초록 ▼

A direct current (DC) power distribution system is provided for an aircraft. The system includes a DC system bus configured to carry electrical power from a source of electrical power to a plurality of electrical loads. The electrical loads are onboard the aircraft. The DC system bus includes a load

A direct current (DC) power distribution system is provided for an aircraft. The system includes a DC system bus configured to carry electrical power from a source of electrical power to a plurality of electrical loads. The electrical loads are onboard the aircraft. The DC system bus includes a load side. The system includes a plurality of power converter modules that are electrically coupled in series to the DC system bus on the load side of the DC system bus. The power converter modules are configured to be electrically attached to corresponding sub-sets of the electrical loads. At least one of the power converter modules is configured to be short circuited in response to a fault such that the at least one power converter module does not supply electrical power to the corresponding subset of the electrical loads.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A direct current (DC) power distribution system for an aircraft, the system comprising: a DC system bus configured to carry electrical power from an alternating current (AC) power source of electrical power to a plurality of electrical loads, the electrical loads being onboard the aircraft, the D

1. A direct current (DC) power distribution system for an aircraft, the system comprising: a DC system bus configured to carry electrical power from an alternating current (AC) power source of electrical power to a plurality of electrical loads, the electrical loads being onboard the aircraft, the DC system bus comprising a load side;a source power converter module comprising an AC to DC converter and a DC to DC converter comprising two switches, the source power converter module being, configured to convert AC power to DC power and being electrically coupled in series to the DC system bus on a source side of the DC system bus and being electrically coupled to the source for supplying the DC system bus with DC power;a plurality of load power converter modules electrically coupled in series to the DC system bus on the load side of the DC system bus, the power converter modules being configured to be electrically attached to corresponding sub-sets of the electrical loads, wherein at least one of the load power converter modules is configured to be short circuited in response to a fault such that the at least one load power converter module does not supply electrical power to the corresponding subset of the electrical loads; anda controller electrically coupled to the DC system bus, the controller being configured to operate the two switches of the DC to DC converter of the source power converter module to maintain an electrical current of the DC system bus at a commanded value. 2. The DC power distribution system of claim 1, wherein the at least one load power converter module comprises a DC to DC converter that is configured to short circuit the at least one load power converter module, the DC to DC converter comprising two diode-switch pairs and two terminals, the terminals being configured to supply electrical power to the corresponding sub-set of the electrical loads when both of the switches of the diode-switch pairs are open. 3. The DC power distribution system of claim 1, wherein the at least one load power converter module comprises a DC to DC converter that is configured to short circuit the at least one load power converter module, the DC to DC converter comprising at least one switch and at least one terminal, the at least one terminal being configured to supply electrical power to the corresponding sub-set of the electrical loads when the at least one switch is open. 4. The DC power distribution system of claim 1, wherein the at least one load power converter module is configured to be short circuited in response to the fault without interrupting the flow of electrical current to the corresponding sub-set of the electrical loads. 5. The DC power distribution system of claim 1, wherein at least one other load power converter module is configured to supply electrical power to the corresponding sub-set of the electrical loads when the at least one load power converter module is short circuited. 6. The DC power distribution system of claim 1, wherein the load power converter modules comprise at least one DC to alternating current (AC) power converter module that is configured to convert DC power into AC power, the sub-set of the electrical loads that corresponds to the at least one DC to AC power converter module comprising at least one AC load. 7. An aircraft comprising: an airframe;a source of electrical power onboard the airframe;a plurality of electrical loads onboard the airframe; anddirect current (DC) power distribution system according to claim 1. 8. The aircraft of claim 7, wherein the at least one load power converter module comprises a DC to DC converter that is configured to short circuit the at least one load power converter module, the DC to DC converter comprising, two diode-switch pairs and two terminals, the terminals being configured to supply electrical power to the corresponding sub-set of the electrical loads when both of the switches of the diode-switch pairs are open. 9. The aircraft of claim 7, wherein the at one least load power converter module is configured to be short circuited in response to the fault without interrupting the flow of electrical current to the corresponding sub-set of the electrical loads. 10. The aircraft of claim 7, wherein the load power converter modules comprise at least one DC to alternating current (AC) power converter module that is configured to convert DC power into AC power, the sub-set of the electrical loads that corresponds to the at least one DC to AC power converter module comprising at least one AC load. 11. The aircraft of claim 7, wherein at least one of the electrical loads is a DC load.