Amazon Technologies, Inc.

Andrew Lueneburg

Xiaoqi Wang

Frederic Pierre Lacaux

Lizon Maharjan

Dean Joseph Brestel

Marc Ian Feifel

Tausif Husain

Jianqi Shang

Larry W Juang

Described are systems and methods for monitoring and managing power sharing across multiple loads connected to a shared direct current (DC) bus. Embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented to monitor and manage power sharing between multiple propulsion mechanisms (e.g., motors) of an aerial vehicle, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). One or more shape functions establishing current limits as a function of the DC bus voltage may be determined for each load (e.g., propulsion mechanism/motor) of the multiple loads (e.g., propulsion mechanisms/motors) connected to the DC bus, and the current consumed by each load can be limited based on the DC bus voltage and each shape function.

Power limiting control for shared DC bus loads

Described are systems and methods for providing fault tolerant drivers for electric motors. Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a single power electronics unit and/or ESC that is configured to drive more than one electric motor. According to exemplary embodiments, each power electronics unit and/or ESC may be connected to more than one electric motor (e.g., three electric motors, etc.) and each power electronics unit and/or ESC may be configured to drive and/or control a single phase of multiple electric motors. This can facilitate two-phase mode operation in the event of a faulty power electronics unit and/or ESC, thereby facilitating continued operation of the affected electric motors. Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can also provide alternate modes of operation for the electric motors that are operating in two-phase mode to mitigate thermal stresses that may be experienced by the power electronics and/or the electric motors during two-phase operation.

Fault tolerant motor driver

Described are systems and methods for providing a fault tolerant electrical power system that is configured to continue operating through various fault and/or failure conditions, so as to withstand certain single points of fault and/or failure conditions. Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can provide an exemplary electrical power system that includes various components that are electrically coupled to a shared direct current (DC) bus via protection devices that are configured to isolate the various components in the event of certain fault and/or failure conditions. Additionally, the exemplary electrical power system can also include a high-impedance midpoint grounding connection configured to shift the voltages of the shared DC bus in view of certain fault and/or failure conditions, as well as introducing certain separations (e.g., physical and/or electrical) to mitigate the possibility of certain faults and/or failure conditions.

Fault tolerant power architecture

Described are systems and methods for providing a centralized inverter architecture that incorporates multiple inverters co-located in a single integrated power core. Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can provide an exemplary power electronics system that includes integrated power core units having multiple inverters co-located in a centralized location. The integrated power cores can enable compute topologies that enable communication between the inverters and coordinated operation of the inverters. The integrated power cores can also be configured as a single line replaceable unit (LRU) to facilitate efficient repair, maintenance, and/or replacement of each integrated power core.

Centralized inverter architecture

Described are systems and methods for monitoring, detecting, and/or protecting various systems of an aerial vehicle, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Embodiments of the present disclosure can provide a multi-tiered system to provide monitoring, detection, and/or initiation of protection protocols in response to detected faults in connection with the electronics associated with UAV systems, such as the motor drive and/or control systems that may drive the propulsion systems of the UAV.

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Seattle, WA, United States of America

Andrew Lueneburg