Sundstrand Corporation

Robert D Ligon

P John Dhyanchand

Sunil Patel

Jeffery Emmerich

Mark Seger

Earl Morgan

An electric power generation system having two main sources of ac power comprises a first and a second main power conversion and distribution unit (MPCDU1, MPCDU2), each electrically coupled to one of the sources of ac power. The MPCDUs controllably supply ac electric power to an associated main distribution bus and additionally convert that power to a second type of power. This second type of power is supplied to an associated secondary distribution bus and to a converted power output. The system also includes an auxiliary source of ac power and an auxiliary power conversion and distribution unit (APCDU) which is electrically coupled to the auxiliary source. The APCDU controllably supplies ac electric power to a ground service distribution bus and additionally converts that power to a second type of power which is then supplied to an associated secondary distribution bus and to a converted power output. Additionally, the MPCDUs and the APCDU each controllably supply ac electric power to, and demand power from, an ac tie bus. The system additionally comprises a central power conversion and distribution unit (CPCDU) which is electrically coupled to the converted power output of each MPCDU, and to the converted power output of the APCDU. The CPCDU selectively converts the second type of power from each MPCDU and the APCDU to an emergency type of power. This emergency power is controllably supplied to an emergency distribution bus.

Integrated electric power system

A nonvolatile fail-safe system providing protection from bus fault propagation for a multi-channel electric power generating system includes a controller which provides excitation control and protection for a first generator unit, position control for its generator control breaker (GCB) and position control for a bus tie breaker (BTB); protection logic which generates a trip signal for the BTB when a bus fault is detected isolating the load distribution bus from the tie bus, and thereafter generating an excitation isolation control signal and a GCB trip signal isolating the load distribution bus from the generator unit upon sustained presence of the bus fault. A latching generator control relay is electrically coupled in series with the excitation control and is responsive to the excitation isolation control signal for de-energizing the generator by isolating the excitation control. A circuit monitors the operational status of the controller and generates a breaker fail-safe signal upon sensing operation outside acceptable parameters; and fail-safe logic, responsive to the position status of the generator control relay at the instant of issuance of the breaker fail-safe signal, controls the position of the BTB upon failure of the controller.

Breaker fail-safe system for a multi-channel electric power generating

Prior power converters utilizing a plurality of switches operated by control circuitry include many components which are subject to failure. When such a failure occurs, it may prove difficult to isolate the problem and repair the power converter. In order to overcome this problem, a power converter is packaged as a plurality of identical line replaceable units each of which may be easily replaced in the event of a malfunction.

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Rockford, IL, United States of America

Robert D Ligon