System and method for sustaining electric power during a momentary power interruption in an electric thrust reverser actuation system
AssigneeHoneywell International Inc.
InventorTerry J. Ahrendt
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An electric thrust reverser actuation system includes an electric motors that is controlled to operate in both a motoring mode and a generating mode. During normal actuation system operations, the electric motor is controlled to operate in the motoring mode to move one or more moveable thrust reverser components. During a power interrupt event, in which the motor's primary power source is lost, the motor is controlled to operate in the generating mode. The electrical power generated by the motor during its operation in the generating mode maintains the thrust reverser system locking mechanisms in an energized, unlocked condition, thereby preventing damage to system components.
Claims38
A system for controlling the movement of a thrust reverser, comprising:
- an electric motor coupled to receive electrical power from a power source via one or more supply lines and being operable to operate in a motoring mode and a generating mode;
- one or more moveable actuators coupled to the electric motor and operable to move the thrust reverser between a stowed position and a deployed position in response to rotation of the electric motor;
- a monitor circuit coupled to the power source and being operable to produce a status signal indicative of an electrical status thereof;
- and
- controller circuit coupled to receive the status signal from the monitor circuit and being operable, in response thereto, to control the electric motor to operate in the generating mode when the status signal indicates the power source is deenergized, whereby the electric motor supplies electrical power to the one or more supply lines.
A system for controlling the movement of a thrust reverser, comprising:
- an electric motor coupled to receive electrical power from a power source via one or more supply lines, and being operable to operate in a motoring mode and a generating mode;
- one or more actuators coupled to the electric motor and operable to move the thrust reverser between a stowed position and a deployed position in response to rotation of the electric motor;
- a monitor circuit coupled to the power source and being operable to produce a status signal indicative of an electrical status thereof;
- and
- a controller circuit coupled to receive the status signal from the monitor circuit and being operable, in response thereto, to control the electric motor to operate (i) in the motoring mode when the status signal indicates the electric power source is energized and (ii) in the generating mode when the status signal indicates the electric power source is deenergized, whereby the electric motor supplies electrical power to the one or more supply lines.
A system for controlling the movement of a thrust reverser, comprising:
- an AC power source;
- a first rectification circuit coupled to the AC power source and being operable to provide DC electrical power to one or more supply lines;
- an electric motor coupled to receive the DC electrical power from the one or more supply lines and being operable to operate in a motoring mode and a generating mode;
- one or more actuators coupled to the electric motor and operable to move the thrust reverser between a stowed position and a deployed position in response to rotation of the electric motor;
- a monitor circuit coupled to the AC power source and being operable to produce a status signal indicative of an electrical status thereof,
- a controller circuit coupled to receive the status signal from the monitor circuit and being operable to provide inverter control signals in response thereto;
- and
- an inverter circuit coupled between the one or more supply lines and the electric motor, and additionally coupled to receive the inverter control signals from the controller circuit,
- wherein the controller circuit, in response to the received status signal, supplies the inverter controls signals to the inverter circuit to cause the electric motor to operate:
- (i) in the motoring mode when the status signal indicates the electric power source is energized;
- and
- (ii) in the generating mode when the status signal indicates the electric power source is deenergized, whereby the electric motor supplies electrical power to the one or more supply lines.
In a thrust reverser system including an electric motor coupled to receive electrical power from a power source via one or more supply lines, and being operable to operate in a motoring mode and a generating mode, and one or more thrust reverser actuators coupled to the electric motor, a method of sustaining electric power in the one or more supply lines during a momentary interruption of the electrical power from the power source, the method comprising:
- supplying the electrical power from the power source, via the one or more supply lines, to operate the electric motor in the motoring mode;
- determining an electrical status of the power source;
- and
- operating the electric motor in the generating mode when the determined electrical status is that the power source is deenergized, whereby the electric motor supplies electrical power to the one or more supply lines.
A method of sustaining electric power during a momentary power interruption in an electrical thrust reverser actuation system, the method comprising:
- coupling an electric motor to receive electrical power to receive electrical power from a power source via one or more supply lines to operate the motor in a motoring mode to operate the thrust reverser actuation system;
- coupling one or more actuators to the electric motor;
- determining a status of the power source;
- operating the electric motor in the motoring mode when the determined status is that the power source is energized;
- and
- operating the electric motor in a generating mode when the determined status is that the power source is deenergized.
A method of sustaining electric power during a momentary power interruption in an electrical thrust reverser actuation system, the method comprising:
- coupling an electric motor to receive electrical power to receive electrical power from a power source via one or more supply lines to operate the motor in a motoring mode;
- coupling one or more thrust reverser actuators to the electric motor;
- coupling one or more electrically powered locking mechanisms to the one or more supply lines;
- determining a status of the power source;
- operating the electric motor in the motoring mode when the determined status is that the power source is energized;
- operating the electric motor in a generating mode when the determined status is that the power source is deenergized;
- and
- sustaining a voltage potential in the one or more supply lines, via a capacitance element, during a transition period between the operation of the electric motor in the motoring mode and in the generating mode,
- wherein the motive force for rotating the electric motor during its operation in the generating mode comes from rotational momentum that is residual from its operation in the motoring mode.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.