Abstract: Disclosed are a leaf vein flow channel bionic air-cooled fuel cell module supporting lung air intake, and a method thereof. A circular columnar stack is arranged in a cylindrical impeller and is placed in a cylindrical sealing volute, such that the circular columnar stack is suitable for the cylindrical body structure of drones and unmanned submersibles. A cathode surface and an anode surface are integrated on a same bipolar plate. The cathode surface adopts a mesh vein distribution pattern imitating veins of a lotus leaf, and the anode surface adopts a distribution pattern imitating veins of a banana leaf. In this way, even diffusion of gas is facilitated, and gas reaction is even. In addition, parasitic power consumed by a motor driving an impeller is small.

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 power line communication and real-time wiring fault location system includes a power distribution system, a plurality of solid-state power controllers, and a communication and fault location determination circuit. The power distribution system includes an upstream power feeder line and a plurality of load-end feeder lines. Each solid-state power controller is associated with a different one of the load-end feeder lines and is configured to selectively couple its associated load-end feeder line to the upstream power feeder line and detect an electrical fault on its associated load-end feeder line or in an electrical load to which the associated load-end feeder line is coupled. The communication and fault location determination circuit is coupled to each of the load-end feeder lines and is configured, in response to a channel selection command, to selectively transmit a fault location stimulation signal onto one of the load-end feeder lines.

Abstract: Devices, methods, and systems for localizing a fault on a live cable are described herein. One system includes a wire fault localizer configured to receive current information from a location where direct current is applied to a cable comprising a number of loads, receive additional current information from at least two additional locations on the cable, wherein one of the at least two additional locations is on a source side of the cable and one of the at least two additional locations is on a load side of the cable, determine a fault resistance of the cable based on the received current information and received additional current information, and determine a fault distance on the cable based on the fault resistance.

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: Devices, methods, and systems for localizing a fault on a live cable are described herein. One system includes a wire fault localizer configured to receive current information from a location where direct current is applied to a cable comprising a number of loads, receive additional current information from at least two additional locations on the cable, wherein one of the at least two additional locations is on a source side of the cable and one of the at least two additional locations is on a load side of the cable, determine a fault resistance of the cable based on the received current information and received additional current information, and determine a fault distance on the cable based on the fault resistance.

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 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: A method is provided for diagnosing an aircraft. The method includes: determining a location of a fault in the aircraft; determining a zone of the aircraft that is associated with the location of the fault; and generating an interactive three-dimensional user interface based on the zone, wherein the interactive three-dimensional user interface provides fault data of at least one of historical faults and current faults associated with the zone.

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 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: Hidden or overlapped peaks may occur when using SSTDR technology to determine ware faults. These hidden/overlapped peaks may cause false negative determinations (no fault) when testing a wire for faults. In one method of the present invention, the symmetrical property of the SSTDR wave envelope is used to resolve hidden/overlapped peaks. In another method of the present invention, the calibrated normalized loop back SSTDR wave envelope may be used to resolve hidden/overlapped peaks.

Abstract: A coordinated arc fault protection scheme in a hierarchical power distribution system is disclosed. The methods according to embodiments of the present invention may be considered an “event and time graded” analysis. In event and time based analysis, the number of confirmed arc signature may be monitored with respect to time in the main feeder line as well as the branched feeders. The confirmed arc signature in the branched feeder, as well as in the main feeder, may be captured and time stamped. A trip command may be issued first in the intended branched feeder if the branched feeder experiences a minimum number of events within a given time. During the same time period, the main feeder also monitors similar arcing events. If the tripping of the branched feeder occurs and the main feeder still detects arcing events, the main feeder may be tripped after a certain period of time or a certain number of confirmed arc signature.

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.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrical power distribution system that includes a first primary distribution panel (PDP) connected to a first source of electrical power and a second PDP connected to a second source of electrical power. The second PDP is connected to the first PDP by a conductor. A first solid state power controller (SSPC) receives signals corresponding to the flow of current through the first PDP to a load. A second SSPC receives signals corresponding to the flow of current between the first PDP and the second PDP. The first and second SSPC protect the electrical power distribution system from a variety of fault conditions.