GE Aviation Systems LLC

A resonant power converter (200), (300) and method (400) of forming is disclosed. The resonant power converter (200), (300) includes a switch network (202) and a primary winding (241) of a transformer (208) is electrically coupled to the switch network (202). A first resonant tank (204a) is electrically coupled to a first secondary winding (242a) of the transformer (208), and a second resonant tank (204b) is electrically coupled to a second secondary winding (242b) of the transformer (208). A first output conditioning portion (214a) is electrically coupled to the first resonant tank (204a) and a second output conditioning portion (214b) is electrically coupled to the second resonant tank (204b).

A common-mode voltage cancellation (CMVC) circuit and method of forming is disclosed. The CMVC circuit (130), (230), (330), (430), (530), (630) includes a set of input lines (113) configured to receive a respective input phase voltage (VA1), (VB1), (VC1), each respective input phase voltage (VA1), (VB1), (VC1) including a common-mode voltage component (Vcm), and a set of output lines (114) configured to provide a respective output phase voltage (VA3), (VB3), (VC3). The CMVC circuit (130), (230), (330), (430), (530), (630) also includes a set of first capacitors (250) electrically coupled between a respective input line (113) and a node (231), and a coupled inductor (220), having a primary winding (221) and at least one secondary winding (222a), (222b), (222c), the at least one secondary winding (222a), (222b), (222c) electrically coupled in series between a respective input line (113) and a respective output line (114). A first resistor (261) and the primary winding (221) are electrically coupled in series between the node (231) and an electrical ground (202).

There are provided systems and methods for controlling input current to one or more solid state power controllers. The system may include: a solid state power controller (302) including a switching component (306) and configured for a current input and a current output; a current limiting control circuit (308) of the solid state power controller (302) regulating and limiting input current to the switching component (306); and a dl/dt generator (304) operatively coupled to the current limiting control circuit (308), the dl/dt generator (304) being adjustable to set a current limit setpoint to regulate an amount of input current being supplied to the switching component (306) to a predetermined increasing or decreasing profile for a predetermined time period.

There are provided systems and methods for combining outputs of solid state power controllers into a single output. The system may include: a power distribution unit (101) configured for operative coupling to a power source (104) and to load(s) (106); a first solid state power controller (302) at the power distribution unit, the first solid state power controller (302) having a first output (304) and a first current rating; a second solid state power controller (306) at the power distribution unit, the second solid state power controller (306) having a second output (308) and a second current rating; and a single switched output (305) at the power distribution unit operatively coupled to the first and second solid state power controllers (302, 306), the single switched output (305) having a single output current rating.

A system (400) and method (600) for controlling power switching devices are described herein. In some approaches, a system (400) for modelling a temperature rise within a transistor (404) includes a measurement circuit (408), a power calculation circuit (410), a thermal modeling circuit (412) and a control circuit (414). The measurement circuit (408) is configured to measure a voltage (V_ds) across the transistor (404) and a current (I_ds) passing through the transistor (404). The power calculation circuit (410) is configured to multiply the measured current (I_ds) and the measured voltage (V_ds) to generate a signal representing a power dissipated within the transistor (404). The thermal modeling circuit (412) is configured to generate an output signal indicative of a die temperature rise in the transistor (404) over a predetermined period and the control circuit (414) is configured to output a trip signal (440) to turn off the transistor (404) in response to determining that the die temperature rise is greater than the predetermined threshold.

An electrical power system architecture (200) is described herein. In some approaches, an electrical system for an aircraft (100) includes an electrical source (202), an electrical load (204), and a power distribution system (206). The power distribution system (206) includes a plurality of power channels (208) connecting the electrical source (202) to the electrical load (204). The electrical power is distributed in each power channel (208) under normal operating conditions and, in the event of a power channel failure, the electrical power is distributed by a subset of the plurality of power channels (208) such that the aircraft (100) can maintain aircraft flight conditions during the power channel failure.

An electric distribution architecture is described herein. In some embodiments, the electric distribution architecture (300) for an aircraft (100) includes at least one electrical source (314, 324), a plurality of loads (348) including at least one high energy load (350) and at least one low energy load (354) and a power distribution system (332). The power distribution system (332) includes a plurality of contactors (338, 340, 342) configured to selectively distribute electrical power from each of the at least one electrical source (314, 324) to each of the plurality of loads (348). In some approaches, at least one first fast acting high energy protection device (316, 326) is electrically coupled in series with each at least one electrical source (314, 324), and at least one second fast acting high energy protection device (358) is electrically coupled in series with each of the at least one high energy loads (350). In some approaches, the power distribution system (332) is devoid of any high energy protection devices (316, 326, 352).

A system (200) and method for temperature monitoring of power switching devices are described herein. In some approaches, a system (200) for modelling a temperature rise within a transistor (204) with an integrated temperature sensing diode (206) includes a current source (214) and a control unit (216) (218). The current source (214) is configured to provide a current to the integrated temperature sensing diode (206). The control unit (216) (218) is operably coupled to the current source (214) and the integrated temperature sensing diode (206) and configured to receive a temperature dependent voltage signal, determine a temperature rise in the transistor (204) and output a trip signal (238) to turn off the transistor (204) based on the temperature rise.

An airfoil assembly (130, 230) having a trunnion (134, 234) and a spar (136, 236). The trunnion (134, 234) having an inner surface (152, 252) defining a socket (153, 253) with a flared section with an open top. The spar extending from the socket (153, 253) and through the open top (154, 254). Further, the spar (136, 236) being formed by a plurality of composite plies (163, 263) including a radially innermost ply (160, 260) having a respective centerline (176, 276), and a radially outermost ply (162, 262) having a respective centerline (176, 276) that is parallel to the respective centerline (176, 276) of the radially innermost ply (160, 260).

Systems and methods for early detection of smoke or electrical component failure in enclosed modules are provided. A system for detecting smoke, soot, or particulates within enclosures, includes: an enclosed module comprising electrical components; a light source in the enclosed module emitting light continuously or at predetermined time intervals; a light sensor in the enclosed module detecting light emitted by the light source; and a control circuit operatively coupled to the light sensor, the control circuit triggering a predetermined action upon light detected by the light sensor from the light source being at least partially obstructed and falling below a predetermined light threshold level. The predetermined action may include triggering an alert and/or a switch addressing the detection of possible smoke in the enclosed module.