Systems and methods for controlling aircraft electrical power
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsJeffrey J. White, David K. Toy, J. Everett Groat
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and methods for controlling aircraft electrical power are disclosed. A system in accordance with one embodiment includes an electric motor, an aircraft load coupled to the electric motor and powered by the electric motor, and a motor controller coupled to the electric motor to vary an output of the electric motor. The motor controller is changeable among a fixed number of preset controller modes, with individual controller modes corresponding to an operation mode of the aircraft and a non-zero output level of the electric motor. In further embodiments, motor controllers can be substituted for each other, e.g., in the event one motor controller becomes unoperational.
Claims19
A method for controlling an aircraft system, the method comprising:
- in an aircraft power system of an aircraft:
- during a first mode of operation of the aircraft power system, receiving, by the aircraft power system, an indication of entering an operation mode of the aircraft;
- automatically selecting a generally constant output level from among a fixed number of multiple, preset output levels, based at least in part on the indication;
- directing, using a first motor controller in the aircraft power system, a first electric motor to produce the selected output level;
- directing, using a second motor controller in the aircraft power system, a second electric motor;
- receiving a request for a change from the first mode of operation to a second mode of operation of the aircraft power system;
- and
- during the second mode of operation of the aircraft power system:
- decoupling the first motor controller from the first electric motor;
- decoupling the second motor controller from the second electric motor;
- coupling the second motor controller to the first electric motor in place of the first motor controller.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.