Abstract: A method for isolating an electrical fault in a floating High Voltage direct current (DC) system is provided. The method includes receiving a measurement of an output voltage of a High Voltage DC bus and receiving a measurement of a load current for each of a plurality of channels coupled to the High Voltage DC bus. The method also includes, when the output voltage is determined to be out of balance, comparing the measurement of the load current of each of the plurality of channels in the frequency domain, and, flagging one channel of the plurality of channels as a faulty channel based on the comparing the measurement of the load currents in the frequency domain.

Abstract: A mode of a rectifier may be changed between at least fully passive and fully synchronous based upon direct current (DC) output by the rectifier and/or direct current voltage output by the rectifier. This extends the range of direct current output by the rectifier for a given range of DC voltage output by the rectifier.

Abstract: A secondary power distribution box (SPDB), solid state power controller (SSPC) line replacement module or printed board assembly (LRM/PBA), integrated power distribution and avionics system, and method of power distribution are disclosed. For example, the method includes receiving electrical power from a power source at a power feeder network, communicating with at least one load of a plurality of loads at least in part over the power feeder network, and coupling the electrical power to the at least one load of the plurality of loads in response to the communicating.

Abstract: A secondary power distribution box (SPDB), solid state power controller (SSPC) line replacement module or printed board assembly (LRM/PBA), integrated power distribution and avionics system, and method of power distribution are disclosed. For example, the method includes receiving electrical power from a power source at a power feeder network, communicating with at least one load of a plurality of loads at least in part over the power feeder network, and coupling the electrical power to the at least one load of the plurality of loads in response to the communicating.

Abstract: A solid state power controller (SSPC) for an electrical power distribution system (EPDS), the SSPC may include a solid state switching device (SSSD) configured to interrupt current in a feeder line of the EPDS and a processing engine. A clamping device may be interposed between the feeder line and an electrical ground of the EPDS, An opto-coupler may be interposed between the processing engine and the clamping device. The opto-coupler may coupled to the clamping device to provide a lightning-detected signal to the processing engine only when a voltage drop develops across the clamping device. The processing engine may be constrained from commanding an alteration of state of the SSSD upon receiving the lightning-detected signal.

Abstract: A solid state power controller (SSPC) for an electrical power distribution system (EPDS), the SSPC may include a solid state switching device (SSSD) configured to interrupt current in a feeder line of the EPDS and a processing engine. A clamping device may be interposed between the feeder line and an electrical ground of the EPDS, An opto-coupler may be interposed between the processing engine and the clamping device. The opto-coupler may coupled to the clamping device to provide a lightning-detected signal to the processing engine only when a voltage drop develops across the clamping device. The processing engine may be constrained from commanding an alteration of state of the SSSD upon receiving the lightning-detected signal.

Abstract: An electrical power distribution system (EPDS) for an aircraft, the EPDS may include a DC bus, a power source port, a solid state power controller (SSPC) of a first type interposed between the power source port and the DC bus, at least one load port and an SSPC of a second type interposed between the load port and the DC bus. Power input to the SSPC of the first type may be connected to a unidirectional solid state switching device (SSSD) of the SSPC of the first type. The SSPC of the first type may have forward and reverse current conducting capability and forward and reverse current blocking capability. Power input to the SSPC of the second type may be connected to a unidirectional SSSD of the SSPC of the second type. The SSPC of the second type may have forward and reverse current conducting capability and capability of blocking current from only one direction.

Abstract: High-power power distribution in an aircraft may use solid state power controller (SSPC) technology. A conventional electromechanical contactor may be used, in series, with a solid state switching device (SSSD) to achieve high-power power distribution. Since the electromechanical contactor does not need to be rated for arc handlings during normal SSPC operation, the electromechanical contactor may be simplified, resulting in cost, weight, volume, and failure rate reductions. The power distribution apparatus and methods of the present invention may be applicable for both alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) applications and can be modified to form a three phase SSPC.

Abstract: A data storage device having different operating modes is disclosed. The data storage device comprises a processor, a command execution module, and an error response module. The command execution module is configured to receive commands from the processor, execute the commands, and report status information to the processor. The error response module comprises a programmable register configured to store one of a plurality of different error response types for each of a plurality of errors, wherein the error response module is configured to receive a report of one of the errors, and to output an error response signal to the command execution module based on the error response type in the register corresponding to the reported error. The processor is configured to reprogram at least one of the error response types in the register for at least one of the errors when the data storage device switches operating modes.

Abstract: A system that drives multiple MOSFETs in parallel for direct current and alternating current solid state power controller applications may include networks connected to the gates of the MOSFETs to protect the MOSFETs from being damaged during high current interruption. For direct current applications, the system may include a switching protection and damping network and a gate drive balancing network. For alternating current applications, the system may include two switching protection and damping networks and a gate drive balancing network.

Abstract: Pre-charge circuitry allows capacitive loads connected to a solid state power controller to be gradually charged up by a PWM, generated with a cycle by cycle current limit, switching a single MOSFET in series with an inductor, before the SSPC is turned on. The pre-charge circuitry may require only three additional components, e.g., a MOSFET, an inductor and a diode, along with a designated MOSFET gate driver.

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 electrical power distribution system (EPDS) for an aircraft, the EPDS may include a DC bus, a power source port, a solid state power controller (SSPC) of a first type interposed between the power source port and the DC bus, at least one load port and an SSPC of a second type interposed between the load port and the DC bus. Power input to the SSPC of the first type may be connected to a unidirectional solid state switching device (SSSD) of the SSPC of the first type. The SSPC of the first type may have forward and reverse current conducting capability and forward and reverse current blocking capability. Power input to the SSPC of the second type may be connected to a unidirectional SSSD of the SSPC of the second type. The SSPC of the second type may have forward and reverse current conducting capability and capability of blocking current from only one direction.

Abstract: A method of creating a network-initiated secondary packet data service instance includes sending a content request for application data from a mobile station to an application function through an access network. The method further includes sending a request for a secondary packet data service instance from the application function to a policy function, and evaluating the request for a secondary packet data service instance and determining one or more operational attributes from the evaluation. The method also includes creating the secondary packet data service instance between the application function to the mobile station by arranging one or more network components as a function of the one or more operational attributes. The method further includes transmitting the application data from the application function to the mobile station via the secondary packet data service instance.

Abstract: A protected electrical power system may comprise a feeder between a power source and an electrical load. A first current transformer may be positioned on the feeder in a first location. The first current transformer may have a shunt resistor electrically connected across its winding. A second current transformer may be positioned at a second location on the feeder. A control unit may be interposed between the first and second current transformers and may be interconnected with the first and second current transformers on current-monitoring loops independent from the feeder. The control unit may be responsive to a predetermined differential in feeder (DF) current between the first and second current transformers to disconnect the power source from the electrical load. The control unit may have a compensation network for reducing DF error resulting from presence of the shunt resistor in the first current transformer.

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 aircraft engine starting system may comprise a starter motor, a start controller for controlling the starter motor to operate with a desired torque output, and a processor for determining torque profiles for the starter motor. The processor may provide an initial torque profile responsively to ambient condition of the engine. The processor may also provide modifications to the initial torque profile responsively to temperature of the start controller.

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 system and method are disclosed for regulating a generator controlled power signal. An exemplary embodiment of the system may include both a digital voltage regulator and an analog voltage regulator and a selector switch configured to switch modulation control between the digital and analog voltage regulators. A watchdog detection circuit may be included for detecting an upsetting event in the digital voltage regulator and may trigger switching of the generator excitation input voltage modulation from the digital voltage regulator to the analog voltage regulator. An exemplary embodiment of the method may include modulating the generator excitation input voltage using the digital voltage regulator, detecting an occurrence of an upsetting event in the digital voltage regulator, disabling the digital voltage regulator, and switching modulation of the generator excitation input voltage to the analog voltage regulator.

Abstract: A high voltage direct current (HVDC) power distribution system comprises at least one power bus; at least one load conductor; and a hybrid contactor for interconnecting the at least one power bus and the at least one load conductor and through which inductive energy passes upon disconnection of the at least one load conductor from the at least one power bus. A first portion of the inductive energy passes through the hybrid contactor as an arc. A second portion of the inductive energy passes through the hybrid contactor as resistively dissipated heat.