AC bus tie contactor input into RAT auto-deploy

A system includes a first AC bus configured to supply power from a first generator. A first generator line contactor (GLC) selectively connects the first AC bus to the first generator. A second AC bus is configured to supply power from a second generator. A second GLC selectively connecting the second AC bus to the second generator. An auxiliary generator line contactor (ALC) is connected to selectively supply power to the first and second AC buses from an auxiliary generator. A first bus tie contactor (BTC) electrically connects between the first GLC and the ALC. A second BTC electrically connects between the ALC and the second GLC. A ram air turbine (RAT) automatic deployment controller is operatively connected to automatically deploy a RAT based on the combined status of the first GLC, the second GLC, the ALC, the first BTC, and the second BTC.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to power distribution systems, and more particularly to AC essential busses such as used in aerospace applications.

2. Description of Related Art

Traditionally, ram air turbine (RAT) automatic deployment (auto-deploy) has been performed based on generator line contactor status. This does not take into consideration system configurations when a generator source may be online but not providing power to any AC bus. This can ultimately rely on airmanship to recognize the condition and manually deploy the RAT.

The conventional techniques have been considered satisfactory for their intended purpose. However, there is an ever present need for improved systems and methods for power distribution. This disclosure provides a solution for this need.

SUMMARY

A system includes a first AC bus configured to supply power from a first generator. A first generator line contactor (GLC) selectively connects the first AC bus to the first generator. A second AC bus is configured to supply power from a second generator. A second GLC selectively connecting the second AC bus to the second generator. An auxiliary generator line contactor (ALC) is connected to selectively supply power to the first and second AC buses from an auxiliary generator. A first bus tie contactor (BTC) electrically connects between the first GLC and the ALC. A second BTC electrically connects between the ALC and the second GLC. A ram air turbine (RAT) automatic deployment controller is operatively connected to the first GLC, the second GLC, the ALC, the first BTC, and the second BTC to automatically deploy a RAT based on the combined status of the first GLC, the second GLC, the ALC, the first BTC, and the second BTC.

The RAT automatic deployment controller can be configured to deploy the RAT only if the first BTC and second BTC are both open or the ALC is open and the first GLC and the second GLC are both open. A first GLC auxiliary status contact can be connected to provide status of the first GLC to the RAT automatic deployment controller. A second GLC auxiliary status contact can be connected to provide status of the second GLC to the RAT automatic deployment controller. An ALC auxiliary status contact can be connected to provide status of the ALC to the RAT automatic deployment controller. A first BTC auxiliary status contact can be connected to provide status of the first BTC to the RAT automatic deployment controller. A second BTC auxiliary status contact can be connected to provide status of the second BTC to the RAT automatic deployment controller.

The first and second GLC auxiliary status contacts, the ALC auxiliary status contact, and the first and second BTC auxiliary status contacts can all be connected to the RAT automatic deployment controller individually. The first and second GLC auxiliary status contacts can be connected to the RAT automatic deployment controller in series with one another and can be connected in series with the ALC auxiliary status contact, wherein the first and second BTC auxiliary status contacts are connected in series with each other and are connected in parallel with the ALC auxiliary status contact.

The RAT automatic deployment controller can be configured to deploy the RAT only if the following logical condition is met: an air mode is detected for an aircraft onboard which the RAT is located; the first GLC is open; the second GLC is open; and the ALC is open OR the first and second BTC's are both open.

The first and second generators can be respectively connected to the first and second GLC's. The RAT can be operatively connected to be controlled for automatic deployment by the RAT automatic deployment controller.

A method of distributing power includes supplying power to at least one of a first AC bus and a second AC bus from at least one of a first generator, a second generator and/or an auxiliary generator. The method includes automatically deploying a ram air turbine (RAT) if the first and second AC buses are powered off.

Automatically deploying the RAT can include automatically deploying the RAT when the auxiliary generator is available to provide power but is not connected to either of the first or second AC buses. Automatically deploying the RAT can include not having a human user deploy the RAT. Automatically deploying the RAT can be performed, for example, only if the RAT is onboard an aircraft in flight. Automatically deploying the RAT can be performed, for example, only if the first and second GLC's are open and a first bus tie contactor (BTC) a second BTC are both open or an auxiliary generator line contactor (ALC) is open.

Automatically deploying the RAT can be performed, for example, only if the following logical condition is met: an air mode is detected for an aircraft onboard which the RAT is located; a first generator line contactor (GLC) selectively connecting the first AC bus to the first generator is open; a second GLC selectively connecting the second AC bus to the second generator is open; and the ALC is open OR the first and second BTC's are both open.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like reference numerals identify similar structural features or aspects of the subject disclosure. For purposes of explanation and illustration, and not limitation, a partial view of an embodiment of a system in accordance with the disclosure is shown inFIG. 1and is designated generally by reference character100. Other embodiments of systems in accordance with the disclosure, or aspects thereof, are provided inFIGS. 2-4, as will be described. The systems and methods described herein can be used to allow for automatic deployment of a ram air turbine (RAT) when a primary power source is online but not powering any loads, reducing the need to rely on airmanship to recognize the condition and manually deploy the RAT.

The system100includes a first AC bus102configured to supply power from a first generator104. A first generator line contactor (GLC)106selectively connects the first AC bus102to the first generator104. A second AC bus108is configured to supply power from a second generator110. A second GLC112selectively connects the second AC bus108to the second generator110. An auxiliary generator line contactor (ALC)114is connected to selectively supply power to the first and second AC buses102,108from an auxiliary generator116. A first bus tie contactor (BTC)118electrically connects between the first GLC106and the ALC114. A second BTC120electrically connects between the ALC114and the second GLC112. Contactor auxiliary statuses described below operatively connect a ram air turbine (RAT) automatic deployment controller122to the first GLC106, the second GLC112, the ALC114, the first BTC118, and the second BTC120to automatically deploy a RAT124(indicated inFIGS. 2-3) based on the combined status of the first GLC106, the second GLC112, the ALC114, the first BTC118, and the second BTC120. The RAT automatic deployment controller122can be configured to deploy the RAT if the first GLC106and the second GLC112are both open, and either the ALC114is open or both the first BTC118and second BTC120are both open.

With reference now toFIG. 2, a first GLC auxiliary status contact126can be connected to provide status of the first GLC106to the RAT automatic deployment controller122. A second GLC auxiliary status contact128can be connected to provide status of the second GLC112to the RAT automatic deployment controller122. An ALC auxiliary status contact130can be connected to provide status of the ALC114to the RAT automatic deployment controller122. A first BTC auxiliary status contact132can be connected to provide status of the first BTC118to the RAT automatic deployment controller122. A second BTC auxiliary status contact134can be connected to provide status of the second BTC120to the RAT automatic deployment controller122.

With continued reference toFIG. 2, the first and second GLC auxiliary status contacts126,128can be connected to the RAT automatic deployment controller122in series with one another and can be connected in series with the ALC auxiliary status contact130. The first and second BTC auxiliary status contacts132,134are connected in series with each other and are connected in parallel with the ALC auxiliary status contact130. This configuration inherently provides the logic shown schematically inFIG. 4. It is also contemplated that the first and second GLC auxiliary status contacts126,128, the ALC auxiliary status contact130, and the first and second BTC auxiliary status contacts132,134can all be connected to the RAT automatic deployment controller122to be sensed individually, as shown inFIG. 3, wherein the logic schematically shown inFIG. 4is embedded or programed. As indicated inFIG. 4, under either the configuration ofFIG. 2orFIG. 3, the RAT automatic deployment controller122is configured to deploy the RAT124only if the following logical condition is met: an air mode is detected for an aircraft onboard which the RAT124is located; the first GLC106is open; the second GLC is open128; and the ALC114is open OR the first and second BTC's132,134are both open.

A method of distributing power includes supplying power to at least one of a first AC bus102and a second AC bus108from at least one of a first generator104, a second generator110and/or an auxiliary generator116. The method includes automatically deploying a RAT124if the first and second GLC's106,112are powered off.

Automatically deploying the RAT124even if the auxiliary generator116is online can include automatically deploying the RAT124when the auxiliary generator116is available to provide power but is not connected to either of the first or second AC buses102,108. Automatically deploying the RAT124can include not having a human user deploy the RAT124. Automatically deploying the RAT124can be performed, for example, only if the RAT124is onboard an aircraft in flight. Automatically deploying the RAT124can be performed, for example, only if a first BTC118and a second BTC120are both open or an ALC114is open, and both a first GLC106and a second GLC128are open.

Automatically deploying the RAT124can be performed, for example, only if the following logical condition is met: an air mode is detected for an aircraft onboard which the RAT124is located; a first GLC106selectively connecting the first AC bus102to the first generator104is open; a second GLC112selectively connecting the second AC bus108to the second generator110is open; and the ALC114is open OR the first and second BTC's118,120are both open.

The methods and systems of the present disclosure, as described above and shown in the drawings, allow for automatic deployment of a ram air turbine (RAT) when a primary power source is online but not powering any loads, reducing the need to rely on airmanship to recognize the condition and manually deploy the RAT. While the apparatus and methods of the subject disclosure have been shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that changes and/or modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the subject disclosure.