes generating, by a first signal circuit, a first signal based at least in part on a pull-in current value of a current applied to a solenoid coil of a solenoid. The method further includes generating, by a second signal circuit, a second signal by applying a time delay to the first signal. The method further includes comparing, by a comparator circuit, the first signal and the second signal to determine whether a plunger of the solenoid has moved within the solenoid from a first position to a second position. The method further includes, responsive to determining that the plunger of the solenoid has moved within the solenoid from the first position to the second position, reducing the current applied to the solenoid coil of the solenoid from the pull-in current value to a hold current value.

Abstract: A system for controlling power provided to an electronic device includes a driver configured to drive the electronic device and having an on state and an off state. The system further includes a sensor configured to detect detected electrical data corresponding to electricity provided to the driver. The system further includes a controller configured to compare the detected electrical data to a threshold electrical value and to determine a fault condition in response to the detected electrical data being greater than or equal to the threshold electrical value and to turn the driver to the off state in response to the controller determining the fault condition.