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US 12,706,554 B2Granted
Controller for an aircraft assembly
AssigneeHamilton Sundstrand Corporation
InventorsParminder Sangha, Andrew Mclean
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A controller for an aircraft assembly. The aircraft assembly includes a permanent magnet motor. The controller is configured to control the permanent magnet motor according to a damping mode. In the damping mode the controller receives electrical energy from the permanent magnet motor, wherein the electrical energy is produced as a result of kinetic energy in the aircraft assembly. The controller uses the electrical energy to send a first signal to control a transfer of electrical energy from the permanent magnet motor to a damping component to provide damping to the permanent magnet motor.
Claims18
A controller for an aircraft assembly that includes a permanent magnet motor;
- the controller configured to:
- control the permanent magnet motor according to a damping mode;
- wherein in the damping mode the controller;
- receives electrical energy from the permanent magnet motor, wherein the electrical energy is produced as a result of kinetic energy in the aircraft assembly;
- and
- uses the electrical energy to send a first signal to control a transfer of electrical energy from the permanent magnet motor to a damping component to provide damping to the permanent magnet motor;
- wherein the damping component comprises an energy storage device;
- wherein providing the first signal causes the transferred energy to be stored in the energy storage device;
- wherein the damping component further comprises a resistive load and a third switch;
- wherein the controller is further configured to:
- in response to the energy storage device reaching a charge threshold, provide a third signal to the third switch, wherein the third signal configures the third switch to connect the resistive load to the circuit, such that energy can be transferred to and then dissipated in the resistive load.
8 more elements
A controller for an aircraft assembly that includes a permanent magnet motor;
- the controller configured to:
- control the permanent magnet motor according to a damping mode;
- wherein in the damping mode the controller;
- receives electrical energy from the permanent magnet motor, wherein the electrical energy is produced as a result of kinetic energy in the aircraft assembly;
- and
- uses the electrical energy to send a first signal to control a transfer of electrical energy from the permanent magnet motor to a damping component to provide damping to the permanent magnet motor,
- wherein the controller is further configured to:
- monitor a power line used for powering the motor by sensing a voltage, a current and/or a power level on the power line to produce data;
- and
- determine a state of the power line based on the data;
- wherein the permanent magnet motor receives electrical power from a circuit;
- wherein in the damping mode the controller is further configured to:
- provide the first signal to a first switch in order to connect or disconnect a part of the circuit,
- wherein the first switch is a Normally Open switch;
- wherein the first signal configures the first switch into a closed configuration which connects the damping component to the circuit, such that electrical energy can be transferred from the permanent magnet motor to the damping component,
- wherein the first signal is a Pulse Width Modulated signal, and the first switch is in the closed configuration for a period of time corresponding to a parameter of the PWM signal, such that the power transferred to the damping component is proportional to the parameter of the PWM signal,
- the controller further comprising a brake controller, wherein the brake controller is configured to implement a braking algorithm;
- wherein the braking algorithm configures one or more of the parameters of the PWM signal based on the data;
- wherein the braking algorithm configures one or more of the parameters of the PWM signal by:
- increasing a pulse width or a duty cycle of the PWM signal as the voltage, current and/or power level on the power line increases;
- and
- decreasing a pulse width or a duty cycle of the PWM signal as the voltage, current and/or power level on the power line decreases,
- wherein the controller is further configured to:
- provide a second signal to a second switch, wherein the second signal configures the second switch to connect or disconnect the damping component from the circuit.
21 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.