Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation

James A Gosse

Gary L Hess

Edward John Marotta

Gary M McBrien

Geoffrey T Blackwell

James Saloio

Jeffry K Kamenetz

Mark A Johnston

Richard L Bue

Joseph T Gostkowski

James Peter Wivell

Steven A Avritch

Michael Maynard

Paul J Leblanc

Jason C Duffy

Robert E Cox

David S Harman

An Nguyen

Kimberly K Sendlein

Carl J Alleva

Scott Beecher

Constantinos J Mantis

Shun-Tien Lin

Karin Averill Parker

Gary M Mcbrien

Apparatus and associated methods are disclosed that relate to detecting a shaft condition of a gas turbofan engine. Shaft condition is detected based on sensed rotation rates of the shaft at different shaft locations. If the sensed rotations rates of the shaft at the two different shaft locations are indicative of a compromised shaft, such as, for example, a shaft that has sheared, then a fuel cut-off signal is generated. The fuel cut-off signal is then sent to a fuel cut-off valve so as to cut off the fuel supplied to the gas turbofan engine. In some embodiments, shaft condition is determined based on a difference between scaled rotation rates of the shaft at two different shaft locations.

Detecting condition of a shaft of a gas turbofan aircraft engine

An interface for mitigating electromagnetic interference (EMI) on a printed circuit board (PCB) is disclosed. The PCB can contain circuit components and includes one or more signal planes sandwiched between corresponding ground planes. The PCB has a first and second side and an interface region separating the first and second sides that includes a partition wall projecting outward from the interface region, configured for EMI shielding between the first side and second sides, one or more pairs of input and output pads straddling the interface region on respective first and second sides and configured to accommodate an EMI line filter, and a ground barrier within the printed circuit board under the interface region. A method of mitigating EMI using the interface is also disclosed.

Apparatus and methods for mitigating electromagnetic interference in an electronic controller

Disclosed is an aircraft sensor fault detection system. The system includes a sensor system having a sensing apparatus to measure a parameter of an environment and a measurement circuit coupled to the sensing apparatus. The system includes a source of alternating current connected to the sensor system. The system further includes an alternating current measurement system that measures alternating current passing through the sensor system and indicates an error when a threshold based on a change in impedance of the sensing apparatus is exceeded.

Reduced error sensor fault detection

Disclosed is a short detection system for an aircraft. The system includes a pair of alternating current sources defined by respective frequencies being offset by a predetermined value. The system includes a pair of sensor systems including respective measurement circuits coupled to respective sensor apparatuses to measure at least one parameter of an environment. The system includes an alternating current measurement system that includes a low pass filter having a cutoff frequency greater than the predetermined value such that a beat indicative of a difference between the respective frequencies passed through the pair of sensor systems is isolated by the low pass filter. The system indicates a short among the pair of sensor systems when the beat is present.

Sensor to sensor short detection

A method of managing over-temperature excursions in an electronic control unit of a control system having failed-fixed capability and an operationally independent temperature monitoring and power enable function. The method includes receiving a temperature signal indicative of a temperature associated with an electronic control unit, determining if the temperature associated with the electronic control unit exceeds a first selected threshold, determining if the temperature associated with the electronic control unit exceeds a second selected threshold, and ascertaining if an engine associated with the control system is operational. The method also includes that if the engine is not operational and the temperature exceeds the first selected threshold, then disabling an actuator associated with the control system. In addition, the method also includes that if the temperature associated with the electronic control unit exceeds the second selected threshold, then disabling an actuator associated with the control system.

Method for managing over-temperature excursions in a failed-fixed control system

A multi-channel control system includes at least a primary control microprocessor and a back-up control microprocessor operable to control a device. The primary control microprocessor and the back-up control microprocessor assert control over a controlled device according to a locally stored method of controlling a back-up microprocessor assumption of control of a device.

Multi-channel control switchover logic

An electronic module assembly has a memory module that includes a memory module and an electronic module. The memory module includes a first board having a first board first surface disposed opposite a first board second surface. The electronic module is operatively connected to the memory module. The electronic module includes a mounting plate having a mounting plate first surface that is disposed opposite a mounting plate second surface that faces towards the first board first surface. The mounting plate has a first post and a second post spaced apart from the first post.

DDR electronic module assembly

A system for testing over-current fault detection includes a first switch to connect a voltage to a load and a capacitor; a first monitor circuit that monitors a current from the first switch to the load; a second monitor circuit that monitors a voltage across the capacitor; and a microcontroller configured to control a state of the first switch to connect voltage to the load and verifies over-current detection based upon current generated during charging of the capacitor. The microcontroller detects an over-current fault condition based upon input from the first monitor circuit and detects a short-circuit fault condition based upon input from the second monitor circuit during test of the first monitor circuit.

Self-test of over-current fault detection

A system for determining a relative position of a secondary gear includes a gear assembly including a phonic wheel fixed to a primary gear and a secondary gear rotatably engaged to the first gear, a sensor configured to output a signal upon detecting a tooth of the phonic wheel, and a digital logic circuit configured to detect a revolution of the phonic wheel, to generate a primary gear tooth pulse at intervals corresponding to intervals of teeth of the primary gear based on the detected revolution of the phonic wheel, and to generate a secondary gear revolution signal at an interval corresponding to a revolution of the secondary gear based on the primary gear tooth pulse.

Detecting a relative shaft position on geared shafts

A shunt regulated permanent magnet alternator voltage source includes a permanent magnet alternator, a shunt regulator, and a pulse width modulation controller. Also included is a load controller capable of detecting a PMA margin.

Permanent magnet alternator margin detector

An overcurrent protection circuit for a high side solenoid switch includes a primary bias circuit and a secondary bias circuit. The secondary bias circuit is operable to alter a source to gate bias voltage of the high side solenoid switch during an overcurrent.

Overcurrent limiting for high side solenoid switch controls

An error detection and correction (EDAC) circuit mitigates the effect of single event upsets (SEU) events in a redundant memory system. The EDAC circuit includes a first input for receiving first data and parity information stored by a first memory device and a second input for receiving second data and parity information stored by a second memory device. First parity check logic calculates parity for the received first data and parity information. Second parity check logic calculates parity for the received second data and parity information. Bit comparison logic detects differences between the first data and the second data, and between the first parity information and the second parity information. Based on the parity check calculated for the first and second data, and the bit comparison, data select logic selects either the first data or the second data for provision to a data bus.

RAM single event upset (SEU) method to correct errors

A permanent magnet alternator is driven by a turbine engine to supply three phases of power to a control circuit for the engine. A shunt regulator delivers current to the control circuit, and a voltage supply is also included to deliver power for a period of time as the alternator is gaining speed at startup. A speed detection circuit detects the speed of the shaft for diagnostic purposes and a feedback circuit overrides a control for the supply of the current at lower speeds such that the speed detection circuit will be accurate even at lower speeds.

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Storrs, CT, United States of America

James A Gosse