The Boeing Company

John T Paterson

Mark Stephen Shander

Thomas R Hasenoehrl

Ty Aaby Larsen

Robert E Fisher

Donald B Lee

Kevin Matthew Retz

Mark Eugene Liffring

Terrance L Thomas

Andrew John Bayliss

Marvin J Whitney

George Liang

Richard W Berman

Kevin Scott Callahan

Kamiar J Karimi

Shahriar Khosravani

Robert Dennis Holley

Michael L Drake

Christopher Mark Severns

Henry VanRensselaer Fletcher, Iii

Casey Y K Ng

Lowell W Schaffner

Richard A Cote

Howard Carter, Iii

Michael S Hoag

John T Peters

Ronald C Yabut

Seth C Tai

Ed Woods

Terry L Thomas

Marvin Whitney

Mark S Shander

A linear optimized isolation transformer may include a magnetic core having a primary side and a secondary side; a primary side winding on the primary side; a primary side terminal electrically coupled to the primary side winding; a secondary side winding on a the secondary side; a secondary side terminal electrically coupled to the secondary side winding; an isolation dielectric placed between the primary side winding and the secondary side winding and having a shape that fills all of the space between the primary side and the secondary side that is not occupied by the core, the isolation dielectric including a permanent high-Q material selected to maintain a high value isolation independent of pressure differences resulting from operation at different altitudes; and wherein the primary side terminal and the secondary side terminal are positioned on opposing ends of a long axis of the magnetic core.

System and method for vehicle power system isolation

A composite vehicle architecture without a current return network for reducing lightning threats. A plurality of modular equipment centers (MECs) are spatially distributed throughout the vehicle. Equipment loads within the vehicle are each serviced by the nearest MEC. Twisted and shielded electrical conductor pairs provide secondary power to the equipment loads to minimize the amount of wire throughout the aircraft as well as the return currents on the aircraft.

Modular equipment center lightning threat reduction architecture

A fault-tolerant self-indicating surge protector system and methods are presented. An unwanted surge of electrical energy induced by a lightning strike is directed away from a sensitive electrical or electronic component, and the unwanted surge of electrical energy is directed through series connected pairs of varistors. A voltage signal is extracted from a center tap point between the series connected pairs of the varistors, and the voltage signal is monitored for a health of the varistors. A high impedance in a varistor among the varistors is provided for a low voltage across the varistor, and a low impedance in the varistor is provided and the unwanted surge of electrical energy is diverted through the varistor in response to a high voltage across the varistor.

Fault-tolerant self-indicating surge protection system for aircraft

A modular truss assembly for mechanically and electrically mounting system components of a modular equipment center (MEC). A plurality of MECs is spatially distributed throughout the vehicle to service equipment loads. The modular truss assembly provides different voltage levels for powering the system components of the MEC and for powering the equipment loads. In one or more configurations, a MEC incorporate inductive power coupling for powering a line replaceable unit (LRU) in proximity to the modular truss assembly without exposed electrical connections and such that the MEC may forgo power conversion equipment. In one or more configurations, a sensor is embedded in one or more transfer layers of the truss for measuring a power trace embedded in the modular truss assembly.

Modular equipment center integrated truss sensors

A method includes generating thrust at one or more engines of an aircraft. The method includes generating first electricity at a first power unit concurrently with generating second electricity at a second power unit. The first power unit and the second power unit are independent of the one or more engines of the aircraft. The first electricity has a first set of electrical characteristics and the second electricity has a second set of electrical characteristics, where the first set of electrical characteristics is different than the second set of electrical characteristics.

Independent power generation in aircraft

Presented is a system and method for providing electrical isolation in vehicle power systems. The method comprises placing linear optimized isolation transformers in structures of a vehicle at positions that minimize the propagation of energy spikes into internal electronic systems, for example in the wing root of an aircraft where electrical cables from a generator associated with an engine enter the fuselage. The system includes a linear optimized isolation transformer with a core that has primary side winding isolated from a secondary side winding by an isolation dielectric. The isolation dielectric maintains a high value isolation independent of pressure differences due to operation at different altitudes. In embodiments, linear optimized isolation transformers for each phase of a power distribution system couple power from a generator through a structure of a vehicle thereby increasing electrical isolation of electrical components inside the structure from electrical surges originating outside the structure.

Method and application for vehicle power system isolation

Systems and methods of independent power generation are disclosed. A particular system includes an aircraft having at least one engine and a plurality of independent power units. Each power unit of the plurality of independent power units generates electricity independently of the at least one engine. The plurality of independent power units include at least a first independent power unit that generates first electricity having a first set of electrical characteristics and a second independent power unit that generates second electricity having a second set of electrical characteristics concurrently with the first power unit generating the first electricity. The first set of electrical characteristics is different than the second set of electrical characteristics.

An autonomous controller allows an AC induction motor to operate over a broad range of AC power supply frequencies by reducing the amount of current supplied to the motor at lower frequencies. The controller detects the frequency of the power supply and switches the supply current on and off during each AC cycle to limit the RMS current to a value that is related to the detected frequency. Alternatively, the controller switches capacitive reactance into the power supply circuit which reduces the current supplied to the motor at lower AC frequencies.

Power control for induction motors using variable frequency AC power

A method of manufacturing a multifunctional shielding mat for an interior of a vehicle is provided. The method includes providing at least one sheet of dampening material, coupling at least one sheet of electromagnetic shielding material to the at least one sheet of dampening material, and configuring the multifunctional shielding mat to cover a predetermined area of the vehicle.

Multifunctional electromagnetic shielding

An electrical architecture for an aircraft is provided. The electrical architecture is particularly suitable for relatively small, compact, and lightweight aircraft. In one embodiment, the electrical architecture includes an electrical generator component coupled to the aircraft engine, and an air compression system coupled to the electrical generator component. The electrical generator component is configured to receive mechanical power from the engine and to generate a constant frequency AC electrical power from the engine mechanical power, and the air compression system is configured to receive the constant frequency AC power as an input and, in response thereto, produce a pressurized air output having variable characteristics (for example, a variable flow rate or a variable air pressure).

Electrical systems architecture for an aircraft, and related operating methods

Growing community of inventors

Mukilteo, WA, United States of America

John T Paterson