Fault-tolerant power system architecture for aircraft electric propulsion
US11128251B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 29, 2020 |
| Grant date | Sep 21, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 21, 2040 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02T90/14
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A fault-tolerant power system architecture for aircraft electric propulsion. The fault-tolerant systems continue to operate in the event of the failure of (or one or more faults within) some component. The fault-tolerant design enables the system to continue its intended operation, possibly at a reduced level, rather than failing completely, when some part of the system fails. When a turn-to-turn fault in an AC motor is detected, a motor controller will short three top or three bottom switches in the inverter together (effectively shorting the associated stator windings) to divert fault current from the motor windings to the motor controller, where cooling is available. Also, when a fault in or at the input to a motor controller is detected, the motor controller cuts off power to the motor by issuing a command that causes an upstream contactor with high-voltage DC bus input to open.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.