Abstract: A ground fault interruption (GFI) system is incorporated onto a DSP based LRM of an aerospace vehicle. The GFI system operates with digital controls and, unlike the prior art, the system does not employ current transformers. Synchronization pulses are employed to coordinate instantaneous current measurement samplings in each phase of a multi-phase power system. Coordinated sampling may reduce phase angle current differential errors and improve operational precision of the GFI system.

Abstract: An electrical overload protection system may be based on a solid state control system. A solid state switch may open responsively to commands for a solid-state controller. The controller may perform calculations to determine accumulated energy in a protected conductor. The calculations may be based, in part, on samplings of current in the protected conductor and ambient temperature to which the conductor may be exposed.

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: An electrical power distribution system includes a data bus, separate from the main aircraft data bus, internal to the aircraft electrical power distribution system and an electric power control unit (EPCU) in communication with the internal data bus. Primary and emergency power distribution subsystems include line replaceable modules (LRM) connected in the aircraft electrical power distribution system as electrical load control units (ELCU), each having a common supervisory control interface in communication with the internal data bus, while a secondary power distribution subsystem includes LRMs connected in the aircraft electrical power distribution system as solid state power control (SSPC) units, each having the common supervisory control interface in communication with the internal data bus. The common supervisory control interfaces all execute a common supervisory control logic for receiving commutation commands from the EPCU and providing status back to the EPCU.

Abstract: On an aircraft, primary power distribution control and secondary power distribution control may be performed with a single line replaceable module (LRM) having an integrated architecture. The LRM may be provided with trip engines that are based on digital signal processors (DSP's). The DSP's may be programmed to allow the trip engines to perform either ELCU functions or SSPC functions. Use of the single LRM precludes a need for complex circuitry that might otherwise be required to coordinate prior-art independent ELCU and SSPC controls.

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: The present invention provides an overload protection circuit having a first switch connected at a first side to a source of electrical power and at a second side to a load, the switch having on and off modes and a second switch connected between the first switch second side and ground, the second switch having on and off modes. A control module generates at least one signal controlling the first switch mode and the second switch mode wherein the signal turns the second switch to the off mode when turning the first switch to the on mode and the signal turning the second switch to an on mode when turning the first switch to the off mode. Both over current and leakage protection are thereby achieved.

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: An electrical overload protection system may be based on a solid state control system. A solid state switch may open responsively to commands for a solid-state controller. The controller may perform calculations to determine accumulated energy in a protected conductor. The calculations may be based, in part, on samplings of current in the protected conductor and ambient temperature to which the conductor may be exposed.

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: The present invention provides an overload protection circuit having a first switch connected at a first side to a source of electrical power and at a second side to a load, the switch having on and off modes and a second switch connected between the first switch second side and ground, the second switch having on and off modes. A control module generates at least one signal controlling the first switch mode and the second switch mode wherein the signal turns the second switch to the off mode when turning the first switch to the on mode and the signal turning the second switch to an on mode when turning the first switch to the off mode. Both over current and leakage protection are thereby achieved.

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: On an aircraft, primary power distribution control and secondary power distribution control may be performed with a single line replaceable module (LRM) having an integrated architecture. The LRM may be provided with trip engines that are based on digital signal processors (DSP's). The DSP's may be programmed to allow the trip engines to perform either ELCU functions or SSPC functions. Use of the single LRM precludes a need for complex circuitry that might otherwise be required to coordinate prior-art independent ELCU and SSPC controls.

Abstract: An electrical power distribution system includes a data bus, separate from the main aircraft data bus, internal to the aircraft electrical power distribution system and an electric power control unit (EPCU) in communication with the internal data bus. Primary and emergency power distribution subsystems include line replaceable modules (LRM) connected in the aircraft electrical power distribution system as electrical load control units (ELCU), each having a common supervisory control interface in communication with the internal data bus, while a secondary power distribution subsystem includes LRMs connected in the aircraft electrical power distribution system as solid state power control (SSPC) units, each having the common supervisory control interface in communication with the internal data bus. The common supervisory control interfaces all execute a common supervisory control logic for receiving commutation commands from the EPCU and providing status back to the EPCU.

Abstract: A ground fault interruption (GFI) system is incorporated onto a DSP based LRM of an aerospace vehicle. The GFI system operates with digital controls and, unlike the prior art, the system does not employ current transformers. Synchronization pulses are employed to coordinate instantaneous current measurement samplings in each phase of a multi-phase power system. Coordinated sampling may reduce phase angle current differential errors and improve operational precision of the GFI system.

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: 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).