Power distribution system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11235888-B2
Application number	US-201916509621-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 12, 2019
Priority date	Jul 13, 2018
Publication date	Feb 1, 2022
Grant date	Feb 1, 2022

Abstract

A power distribution system can include a power source, a power distribution unit, and at least one electrical load supplied by the power distribution unit. A detection circuit can be utilized in the power distribution system to sense or detect the occurrence of an electrical failure within the power or electrical unit.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A power distribution system, comprising:
a chassis defining an inner surface and an interior, and wherein at least a portion of the inner surface includes a conductive detection layer;
at least one power distribution component received within the interior and configured to supply power from a power source to an electrical load and disposed within the interior; and
a fault detection circuit comprising:
a voltage sensor configured to sense a voltage at the conductive detection layer;
a controller module communicatively connected with the voltage sensor and configured to receive the sensed voltage at the conductive detection layer, to compare the sensed voltage to a threshold value, and upon satisfaction of the comparison, to indicate an arcing event between the at least one power distribution component and the conductive detection layer of the chassis has occurred.

2. The power distribution system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one power distribution component is a solid state power controller.

3. The power distribution system of claim 1 , wherein the chassis is adapted to hold a set of circuit boards including the at least one power distribution component.

4. The power distribution system of claim 1 , wherein the conductive detection layer is biased to a predetermined non-zero voltage.

5. The power distribution system of claim 4 , wherein the threshold value is the predetermined non-zero voltage.

6. The power distribution system of claim 4 , wherein the conductive detection layer is biased to the predetermined non-zero voltage by an impedance electrically connecting the conductive detection layer with voltage source.

7. The power distribution system of claim 6 , wherein the voltage source is one of a circuit board received within the interior of the chassis or the at least one power distribution component.

8. The power distribution system of claim 1 , wherein all inner surfaces include the conductive detection layer.

9. The power distribution system of claim 1 , wherein, upon satisfaction of the comparison, the controller module is further configured to disable the supplying of power from the power source to the at least one power distribution component.

10. The power distributions system of claim 1 , wherein the conductive detection layer can include a conductive layer patterned on at least the portion of the inner surface.

11. The power distribution system of claim 10 , wherein the conductive detection layer includes a serpentine pattern on at least the portion of the inner surface.

12. The power distribution system of claim 10 , wherein the conductive detection layer comprises a heat deformable layer.

13. The power distribution system of claim 12 , wherein the heat deformable layer is selected to deform in response to a localized arcing event or in response to resistive heating due to current conducted during an arcing event, and wherein the deforming modifies the sensed voltage at the conductive detection layer.

14. A method of operating a power distribution system, the method comprising:
sensing, by a voltage sensor, a voltage at a conductive detection layer disposed on an inner surface of a chassis housing at least one power distribution component;
receiving, by a controller module, the sensed voltage from the voltage sensor;
comparing, by the controller module, the sensed voltage to a threshold voltage value; and
upon satisfaction of the comparing, disable a supplying of power from a power source to the at least one power distribution component.

15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising, upon satisfaction of the comparing, providing indication that an arcing event between the at least one power distribution component and the conductive detection layer of the chassis has occurred.

16. The method of claim 14 , further comprising biasing the voltage at the conductive detection layer to a predetermined non-zero voltage.

17. The method of claim 14 , further comprising disposing the conductive detection layer on the inner surface of the chassis in a geometric pattern.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the geometric pattern is a serpentine pattern.

19. The method of claim 14 , wherein the conductive detection layer is a heat deformable conductive detection layer.

20. The method of claim 19 , further comprising selecting the heat deformable conductive detection layer such that the heat deformable conductive detection layer deforms in response to a localized arcing event or in response to resistive heating due to current conducted during an electrical fault event, and wherein the deforming modifies the sensed voltage at the heat deformable conductive detection layer.

Assignees

• Ge Aviat Systems Ltd

Inventors

• Compton Russell Mark
• Collins John Oliver
• Handy Peter James

Classifications

• H02J2105/32

  for aircrafts · CPC title

• H02J2101/10

  Dispersed power generation using fossil fuels, e.g. diesel generators · CPC title

• G01R31/1272 Primary

  of cable, line or wire insulation, e.g. using partial discharge measurements (locating faults in cables G01R31/083) · CPC title

• G01R31/086

  in power transmission or distribution networks, i.e. with interconnected conductors · CPC title

• H02H3/00

  Emergency protective circuit arrangements for automatic disconnection directly responsive to an undesired change from normal electric working condition with or without subsequent reconnection (specially adapted for specific types of electric machines or apparatus or for sectionalised protection of cable or line systems H02H7/00; systems for change-over to standby supply H02J9/00 ){; integrated protection (for motors H02H7/0822)} · CPC title