A method of predicting a health status of an integrated drive generator (IDG) includes determining an effective deviation across a plurality of IDG output frequencies for a given IDG operation period. The method includes correlating the effective deviation to an IDG capability to determine a health of the IDG. A system for predicting a health status of an integrated drive generator (IDG) includes an IDG and a generator control unit (GCU) operatively connected to the IDG to determine a plurality of IDG output frequencies for a given IDG operation period. The system includes a central processing unit (CPU) operatively connected to the GCU to receive the IDG output frequencies therefrom. The CPU is configured and adapted to determine an effective deviation across at least some of the plurality of IDG output frequencies for the given IDG operation period, and correlate the effective deviation to an IDG capability to determine a health of the IDG.

A system including a variable frequency generator (VFG) including a generator configured to conduct alternating current to a first rectifier configured to convert alternating current from the VFG to direct current and drive it to an HVDC Bus Network, a variable frequency second generator including a second generator configured to conduct alternating current to a second rectifier configured to convert alternating current from the second generator to direct current and conduct it to the HVDC Bus Network, a speed correcting gearbox operatively connected to the VFG configured to align generator frequency to the second generator frequency, and a VFG control unit operatively connected to the generator configured to control the VFG, and a second generator control unit operatively connected to the second generator and the HVDC Bus Network configured to control the second generator.

An aircraft power generation unit to generate power provided to a load includes a permanent magnet generator (PMG) that includes first, second, third and fourth sets of windings, each of the winding sets including three windings and a control coil and a rectifier section that includes first through third six pulse rectifiers, a DC to DC to converter and a common local output bus. The unit also includes an output bus configured to be connected to the load and including a positive output bus rail and a negative output bus rail, wherein the negative output bus rail is connected to the negative output of the DC to DC converter and a controller that receives an input signal from at least one of the output sets and selectively couples the DC to DC converter and one or more of the first, second and third six-pulse rectifiers to the output bus.

Disclosed is an energy management system for an aircraft. The system includes an electric machine including a stator surrounding a rotor having permanent magnets disposed therein, wherein rotation of the rotor causes an alternating current to be generated in windings of the stator that is uncontrolled. The system includes an electric propulsion system. The system includes a bidirectional power converter having a first side connected to the electric machine and a second side galvanically isolated from the first side and connected to the electric propulsion system. The bidirectional power converter includes a switching network that regulates power associated with the electric machine and power transfer across the bidirectional power converter. The switching network is operable to satisfy collective power flows of the electric machine and the electric propulsion system through the bidirectional power converter.

Embodiments are directed to systems and methods for managing electrical load in an aircraft comprising a generator coupled to an aircraft engine, and a power distribution controller configured to monitor current engine operating parameters and to reduce an electrical load on the generator when the engine operating parameters reach a limit during specified aircraft operating conditions. The system may further comprise a non-essential electrical bus coupled to the generator, wherein the electrical load on the generator is reduced by disconnecting the non-essential bus from the generator. The generator may be coupled to the aircraft engine via an accessory gearbox or a transmission gearbox. The monitored current engine operating parameters comprise one or more of an engine torque, a gas generator RPM, and a temperature. The aircraft operating conditions may comprise one or more of a takeoff, a landing, or an engine failure.

A power management system may include an energy source and a generator driven by a gas turbine engine to output generator power to a common bus. A source power converter is electrically coupled between the energy source and the common bus. A controller circuitry includes an adaptive filter to filter a power signal indicative of power consumption of a variable load on the common bus, and outputs a filtered signal as a load demand signal to the generator. A source demand error signal is also output to control the source power converter to supply power from the energy source to the common bus. The controller circuitry is further configured to automatically adjust the adaptive low pass filter in accordance with the power consumption of the dynamic load and the load demand signal of the generator.

Methods and systems for operating a hybrid electric aircraft propulsion system. The method comprises providing alternating current (AC) electric power to a first electric motor to drive a first rotating propulsor, providing the first electric motor with AC electric power from at least one motor inverter operatively coupled to a direct current (DC) power source, detecting a failure in a path to the first electric motor, and selectively rearranging a first switching arrangement between the generator, the at least one motor inverter, and the first electric motor.

A method of controlling an overly determined actuator system that has a first number of actuators (a.sub.i) which is greater than a second number of the actuators needed to perform a predetermined physical task. The method includes: automatically controlling the first number of actuators by a control unit (CU) for jointly performing the predetermined physical task; repeatedly checking a functional state of the first number of actuators to detect an actuator failure of any one thereof; in case of any detected actuator failure, generating at least one emergency signal (EM) representative of an adapted physical task to be performed by a remaining number of the actuators. The emergency signal is generated based on kinematics of the actuator system, on known physical capacities at least of the remaining actuators, and optionally on a computational performance model of the actuator system. The adapted physical task includes activating each of the remaining actuators below a predetermined threshold of maximum physical load on a respective actuator and activating the ensemble of remaining actuators in a way to prevent further damage to the actuator system. An emergency control system and an aircraft are also provided.

A system can include a first generator configured to operate in a first speed range to produce a predetermined output characteristic, a second generator configured to operate at a second speed range different from the first speed range to produce the predetermined output characteristic, and a controller configured to activate the first generator at and/or above a first low activation speed and at and/or below a first high activation speed within the first speed range. The controller can be configured to activate the second generator at and/or above a second low activation speed within the second speed range. The controller can be configured to deactivate the first generator at and/or above a first high deactivation speed. The controller can be configured to deactivate the second generator at and/or below a second low deactivation speed.

Disclosed is an energy management system for an aircraft. The system includes an electric machine including a stator surrounding a rotor having permanent magnets disposed therein, wherein rotation of the rotor causes an alternating current to be generated in windings of the stator that is uncontrolled. The system includes an electric propulsion system. The system includes a bidirectional power converter having a first side connected to the electric machine and a second side galvanically isolated from the first side and connected to the electric propulsion system. The bidirectional power converter includes a switching network that regulates power associated with the electric machine and power transfer across the bidirectional power converter. The switching network is operable to satisfy collective power flows of the electric machine and the electric propulsion system through the bidirectional power converter.