US 8,836,160 B1 · Method and application for vehicle power system isolation

Abstract

Presented is a system and method for providing electrical isolation in vehicle power systems. The method comprises placing linear optimized isolation transformers in structures of a vehicle at positions that minimize the propagation of energy spikes into internal electronic systems, for example in the wing root of an aircraft where electrical cables from a generator associated with an engine enter the fuselage. The system includes a linear optimized isolation transformer with a core that has primary side winding isolated from a secondary side winding by an isolation dielectric. The isolation dielectric maintains a high value isolation independent of pressure differences due to operation at different altitudes. In embodiments, linear optimized isolation transformers for each phase of a power distribution system couple power from a generator through a structure of a vehicle thereby increasing electrical isolation of electrical components inside the structure from electrical surges originating outside the structure.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A method for power system isolation in a vehicle, the method comprising:

providing a linear transformer of a type having a figure-eight shaped core with a center core member, and wires of a primary side wound around one portion of said center core member, and wires of a secondary side wound around a second portion of said center core member, said linear transformer including an isolation dielectric having an H shape that fills all of the space between the primary side and the secondary side that is not occupied by the figure-eight shaped core;
placing said linear transformer in line with at least one electrical cable between an output of a generator and one or more components and systems receiving power from said generator inside a cage that functions as a Faraday Cage to protect said one or more components and systems;
and
positioning said linear transformer relative to said cage such that primary side terminals of said linear transformer reside outside said cage and secondary side terminals of said linear transformer reside inside said cage, thereby providing power isolation for said one or more components and systems inside said Faraday Cage from said electrical cable.

1 more element

A vehicle, comprising:

a multi-phase power distribution system that electrically couples a generator to at least one electrical component;
a cage that functions as a Faraday Cage into which electrical power from said generator passes, said cage housing said at least one electrical component;
and
a plurality of linear transformers of a type having a figure-eight shaped core with a center core member, and wires of a primary side wound around one portion of said center core member and having primary side terminals, and wires of a secondary side wound around a second portion of said center core member, each of said linear transformers including an isolation dielectric having an H shape that fills all of the space between the primary side and the secondary side that is not occupied by the figure-eight shaped core, and having secondary side terminals, each of said plurality of linear transformers associated with a different phase of said multi-phase power distribution system and positioned relative to said cage such that said primary side terminals of said linear transformer reside outside said cage and said secondary side terminals of said linear transformer reside inside said cage, thereby providing power isolation for said at least one electrical component inside said cage.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and application for vehicle power system isolation

Life of this patent

Method and application for vehicle power system isolation

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15