An aircraft comprises a fuselage, a set of electrical equipment items distributed in the fuselage, and a hybrid electrical power distribution and data communication network. The latter comprises a set of buses comprising at least one electrical power distribution bus extending, at least partly, in a longitudinal direction of the fuselage. A set of data links is associated with each bus of the set of buses. The bus and the associated set of data links each comprise connection points at different locations distributed along their length, forming pairs of connection points. Each of the electrical equipment items of the set of electrical equipment items is linked to a pair of connection points via a local electrical power supply link and/or via a local data link.

A DC power supply for lighting includes low voltage driver electronics for any suitable load such as lighting along with a supervisory controller that communicates to the driver electronics via any suitable digital communication protocol. Each driver's output ports include a 3rd wire that communicates to the low voltage load fixture for the purpose of auto-negotiating the appropriate power level without first having to energize the fixture.

A DC power supply for lighting includes low voltage driver electronics for any suitable load such as lighting along with a supervisory controller that communicates to the driver electronics via any suitable digital communication protocol. Each driver's output ports include a 3rd wire that communicates to the low voltage load fixture for the purpose of auto-negotiating the appropriate power level without first having to energize the fixture.

A hybrid power generation system is presented. The hybrid power generation system includes a generator operable via a prime mover and configured to generate an alternating current (AC) power. The hybrid power generation system further includes a first power converter electrically coupled to the generator, where the first power converter includes a direct current (DC) link. Furthermore, the hybrid power generation system includes a DC power source configured to be coupled to the DC-link. Moreover, the hybrid power generation system also includes a second power converter. Additionally, the hybrid power generation system includes an integration control sub-system operatively coupled to the first power converter and the DC power source. The integration control sub-system includes at least one bypass switch disposed between the DC power source and the DC-link and configured to connect the DC power source to the DC-link via the second power converter or bypass the second power converter.

A hybrid power generation system is presented. The hybrid power generation system includes a generator operable via a prime mover and configured to generate an alternating current (AC) power. The hybrid power generation system further includes a first power converter electrically coupled to the generator, where the first power converter includes a direct current (DC) link. Furthermore, the hybrid power generation system includes a DC power source configured to be coupled to the DC-link. Moreover, the hybrid power generation system also includes a second power converter. Additionally, the hybrid power generation system includes an integration control sub-system operatively coupled to the first power converter and the DC power source. The integration control sub-system includes at least one bypass switch disposed between the DC power source and the DC-link and configured to connect the DC power source to the DC-link via the second power converter or bypass the second power converter.

A method of controlling an alternator in a marine propulsion system includes receiving a battery voltage level of a battery charged by the alternator, receiving a throttle demand value, determining whether the throttle demand value exceeds a demand threshold, and determining whether the battery voltage level exceeds a threshold minimum battery voltage. If the throttle demand value exceeds the demand threshold and the battery voltage level exceeds the threshold minimum battery voltage, then the alternator is controlled to reduce the charge current output to the battery and reduce engine output power utilized by the alternator.

A power distribution node and method of associating a permanent identity includes a node communication input port and a node communication output port, a first power controller having a first switchable element and a first controller module configured to operate the first switchable element, the first controller module having a first communication input port connected with the node communication input port and a first communication output port, and a second power controller having a second switchable element.

A power distribution node and method of associating a permanent identity includes a node communication input port and a node communication output port, a first power controller having a first switchable element and a first controller module configured to operate the first switchable element, the first controller module having a first communication input port connected with the node communication input port and a first communication output port, and a second power controller having a second switchable element.

A power distribution node and method of initializing the node, includes a node communication input port and a node communication output port, a first power controller having a first switchable element and a first controller module configured to operate the first switchable element, the first controller module having a first communication input port connected with the node communication input port and a first communication output port, and a second power controller having a second switchable element.

A power distribution node and method of initializing the node, includes a node communication input port and a node communication output port, a first power controller having a first switchable element and a first controller module configured to operate the first switchable element, the first controller module having a first communication input port connected with the node communication input port and a first communication output port, and a second power controller having a second switchable element.