Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation

Brennan Fox

Lon R Hoegberg

Adrian E Vandergrift

Christopher Derek Thornton

Kevin C Peterson

Mustansir Kheraluwala

Arthur J Beneditz

Ronald J Gadow

Kevin C Petersen

A voltage driver includes a voltage input. A voltage regulation controller is operatively connected to receive input voltage from the voltage input and includes an on/off input. The voltage regulation controller is configured to control a switching converter in a first mode, a second mode, at least one buck mode, and at least one boost mode. The switching converter is configured to operate as an open pass switch in the first mode, configured to operate as a closed pass switch in the second mode, configured to operate as an overcurrent and overvoltage protection switch in the at least one buck mode, and configured to operate as an undercurrent and undervoltage protection switch in the at least one boost mode.

Buck-boost converter for contactor drive

A variable frequency starter generator (VFSG) system includes a VFSG having a start mode and a generate mode, a permanent magnet generator (PMG) and a main generator section and an exciter section. The system also includes a controller electrically connected to the VFSG. The controller flow start mode three phase electrical power from aircraft power to the exciter of the VFSG in the start mode and flows single phase electrical power to the exciter of the VFSG in the generate mode. The controller includes: an input active rectifier that receives input AC power and converts it to DC power and provides it to across a positive rail and negative rail; an output inverter coupled to an output of the input active rectifier; and one or more line inductors connected along one or both of the positive rail and negative rail between the input active rectifier and the output inverter.

Starter/generator arrangements for gas turbine engines

An exciter drive circuit comprises a direct current (DC) link to provide a positive DC voltage to a positive voltage exciter rail and a negative DC voltage to a negative voltage exciter rail. An exciter winding includes a first exciter terminal connected to the positive voltage exciter rail and an opposing second exciter terminal connected to the negative voltage exciter rail. A flyback circuit establishes a first flyback current path that conducts the current from exciter winding in response to an inductive flyback event. A flyback fault protection circuit establishes a second flyback current path that conducts the current from exciter winding in response to the inductive flyback event and a fault present in the flyback circuit. The second flyback current path delivers the current output by the exciter winding from the negative voltage exciter rail to the positive voltage exciter rail.

Open flyback diode protection

An electrical mating system can include a first connector having a plurality of first contacts, and a second connector having a plurality of second contacts. Each one of the first contacts can pair with one of the second contacts so that they provide electrical conduction between pairs of contacts when the first connector is properly mated to the second connector. At least one of the first contacts or first connector and/or one of the second contacts and the second connector can be sized and configured such that an open circuit occurs across a specific one of the pairs of contacts when the first connector is improperly mated to the second connector.

Electrical mating systems

A power distribution system and method has a controller and at least one semiconductor switch. The power distribution system additionally has an on status detector which detects the status of the semiconductor switches, and an overcurrent status circuit which checks for overcurrent conditions.

Current limiting circuit for a control circuit for controlling a semiconductor switch system

A circuit retaining system can include a contact monitoring system configured to determine if a retainer is providing at least a selected force and/or pressure to a circuit board when the retainer is retaining the circuit board. The contact monitoring system can include a force and/or pressure sensor configured to be disposed between the retainer and the circuit board and to output a force and/or pressure sensor signal indicating a contact force and/or pressure.

Circuit retainer systems

An input circuit includes an input line for providing input regarding state of a supply at a first node. An impedance is connected to the input line at a second node for connecting the input line to ground. A Zener diode can be connected in the input line in series between the first and second nodes to impede current flowing through the Zener diode below the Zener voltage thereof in a direction from the first node to the second node, and to allow current above the Zener voltage thereof in the direction from the first node to the second node, wherein the input line is free of any node connecting a power voltage source to the input line between the first and second nodes.

Discrete voltage/ open input

An input circuit includes an input line for providing input regarding state of a load. A first impedance is connected to the input line at a first node for connecting a voltage source to the input line. A second impedance is connected to the input line at a second node for connecting the input line to ground. A Zener diode is connected in the input line in series between the first and second nodes to impede current flowing through the Zener diode below the Zener voltage thereof in a direction from the first node to the second node, and to allow current above the Zener voltage thereof in the direction from the first node to the second node.

Ground/voltage open input

A voltage driver includes a voltage input, a voltage regulation controller including an on/off input. The voltage regulation controller is configured to control a switching converter in a first mode, a second mode, and at least one additional mode. The switching converter is configured to operate as an open pass switch in the first mode, is configured to operate as a closed pass switch in the second mode, and is configured to operate as an overcurrent and overvoltage protection switch in the at least one additional mode. A discrete output driver control and monitoring circuit can be used to control the switching converter. The output driver control and monitoring circuit includes a controller coupled to a communication bus and is configured to provide high level control instructions to the communication bus.

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Geneseo, IL, United States of America

Brennan Fox