Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation

Jordan K Vanevenhoven

Jeffrey D Myroth

Kyle Stephen Ives

John N Buzzard

Jef William Good

Shane R Traser

Thomas P Joyce

Natalie Filipski

Adrian E Vandergrift

John F Defenbaugh

Gary L Miles

Curtis J Plude

Mykola Kravchenko

A contactor system includes a contactor actuator that causes an input bus bar to be electrically connected to an output bus bar and an actuator control element that controls operation of the contactor actuator. The actuator controller includes an input and an output. The system also includes a connection that includes two inputs configured to receive signals from two or more controllers and provide one control signal to the input of the actuator control element and a relay coupled between the output of the actuator control element and ground that disrupts the signal from passing through the actuator control element when commanded by any of the one or more controllers.

Multi-controlled contactor control

Examples described herein provide an electric power distribution system (EPDS) that includes a transformer rectifier unit (TRU) that receives alternating current (AC) electric power from an AC electric power source during a first state of operation. The EPDS further includes a direct current (DC) electric power source that receives the DC electric power from the TRU during the first state of operation. The EPDS further includes a DC essential bus that receives the DC electric power from the DC electric power source during the first state of operation and that receives the DC electric power from another source during a second state of operation. The EPDS further includes a controller to selectively engage a diode bypass contactor to enable a diode during the second state of operation, and selectively engage the diode bypass contactor to enable a diode bypass during the first state of operation.

Direct current bus control scheme

A method includes performing a test for transformer rectifier unit (TRU) backfeed protection by removing AC power supplied to the TRU but keeping the TRU contactor closed for a first predetermined span of time. The method includes observing the TRU for a second predetermined span of time. The method includes determining if the contactor opens during the second span of time, that a TRU backfeed protection is functional and passes the test, and determining if the contactor does not open during the second span of time, that the TRU backfeed protection has failed the test.

Built in test (BIT) for transformer rectifier unit (TRU) backfeed interlock

A closing mechanism controller includes contactor operating logic that generates a software or firmware based closing mechanism command signal. The controller also includes hardware interlock circuitry that generates an interlock signal, the hardware interlock circuity being configured to compare an interlock signal to the software based closing mechanism command signal and to provide an enable signal to the closing mechanism when the interlock signal matches the closing mechanism command signal.

Hardware protection for contactor driver independence

A system includes a transformer rectifier unit (TRU) including a backfeed sense module. A contactor is operatively connected to the TRU for selectively supplying DC power to a DC bus from the TRU with the contactor closed and isolating the DC bus from the TRU with the contactor opened. A contactor driver is operatively connected to receive a signal from the backfeed sense module and to control opening and closing of the contactor based on the signal. The contactor driver is configured to open the contactor upon receipt of the signal indicative of backfeed detected in the TRU.

Transformer rectifier unit (TRU) backfeed interlock

In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a method can include measuring a voltage across a DC link of a generator system when a generator exciter is inactive and a generator permanent magnet is active, and detecting a short or open permanent magnet generator (SOPMG) fault condition in the generator system with a DC link monitor operatively connected to measure the voltage across the DC link.

Generator failure detection method

A method includes detecting a failure in a contactor economizer that is configured to provide a first current to a coil of a contactor to close the contactor, and to provide a second current lower than the first current to the coil after the contactor is closed to hold the contactor closed. The method includes at least one of: driving contactor actuation based on economizer failure status; and/or signaling failure of the economizer through built in test (BIT) indication.

Economizer failure detection and bit method circuits

A system includes a contactor operatively connected to a coil for actuating the contactor to open and close a circuit. A pass element includes a source, a drain, and a gate, wherein the drain is electrically connected to the coil, and wherein the coil is in series between the pass element and ground. A voltage source is connected to the source of the pass element to pass current into the coil when the pass element is in a pass state. A current source control circuit with economizer is operatively connected to the gate of the pass element. A delay circuit is operatively connected to the current source control circuit with economizer and to a command line to command a lower current for holding the contactor closed after a delay has expired for the contactor to transition.

Current source contactor drives with economizers

A system includes a first AC bus configured to supply power from a first AC power source. A second AC bus is configured to supply power from a second AC power source. A first transformer rectifier unit (TRU) connects a first DC bus to the first AC bus through a first TRU contactor (TRUC). A second TRU connects a second DC bus to the second AC bus through a second TRUC. A ram air turbine (RAT) automatic deployment controller is operatively connected to the first TRUC and to the second TRUC to automatically deploy a RAT based on the combined status of the first TRUC and the second TRUC.

DC contactor input into RAT auto-deploy

A system includes a first AC bus configured to supply power from a first generator. A second AC bus is configured to supply power from a second generator. An AC essential bus tie contactor (AETC) selectively connects between an AC essential bus and the first and second AC busses. An AETC controller is connected to switch the AETC between a first state connecting the AC essential bus to the first AC bus and a second state connecting the AC essential bus to the second AC bus. A sensor system is configured to detect at least one of delta current and overcurrent in the AC essential bus and in at least one of the first AC bus and the second AC bus. The sensor system is operatively connected to the AETC controller for switching the AETC between the first state and the second state based on input from the sensor system.

AC essential bus delta current and over current protection scheme

A system includes a first AC bus configured to supply power from a first generator. A first generator line contactor (GLC) selectively connects the first AC bus to the first generator. A second AC bus is configured to supply power from a second generator. A second GLC selectively connecting the second AC bus to the second generator. An auxiliary generator line contactor (ALC) is connected to selectively supply power to the first and second AC buses from an auxiliary generator. A first bus tie contactor (BTC) electrically connects between the first GLC and the ALC. A second BTC electrically connects between the ALC and the second GLC. A ram air turbine (RAT) automatic deployment controller is operatively connected to automatically deploy a RAT based on the combined status of the first GLC, the second GLC, the ALC, the first BTC, and the second BTC.

AC bus tie contactor input into rat auto-deploy

Current source contactor drive with economizers

A system includes a first AC bus configured to supply power from a first AC power source. A second AC bus is configured to supply power from a second AC power source. A first transformer rectifier unit (TRU) connects a first DC bus to the first AC bus through a first TRU contactor (TRUC). A second TRU connects a second DC bus to the second AC bus through a second TRUC. A first voltage sensor is connected to sense voltage of the first DC bus. A second voltage sensor is connected to sense voltage of the second DC bus. A ram air turbine (RAT) automatic deployment controller is operatively connected to the first voltage sensor and to the second voltage sensor to automatically deploy a RAT based on the combined status of the first voltage sensor and the second voltage sensor.

DC bus voltage input into RAT auto-deploy

A system and method for controlling a DC midpoint terminal voltage of a three level inverter is provided. The method includes receiving an input power signal at a three level motor control system that includes a three level inverter, the three level inverter powering an electric motor, determining, in the three level motor control system, a speed value of the electric motor, and adjusting a zero-sequence inverter output voltage to adjust a midpoint voltage at the DC midpoint based on the determined speed value.

Speed based gain correction for three level inverter midpoint control

A system including a generator and a controller. The generator includes a permanent magnet generator (PMG), and an exciter. The controller manages operations of the generator. The controller includes an alternating current to direct current (AC-to-DC) converter that generates a direct current (DC) voltage, an exciter drive that provides a DC current to the exciter of the generator using the DC voltage created by the AC-to-DC converter in accordance with the control signal, and a regulator controller that drives the active AC-to-DC converter.

Growing community of inventors

Rockford, IL, United States of America

Jordan K Vanevenhoven