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: 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 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: A method for coordinating engine operation with electrical power extraction in a more electric vehicle provided. The method includes: receiving, by an engine control (120), a command for power output reduction of an engine (140); waiting until a predetermined event occurs to request, by the engine control (120), the power output reduction of the engine (140); reducing or completely switching off, by an electrical energy management system (110), at least one load (180) applied to a high-speed spool generator (146) connected to a high-speed spool (142) of the engine (140); reducing the power output reduction of the engine (140); and shifting power extraction from the high-speed spool generator (146) to a low-speed spool generator (148) connected to a low-speed spool (144) of the engine (140).

Abstract: An apparatus performs mechanical phase synchronization of multiple AC generators in an electrical power distribution system. The apparatus according to one embodiment comprises a gearbox mechanically coupled to a prime mover, multiple AC generators, each having a rotor driven by mechanical energy from the prime mover supplied via the gearbox to generate AC electrical power, and a mechanical linkage keying orientation of each rotor to the gearbox, thereby mechanically synchronizing phase of the multiple AC generators.

Abstract: An electrical circuit protection system provides circuit protection in an electrical power distribution system. The electrical circuit protection system according to one embodiment comprises: an automatic reset circuit breaker; a commutation module electrically connected to the automatic reset circuit breaker; and a controller that sets a state of the commutation module based on detected state of the automatic reset circuit breaker and externally input commands.

Abstract: A system (200) for distributing electrical power, includes: a first high voltage AC power distributing unit (210a) including a first high voltage AC bus (214a-1, 214a-2), which is selectively connected to a first high voltage AC generator (224a), and a first start bus (212a); a second high voltage AC power distributing unit (210b) including a second high voltage AC bus (214b-1, 214b-2), which is selectively connected to a second high voltage AC generator (224b), and a second start bus (212b); a first high voltage DC power distributing unit (240a) including, a first high voltage DC bus (246a), and a second high voltage DC power distributing unit (240b) including a second high voltage DC bus (246b). The first high voltage AC bus (214a-1, 214a-2) is selectively connectable to the second high voltage AC bus (214b-1, 214b-2), such that the system (200) provides redundancy for high voltage power distribution.

Abstract: An electrical power distribution system is provided. The electrical power distribution system includes: a first AC power source (1a); a second AC power source (1b); a first DC bus (6a); a first AC to DC rectifier (5a); a second AC to DC rectifier (5b); and an electrical load management control unit (8). The first AC power source (1a) is connected to the first DC bus (6a) via the first AC to DC rectifier (5a). The second AC power source (1b) is connected to the first DC bus (6a) via the second AC to DC rectifier (5b). The electrical load management control unit (8) shifts power extraction between the first and second AC power sources (1a,1b) by changing an AC voltage output of one of the first and second AC power sources (1a, 1b) relative to an AC voltage output of the other of the first and second AC power sources (1a, 1b), thereby changing an DC voltage output to the first DC bus (6a) from one of the first and second AC to DC rectifiers (5a, 5b).

Abstract: An electrical energy management system (100) for a more electrical vehicle is provided. The electrical energy management system (100) includes a vehicle operation system (120) for controlling operation of the more electrical vehicle; an electrical system (140) for controlling electrical power generation, conversion, distribution and aero system utilities of the more electrical vehicle; a first controller (102); and a second controller (104) redundant to the first controller (102). The second controller (104) is coupled to the first controller (102) via an inter-controller data bus (106). Each of the first and second controllers (102, 104) is coupled to the vehicle operation system (120) via a vehicle data bus (108). Each of the first and second controllers (102, 104) is coupled to the electrical system (140) via a local data bus (110). The first and second controllers (102, 104) process same data in a first operation mode and process different data in a second operation mode.