WO1998034318B1

WO1998034318B1 - System and method of radio frequency control for aircraft electric power distribution contactors

Info

Publication number: WO1998034318B1
Application number: PCT/US1998/001839
Authority: WO
Filing date: 1998-01-30
Publication date: 1998-10-15
Anticipated expiration: 1999-07-31

Abstract

An aircraft electric power distribution system comprises two electric power generators each producing output electric power which is coupled to aircraft electrical loads by distribution feeders having electric power switching devices interposed therein. These switching devices are operative to interrupt and enable distribution of the electric power to the aircraft loads. The system of the instant invention further comprises electric power distribution controllers which are in wireless communication with each of the switching devices. Preferably, control information is transmitted to the switching devices individually through the use of contactor addressing information to command interruption or enablement of the electric power distribution. Additionally, status information is transmitted from the switching devices to the controllers, either individually through controller addressing or collectively. Interference between aircraft is avoided through the use of vehicle addressing information and/or low power control and status signal transmissions. The switching devices include a digital signal processor and a logic processor for receiving, decoding, conditioning, and controlling the main contactor portion of the device. Additionally, the switching devices include current sensing capability for sensing, scaling, and transmitting the current flow information to the controllers for use thereby. The position of the main contactor portion of the smart contactor is also monitored and transmitted for use by the controllers.

Claims

AMENDED CLAIMS[received by the International Bureau on 10 August 1998 (10.08.98); original claims 1-3, 5-14, 16, 18 and 19 amended; original claim 20 cancelled; new claims 21-23 added; remaining claims unchanged (5 pages)]

1. An aircraft electric power distribution system, comprising: a first and a second generator driven by external sources of motive power, said first and said second generators producing output electric power; first and second distribution means coupled to said first and said second generators

respectively for distributing said electric power to aircraft electrical loads; first and second electric power switching devices interposed within said first and said second distribution means respectively for interrupting and enabling said distribution of said electric power, each of said first and said second electric power switching device comprises switching means, a digital signal processor and logic circuitry; and first and second electric power distribution controllers in wireless communication with each of said first and said second electric power switching devices respectively.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein each of said controllers transmits control information to its

associated switching devices, each associated electric power switching means interrupting and enabling said distribution of said electric power in response thereto.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein each of said electric power switching device transmits status

information to its associated controller.

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4. The system of claim 3, wherein said status information contains controller addressing information.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein each of said electric power switching devices transmits status information to its associated controller upon interrupting and enabling said distribution of

said electric power.

6. The system of claim 2, wherein each of said controllers transmits polling information to its associated electric power switching device, said associated electric power switching device transmitting status information to said controller in response thereto.

7. The system of claim 2, wherein said control information contains electric power switching device addressing information.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said first and said second electric switching devices are

remotely distributed from said first and said second controllers.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein said first and said second electric power switching devices are located in close proximity to said first and said second controllers respectively, within a

first and a second common housing respectively, and wherein said control information is

transmitted at low power so that control of devices external to said first and said second

common housings are not affected.

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10. The system of claim 3, wherein said digital signal processor conditions said control information and said logic circuitry processes said conditioned control information to control said interruption and enabling of said distribution.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein said logic circuitry monitors a status of said electric power switching device and commands transmission of said status to said controller.

12. The system of claim 1 1, wherein each of said first and said second electric power switching device further comprises means for monitoring electric power current flow through said electric power switching device producing a monitored current signal, and wherein said logic circuitry conditions said monitored current signal producing current flow information, and wherein said status information contains said current flow information.

13. An electric power distribution system for an aircraft having at least two sources of electric

power coupled through a distribution network having individual channels to a plurality of

utilization equipment, each of the individual channels comprising: electric power switching means for interrupting and enabling a flow of electric power to

the utilization equipment coupled to each channel; and

a controller in wireless communication with said electric power switching devices, said controller transmitting control information to said electric power switching devices; and

20 wherein said electric power switching device transmits status information to said controller and comprises switching means, a digital signal processor and logic circuitry;

14. The system of claim 13, wherein said electric power switching devices comprise a plurality of smart contactors.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein said control information contains contactor addressing

information to allow control of individual smart contactors.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein said digital signal processor conditions said control information and said logic circuitry processes said conditioned control information to control said interruption and enabling of said distribution.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein said status information contains controller addressing information.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein said electric power switching device transmits said status

information upon interrupting and enabling said distribution of said electric power.

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19. The system of claim 13, wherein said control information comprises polling information, and

wherein said electric power switching device transmits said status information in response to said polling information.

20. Canceled.

21. The system of claim 13, wherein said electric power switching devices comprise a plurality of solid state power contactors.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein said control information contains solid state contactor addressing information to allow control of individual smart solid state power contactors.

23. The system of claim 21, wherein said smart solid state power contactors comprise a digital signal processor for conditioning said control information, and logic circuitry, said logic circuitry processing said conditioned control information to control said interruption and enabling of said distribution.

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