IP Library Granted Patent US 12,040,655
Granted Patent B2
US 12,040,655 · App. 17/603,202 · Granted Jul 16, 2024

Method for controlling an electrical power supply network for an aircraft

Inventors: Thomas Barraco (Moissy-Cramayel, FR); Thomas Klonowski (Moissy-Cramayel, FR); Vincent Poumarede (Moissy-Cramayel, FR)
Assignee: SAFRAN HELICOPTER ENGINES
H02J7/345H02J2310/44
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,040,655
App. No.
17/603,202
Granted
Jul 16, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

Methods for controlling an electrical power supply network for an aircraft, include pre-charging at least one capacitor in a normal operating mode when a gas turbine is available, pre-charging the at least one capacitor in a backup operating mode when the gas turbine is not available, and discharging the at least one capacitor at the end of use of the electrical power supply network when the at least one capacitor is charged.

Claims (16)

1. A method for controlling an electrical power supply network for an aircraft, the electrical power supply network comprising:

at least one generator of a turbo-alternator of the aircraft adapted to provide a source of electrical energy from a gas turbine and comprising at least one stator associated with a rectifier,

at least one distribution bus comprising at least one capacitor,

at least one electric motor to be powered associated with an inverter, and

at least one energy storage means, wherein the method comprises:

pre-charging the at least one capacitor in a normal operating mode prior to power-on of the electrical power supply network when the at least one capacitor is discharged and the gas turbine is available;

pre-charging the at least one capacitor in a backup operating mode prior to power-on of the electrical power supply network when the at least one capacitor is discharged and the gas turbine is not available; and

discharging the at least one capacitor at an end of use of the electrical power supply network when the at least one capacitor is charged.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein, in the normal operating mode, pre-charging the at least one capacitor is carried out by rotating the gas turbine until a voltage of the generator reaches a predetermined threshold voltage, the turbine then being in nominal operating mode.

3. The method according claim 2 , wherein pre-charging the at least one capacitor is carried out by a diode bridge of the rectifier.

4. The method according to claim 3 , wherein the electrical power supply network is powered-on when the at least one capacitor is pre-charged.

5. The method according to claim 4 , wherein, when a voltage of the electrical power supply network is powered-on, a voltage of the distribution bus is adapted to a no-load voltage of at least one electrical storage device.

6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein in the backup operating mode, pre-charging the at least one capacitor is carried out by changing an electromotive force of the at least one electric motor and by controlling the inverter so as to transform a kinetic energy of the electric motor into electrical energy.

7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein discharging the at least one capacitor is carried out by dissipating electrical energy of the at least one capacitor by an impedance of the electrical power supply network.

8. The method according to claim 7 , wherein dissipation of the electrical energy of the at least one capacitor is obtained by connecting, in series, stator resistors of the at least one electric motor and of the at least one generator.

9. The method according to claim 8 , wherein pre-charging the at least one capacitor in the backup operating mode comprises a preliminary step of disconnecting at least one electrical storage device.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 12, 2021
From: BARRACO, THOMAS; POUMAREDE, VINCENT; KLONOWSKI, THOMAS
To: SAFRAN HELICOPTER ENGINES
Reel/Frame 057767/0277 →
Priority Claims (1)
FR 1904095 · Apr 17, 2019 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20220185497A1 · Jun 16, 2022