The Boeing Company

Eaton Corporation

Reliance Electric Industrial Company

Jie Jay Chang

Anhua Wang

Jiajia Zhang

Kirby Joe Keller

Vanacan Tatavoosian

Winfred L Morris

Stephen Chiu

Xiukuan Jing

Van Tatavoosian

Charles H LeMond

The system includes a digital system architecture including digital chromaticity control. Such control may include color balance, luminance, and color compensation and/or harmonization of multiple integrated modules of display or illuminated panels. Embodiments include a system topology with an integrated modular design for multiple display or illuminated control panels, which can reduce the system weight, wiring complexity, and development expense. In embodiments, a digital chromaticity control includes in-module and cross-module control for balance and harmonization of multiple panels and modules, incorporating integrated digital signal processors and digital communications for internal and external networking.

Digital hybrid cockpit control panel system with integrated panel modules and coordinated digital chromaticity control

A hybrid electronics cockpit control panel system architecture is provided that includes optimized interfacing and partitioning. The architecture includes a digital function block with a digital signal processor and digital communication capabilities. The architecture also includes integrated cockpit control panels that employ a printed circuit board to avoid wire/cable connections for cockpit control panel components beyond the face panel. The architecture provides digital control and communication along a central communication bus that can eliminate the need for dedicated wire connections between the control panel and the electrical components throughout the aircraft, reducing weight and volume. One example aircraft cockpit control panel system includes a control signal processor that receives electrical control signals from pilot operating devices on the control panel and transforms them into digital status signals for communication on a communication bus. In another example aircraft cockpit control panel system, the control signal processor transforms the electrical control signals into digital control signals that are communicated to aircraft components. In another example aircraft cockpit control panel system, signals from a first control signal processor are passed through at least a second control signal processor to provide a redundant circuit path.

Architecture with optimized interfacing for an aircraft hybrid cockpit control panel system

The present invention provides a diagnostics methodology and embedded electronic system that allows optimized low-frequency data sampling for EMA motoring subsystems in an operating vehicle. Each of the EMA motoring subsystems includes: an EMA; at least one motor for driving the EMA; and power controls for operating the motor, wherein the power controls includes a DSP controller for sampling and processing data at low-frequency sampling rates. The diagnostic methodology includes a method that has the steps of: determining an operational mode of the EMA motoring subsystem; selecting a sampling rate optimized for the determined operational mode; acquiring and processing data at the selected sampling rate; and analyzing the processed data to identify and classify a fault of the EMA motoring subsystem.

Variable-Structure diagnostics approach achieving optimized low-frequency data sampling for EMA motoring subsystem

Variable-structure diagnostics approach achieving optimized low-frequency data sampling for EMA motoring subsystem

A novel architecture of high-power four-quadrant hybrid power modules based on high-current trench gate IGBTs and arrays of low-current wide-bandgap diodes is conceived. The distributed physical layout of high power density wide-bandgap devices improves the cooling inside a fully-sealed module case, thus avoiding excessive internal heat flux build up and high PN junction temperature, and benefiting the converter's reliability and efficiency. The design of multiple-in-one hybrid integrated AC-switch module at high power ratings is enabled by using hybrid AC switch cells and aluminum nitride substrate structure.

High-power, integrated AC switch module with distributed array of hybrid devices

A dual-side thermal interface and cooling design of an integrated power module is disclosed which effectively reduces the equivalent thermal impedance on the power module by 20%. This in turn reduces the temperature rise of the junction temperature of the power devices inside the power module by 20% with an equivalent load current. As a consequence the weight and volume associated with the conventional cooling mechanism not employing a dual thermal interface is reduced, thus increasing the ambient operating temperature limit of a power converter in the module.

Integrated power module with reduced thermal impedance

A novel system and methodology of electrical power regulation, conditioning and distribution on an aircraft is disclosed. The system comprises an alternator adapted to directly connect to an engine on the aircraft and generate variable frequency AC power, a variable frequency AC bus coupled directly to the alternator, and at least one variable frequency AC load at low performance, coupled to the variable frequency AC bus. At least one bi-directional power converter may be coupled directly to the variable frequency AC bus and adapted to convert the variable frequency AC raw power to a fully regulated adjustable-frequency and adjustable-voltage power to control AC motors and other high performance variable frequency AC loads. A bi-directional power converter is coupled directly to the variable frequency AC bus and adapted to convert the variable frequency AC power generated by the alternator into constant frequency AC power. At least one constant frequency AC load is coupled to a constant frequency AC bus which is in turn coupled between the constant frequency AC load and the bi-directional power converter. A first bi-directional power bus controller is coupled between the bi-directional power converter and the constant frequency AC bus. The system further comprises an AC/DC bi-directional power converter coupled to a DC bus and at least one DC load coupled thereto. A second bi-directional power bus controller is coupled between the AC/DC power converter and the DC bus. The first and second bi-directional controllers provide for the selective and automatic reconfiguration of the flow of power through the system. A novel high-level subsystem interconnection architecture is also disclosed.

Distributed system and methodology of electrical power regulation, conditioning and distribution on an aircraft

A high power AC--AC converter having integrated adaptive commutation control and a new modularity design based on standard per-phase floating AC power-building modules. The per-phase floating AC power building modules designed with high voltage throughput and optimal partitioning differential output architecture which is suitable for multi-phase multi-module high power electronic systems. Now integrated and smart AC power switch modules are provided to reduce the gate control complexity, minimize circuit connection terminals and simplify power bus structure.

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Newbury Park, CA, United States of America

Jie Jay Chang