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: An aircraft solid state power controller comprises a feed node to be electrically connected to a primary electric power supply; a load node to be electrically connected to at least one electric load; and at least one electric switching device, in particular a solid state switching device, which is arranged between the feed node and the load node. The at least one electric switching device is switchable between an on-state, in which the at least one electric switching device provides a low-resistive electric connection between the feed node and the load node; and an off-state, in which the at least one electric switching device electrically isolates the load node from the feed node.

Abstract: A power connector for an aircraft solid state power controller includes a first portion including a socket configured for receiving an electric plug, which is inserted into the socket in a receiving direction (R). The controller also includes a second portion comprising a connection surface configured for mating with a complementary connection surface of a complementary connection element. At least one opening is formed within the connection surface.

Abstract: A power connector for an aircraft solid state power controller includes a first portion including a socket configured for receiving an electric plug, which is inserted into the socket in a receiving direction (R). The controller also includes a second portion comprising a connection surface configured for mating with a complementary connection surface of a complementary connection element. At least one opening is formed within the connection surface.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method that provides active damping at the input of a motor drive system without the need for the hardware used in conventional and RC damping circuits. According to the disclosure a virtual damping network is realised at the input of the motor drive system based on modification of field-oriented control, FOC. More specifically, a control algorithm creates a virtual damping impedance at the motor drive input by applying a damping algorithm to both q and d components of the motor current.

Abstract: A cargo handling system includes a power drive unit (PDU) configured to transport cargo within an aircraft. The cargo handling system further includes a cargo control unit (CCU) configured to output control data for controlling operation of the PDU. The cargo handling system further includes a power control unit (PCU) coupled to the PDU and the CCU. The PCU is designed to receive alternating current (AC) electrical power from a power source, convert the AC electrical power into direct current (DC) electrical power, receive the control data from the CCU, generate an output signal including the DC electrical power and the control data, and transmit the output signal to the PDU.

Abstract: A power converter gate driver arrangement for providing a power output and a switching output for switching, in use, one or more switching devices, wherein the switching devices are controlled from a digital core via isolated point-to-point RF drivers. The gate driver uses UHF band technology to transmit both signal and power through a low capacitance single resonator by signal and power modulation. Power is transmitted in a continuous manner.

Abstract: A power electronics arrangement may comprise a power supply, a controller configured to receive a power from the power supply and generate an output signal, a waveguide, a receiver, filter, and converter (RFC) configured to receive the output signal via the waveguide, the RFC configured to generate a switching signal from the output signal, and a power switching device (PSD) configured to receive the switching signal from the RFC, wherein the controller transmits the output signal to the RFC through the waveguide via a transponder, the waveguide is coupled between the transponder and the RFC, and the PSD is galvanically isolated from the power supply.

Abstract: A power converter gate driver arrangement for providing a power output and a switching output for switching, in use, one or more switching devices, wherein the switching devices are controlled from a digital core via isolated point-to-point RF drivers. The gate driver uses UHF band technology to transmit both signal and power through a low capacitance single resonator by signal and power modulation. Power is transmitted in a continuous manner.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method that provides active damping at the input of a motor drive system without the need for the hardware used in conventional and RC damping circuits. According to the disclosure a virtual damping network is realised at the input of the motor drive system based on modification of field-oriented control, FOC. More specifically, a control algorithm creates a virtual damping impedance at the motor drive input by applying a damping algorithm to both q and d components of the motor current.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electronic power system comprising a power controller comprising a wireless transmitter and a plurality of power cells, each power cell comprising a wireless receiver for receiving wirelessly transmitted signals from the power controller, wherein each power cell is configured to generate a respective power output based on receiving a signal from the power controller, and wherein an output of the electronic power system is determined from the respective power outputs of at least some of the plurality of power cells. The electronic power system may be used to drive a motor or an actuatable element e.g. within an aircraft.

Abstract: A cargo handling system includes a power drive unit (PDU) configured to transport cargo within an aircraft. The cargo handling system further includes a cargo control unit (CCU) configured to output control data for controlling operation of the PDU. The cargo handling system further includes a power control unit (PCU) coupled to the PDU and the CCU. The PCU is designed to receive alternating current (AC) electrical power from a power source, convert the AC electrical power into direct current (DC) electrical power, receive the control data from the CCU, generate an output signal including the DC electrical power and the control data, and transmit the output signal to the PDU.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an inductor comprising a primary winding. The inductor further comprises a secondary winding wound around the same core as the primary winding. The secondary winding is connected to an excitation stage that causes the secondary winding to selectively generate flux at one or more frequencies in order to vary the magnetic behaviour of the inductor.

Abstract: A power electronics arrangement may comprise a power supply, a controller configured to receive a power from the power supply and generate an output signal, a waveguide, a receiver, filter, and converter (RFC) configured to receive the output signal via the waveguide, the RFC configured to generate a switching signal from the output signal, and a power switching device (PSD) configured to receive the switching signal from the RFC, wherein the controller transmits the output signal to the RFC through the waveguide via a transponder, the waveguide is coupled between the transponder and the RFC, and the PSD is galvanically isolated from the power supply.

Abstract: A power converter unit comprising a rectifier arranged to receive AC input from a variable or fixed frequency AC power source and an active power filter with an adaptive control algorithm connected as a shunt between the AC input and the rectifier.

Abstract: A power supply apparatus for an aerospace actuator includes motor drive electronics for actuation of a motor for control of the aerospace actuator, and an energy storage device. The motor drive electronics are configured to receive input electrical energy from an aircraft power grid, receive electrical energy from the energy storage device and provide electrical energy from the grid and/or from the energy storage device to the motor. The energy storage device is configured to store at least one of: excess electrical energy supplied to the motor drive electronics from the grid and regenerated electrical energy from the motor drive electronics. The energy storage device is configured to discharge the stored energy as electrical energy to the motor drive electronics when required.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a power switch that can be switched by a logic source in an ON or an OFF state. The switch comprises a component to output an optical signal responsive to the control signal and an optical sensitive device to react to the optical signal and self-conducting JFET in cascode configuration with the optical sensitive device.

Abstract: Platforms and techniques are provided for controlling a power inverter using space vector pulse width modulation (PWM) operation. The inverter converts a direct voltage (DC) power source to an alternating voltage (AC) output by controlling a set of three phase switches. A bootstrap capacitor is coupled to each switch. When each switch in the set of three phase switches is in a zero state, the coupled bootstrap capacitor can charge from the current delivered in a corresponding pulse width modulation (PWM) signal. The bootstrap capacitor can deliver stored power when a one (high) switch state is entered. Each switch can be maintained at a zero state, and thus charge the bootstrap capacitor, for at least two consecutive segments of the PWM cycle. Pre-charging of the bootstrap capacitor is ensured before power delivery is required.

Abstract: A power converter unit comprising a rectifier arranged to receive AC input from a variable or fixed frequency AC power source and an active power filter with an adaptive control algorithm connected as a shunt between the AC input and the rectifier.

Abstract: A method of conducting smooth motor startup is provided and includes operating a motor in an open loop control scheme at startup, operating the motor in a closed loop sensorless control scheme at a time after startup and transitioning between the open loop control scheme and the closed loop control scheme by reducing a difference between an estimated rotor angle of the motor and a commanded ramping angle of the motor.