Abstract: An apparatus is provided that includes a string of power sources and step-down circuitry. The power sources are connected in series to provide a first voltage rail at a first voltage, and the string of power sources is divided into power-source segments. The step-down circuitry electrically is configured to provide a second voltage rail at a second, lesser voltage. The step-down circuitry includes control circuitry configured to monitor states of charge of the power-source segments, and control selection of one of the power-source segments to deliver an output from which the second voltage rail is provided, based on the states of charge. One or more first electronic components are electrically coupled to the first voltage rail, and designed to operate at the first voltage. And one or more second electronic components are electrically coupled to the second voltage rail, and designed to operate at the second voltage.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided that includes a string of power sources and step-down circuitry. The power sources are connected in series to provide a first voltage rail at a first voltage, and the string of power sources is divided into power-source segments. The step-down circuitry electrically is configured to provide a second voltage rail at a second, lesser voltage. The step-down circuitry includes control circuitry configured to monitor states of charge of the power-source segments, and control selection of one of the power-source segments to deliver an output from which the second voltage rail is provided, based on the states of charge. One or more first electronic components are electrically coupled to the first voltage rail, and designed to operate at the first voltage. And one or more second electronic components are electrically coupled to the second voltage rail, and designed to operate at the second voltage.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided that includes a basic structure; and coupled to the basic structure, a plurality of power sources, a propulsion system and power distribution circuitry. The propulsion system includes a plurality of electric motors configured to power a plurality of propulsors to generate propulsive forces that cause the vehicle to move. The power distribution circuitry is configured to deliver direct current electric power from the plurality of power sources to the plurality of electric motors. The power distribution circuitry electrically couples the plurality of power sources to the plurality of electric motors in an interleaved topology in which electric motors of the plurality of electric motors are alternately, electrically coupled to power sources of the plurality of power sources. Each of the electric motors in the interleaved topology is electrically coupled to a different one of the power sources than immediately adjacent ones of the electric motors.

Abstract: A method and apparatuses transform the electrical energy from multiple sources to grid compliant AC voltage. The apparatus according to one embodiment comprises: multiple energy sources (GES 1 to m in FIG. 1) from various power conversion devices; controllers (GER 1 to m in FIG. 1) pumping the maximum available electrical power to the DC inter-source bus; a hybrid inter-source DC bus carrying the electrical power from controllers to inverters and load level information among inverters; and inverters (CNT 1 to k) converting the DC power from the inter-source DC bus to grid compliant AC power.

Abstract: A power line communication-based aircraft power distribution system may allow for both power line communication (PLC) technology and spread spectrum time domain reflectometry (SSTDR) technology to be utilized in aircraft power distribution systems to achieve key maintenance functions. Unlike conventional power distribution systems, which may, for example, use only SSTDR for fault detection, the present invention includes a hardware platform that may allow both the PLC and the SSTDR to be utilized in aircraft power distribution systems to achieve key maintenance functions, such as real time wire fault location, and cost and weight savings. Further, unlike conventional power distribution systems, which may only detect and locate damage in feeder conductor wire sections before the power is applied to the load, the power distribution system of the present invention may permit real time wire fault location.

Abstract: A contactor may operate to interrupt current in a circuit while the circuit is operating under load. A shunt is provided to by-pass surge power current around contacts to reduce arcing. The shunt includes a solid-state switch that may be operated in a series of pulses during movement of the contacts. The pulse control unit may detect a potential for arcing and then provide for periodic pulsing operation of the shunt. Because the solid-state switch may operate discontinuously, the contactor may be constructed with a switch that is selected on a basis of its pulse rating.

Abstract: An AC/DC power converter has, as its first stage, a capacitor divider and rectifier and, as the second stage, a switch mode power supply. This configuration may be suitable for low power low voltage aerospace applications. The benefits of the circuit may include small reactive component size; near sinusoidal input current, low EMI emissions resulting from low inrush current; intrinsic current limiting that may eliminate the need for short circuit protection; and low overall component count.

Abstract: A unified control solution for both bridgeless power factor controllers and grid connected inverters is disclosed. Conventionally, the bridgeless power factor controllers and the grid connected inverters are controlled with different approaches. In the present invention, it is disclosed that the two kinds of applications can be controlled with one unified approach. With the disclosed method, one single integrated circuit can be made and be used in both applications. Firstly, a sample based controller is disclosed to derive the ac current reference from the ac voltage and the dc voltage. The ac current reference is forced to be proportional to the ac voltage. The proportion coefficient is derived from the dc voltage in such a way to keep the dc voltage constant. Furthermore, the coefficient is updated only once every half ac line cycle. So as long as the ac current follows the current reference, the dc voltage will be regulated to a constant, and the ac current will be pure sinusoidal.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses implement a thermal memory effect for a solid state power controller. A solid state power controller trip apparatus with thermal memory according to one embodiment comprises: a trip module including a first capacitor (156) and a counter (174), wherein the first capacitor (156) charges multiple times, when an over current event occurs, and the counter (174) accumulates a count related to the charging of the first capacitor (156) for the multiple times, to detect a trip condition; and a discharging module connected to the trip module, the discharging module including a resistor (166) and a second capacitor (158), wherein an electrical parameter associated with the count decays with time using the resistor (166) and the second capacitor (158).

Abstract: An electrical power distribution system comprises a solid state power controller in communication with an aircraft system main data bus via a gateway module and a condition based maintenance module in communication with the solid state power controller via a communication network distinct from the main data bus. A method of load/feeder health assessment for an electrical power distribution system includes applying a controlled excitation to a load; sampling information from the load/feeder system for the load; characterizing a normal behavior of the load/feeder system for the load; determining if the load characteristics are within the normal behavior profile for the load; and shutting down power to the load if load characteristics are not within the profile when immediate action is indicated or generating a health message for the load when immediate action is not required.

Abstract: A system and method for control of an electric power distribution system is provided, which uses a communication network for centralized monitoring and control of the supply of electricity to a load. In one embodiment, the invention may use a wireless communication system connecting control nodes and master nodes to control and monitor a solid state power controller. As a result, the master node may remotely turn on and off the electrical power to the load. Also the control node may sense the current being supplied to the load and may turn off the supply of electrical power in the event of an over current situation. The control node may also report the state of the sensed current to the master node. In another embodiment, the communication system may be a power line carrier network.

Abstract: A power line communication-based aircraft power distribution system may allow for both power line communication (PLC) technology and spread spectrum time domain reflectometry (SSTDR) technology to be utilized in aircraft power distribution systems to achieve key maintenance functions. Unlike conventional power distribution systems, which may, for example, use only SSTDR for fault detection, the present invention includes a hardware platform that may allow both the PLC and the SSTDR to be utilized in aircraft power distribution systems to achieve key maintenance functions, such as real time wire fault location, and cost and weight savings. Further, unlike conventional power distribution systems, which may only detect and locate damage in feeder conductor wire sections before the power is applied to the load, the power distribution system of the present invention may permit real time wire fault location.

Abstract: A contactor may operate to interrupt current in a circuit while the circuit is operating under load. A shunt is provided to by-pass surge power current around contacts to reduce arcing. The shunt includes a solid-state switch that may be operated in a series of pulses during movement of the contacts. The pulse control unit may detect a potential for arcing and then provide for periodic pulsing operation of the shunt. Because the solid-state switch may operate discontinuously, the contactor may be constructed with a switch that is selected on a basis of its pulse rating.

Abstract: An AC/DC power converter has, as its first stage, a capacitor divider and rectifier and, as the second stage, a switch mode power supply. This configuration may be suitable for low power low voltage aerospace applications. The benefits of the circuit may include small reactive component size; near sinusoidal input current, low EMI emissions resulting from low inrush current; intrinsic current limiting that may eliminate the need for short circuit protection; and low overall component count.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for shunting leakage current of a solid state switching device (SSSD) (10). The apparatus selectively provides a shunt pathway to divert current away from the output load based on the switching state of the SSSD. The apparatus may include a shunt impedance component (14) connected to the SSSD, and a switching element (16) for selectively connecting the other end of the shunt impedance component to ground based on the switching state of the SSSD. Accordingly, when the SSSD is turned off, the switching element is switched to a state that connects the shunt impedance component to ground, thereby shunting leakage current.

Abstract: Redundant functionality is implemented in a control of solid state power switching controller (SSPC) (1) to ensure that each power switching channel operates according to a default configuration in case of failure. Each power switching channel in the SSPC includes a solid state switching device (SSSD) (120) that is controlled by a supervisory controller (10) to perform power switching functions for a corresponding load. The SSPC further includes a nonvolatile memory device (44) that stores default commands for controlling the SSSDs in case the SSPC enters into a backup mode, e.g., due to a failure in the supervisory controller. The nonvolatile memory device may be assembled on the same SSPC circuit board as the power switching channels, thereby ensuring that backup control is performed locally in the SSPC device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus detect arc faults. The method and apparatus may digitally detect current and voltage signals at a master node (111) positioned at a first point in a wiring system (131). At a second point in the wiring system (131), a slave node (122) may digitally detect current and voltage signals. An arc fault that develops between the first and second points in the wiring system (131) may be detected by comparing the current signals from the master node (111) and from the slave node (122), and comparing the voltage signals from the master node (111) and from the slave node (122).

Abstract: A system and method for control of an electric power distribution system is provided, which uses a communication network for centralized monitoring and control of the supply of electricity to a load. In one embodiment, the invention may use a wireless communication system connecting control nodes and master nodes to control and monitor a solid state power controller. As a result, the master node may remotely turn on and off the electrical power to the load. Also the control node may sense the current being supplied to the load and may turn off the supply of electrical power in the event of an over current situation. The control node may also report the state of the sensed current to the master node. In another embodiment, the communication system may be a power line carrier network.

Abstract: An electrical power distribution system comprises a solid state power controller in communication with an aircraft system main data bus via a gateway module and a condition based maintenance module in communication with the solid state power controller via a communication network distinct from the main data bus. A method of load/feeder health assessment for an electrical power distribution system includes applying a controlled excitation to a load; sampling information from the load/feeder system for the load; characterizing a normal behavior of the load/feeder system for the load; determining if the load characteristics are within the normal behavior profile for the load; and shutting down power to the load if load characteristics are not within the profile when immediate action is indicated or generating a health message for the load when immediate action is not required.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for shunting leakage current of a solid state switching device (SSSD) (10). The apparatus selectively provides a shunt pathway to divert current away from the output load based on the switching state of the SSSD. The apparatus may include a shunt impedance component (14) connected to the SSSD, and a switching element (16) for selectively connecting the other end of the shunt impedance component to ground based on the switching state of the SSSD. Accordingly, when the SSSD is turned off, the switching element is switched to a state that connects the shunt impedance component to ground, thereby shunting leakage current.