Method and system for activating an electric machine in an aircraft

A discrete signal interlock system for controlling an electric machine in an aircraft, comprising:

• a first controller and a first power source coupled via a first wiring harness bundle to an input power relay switch that is interposed between an AC power source and a motor controller that is operatively connected to the electric machine;
• and
• a second controller and a second power source coupled via a second wiring harness bundle to a second circuit operatively connected to the motor controller that is operatively connected to the electric machine;
• wherein the input power relay switch and the second circuit act in concert to operate the motor controller to control the electric machine;
• wherein the first wiring harness bundle includes a first signal cable electrically coupling the first controller to the input power relay switch, and a first power cable electrically coupled to the input power relay switch;
• wherein the second wiring harness bundle encloses a second signal cable electrically coupling the second controller to the second circuit, and a second power cable electrically coupled to the second circuit;
• wherein activation of the input power relay switch requires a first signal being transmitted from the first controller to the input power relay switch via the first signal cable;
• wherein activation of the second circuit requires a second signal being transmitted from the second controller to the second circuit via the second signal cable;
• and
• wherein activation of the motor controller requires activation of the input power relay switch and activation of the second circuit.

An aircraft, comprising, comprising:

• a moveable surface operatively controlled by an electric machine;
• and
• a discrete signal interlock system arranged to control the electric machine;
• wherein the discrete signal interlock system includes:
• a first controller, a second controller, and a power source coupled via a single wiring harness bundle to a motor controller that is operatively connected to the electric machine;
• wherein the motor controller includes a first circuit electrically coupled to a driver enabler of the motor controller and a second circuit electrically coupled to a driver of the motor controller;
• wherein the driver enabler and the driver act in concert to operate the motor controller to control the electric machine to move the moveable surface;
• wherein the single wiring harness bundle encloses a first signal cable electrically coupling the first controller to the first circuit, a second signal cable electrically coupling the second controller to the second circuit, a first power cable electrically coupled to the first circuit, and a second power cable electrically coupled to the second circuit;
• wherein activation of the first circuit requires a first signal being transmitted from the first controller to the first circuit via the first signal cable;
• wherein activation of the second circuit requires a second signal being transmitted from the second controller to the second circuit via the second signal cable;
• and
• wherein activation of the motor controller requires activation of the driver in concert with activation of the driver enabler.