Power distribution system using solid state power controllers

• US 20060200688A1
• Filed: 02/16/2006
• Published: 09/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Leach International Corporation (Transdigm Group Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Leach International Corporation (Transdigm Group Incorporated)
• Inventors: Tofigh, Farshid, Kruppa, Otmar, Policky, Kent, Ghahramani, Iraj, Khan, Imtiaz, Lawton, David
• Granted Patent: US 7,747,879 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/300
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 1/0015 Using arc detectors
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 3/0935 the timing being determined by numerical means
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/0822 in field-effect transistor switches
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/689 with galvanic isolation between the control circuit and the output circuit H03K17/78 takes precedence

Abstract

Solid state power controllers are described that include a switch controlled by a microcontroller and communication contacts. In one aspect of the invention, the microcontroller is galvanically isolated from the communication contacts using magnetoresistive isolation. In another aspect of the invention a number of solid state power controllers are connected to an external microcontroller to form a power distribution array. In addition, messages exchanged between the external microcontroller and the solid state power controllers can be used to configure the solid state power controllers and provide a user interface.

Claims

1. An solid state power controller possessing a power connector, a load connector and at least one communication connector, comprising:

a solid state switch electrically connectable between the power connector and the load connector, where the switch includes an input;

a microcontroller coupled to the input of the solid state switch; and

isolation circuitry connected to create a galvanic barrier between the integrated microcontroller and at least one communication connector.

2. The solid state power controller of claim 1, wherein the isolation circuitry comprises one or more magnetoresistive signal isolators.

3. The solid state power controller of claim 1, wherein the solid state switch comprises a MOSFET.

4. The solid state power controller of claim 1, wherein the microcontroller is configured to generate an input to the solid state switch in accordance with at least one predetermined operational characteristic.

5. The solid state power controller of claim 4, wherein one of the predetermined operational characteristics is a rated current.

6. The solid state power controller of claim 4, wherein one of the predetermined operational characteristics is a trip current threshold.

7. The solid state power controller of claim 4, wherein the programmable microcontroller is programmed with instructions received from the external device after an initialization of the solid state power controller.

8. The solid state power controller of claim 7, wherein the programmable microcontroller is further programmed with instructions pre-stored in a memory inside the microcontroller prior to the initialization of the solid state power controller.

9. The solid state power controller of claim 1, further comprising voltage sensing circuitry connected to the microcontroller and configured to sense the voltage of at least one terminal of the solid state switch.

10. The solid state power controller of claim 1, further comprising current sensing circuitry connected to the microcontroller and configured to sense the current flowing through the solid state switch.

11. The solid state power controller of claim 1, further comprising:

an arc fault microcontroller coupled to the programmable microcontroller and adapted to detect an arc fault in circuitry connected to the power connector or the load connector of the SSPC;

wherein the arc fault microcontroller is configured to respond to the sensing of an arc fault by generating a signal to open the solid state switch.

12. The solid state power controller of claim 11, wherein the arc fault microcontroller detects arc faults with different levels of sensitivity.

13. The solid state power controller of claim 1, wherein the microcontroller is configured to detect an overcurrent condition.

14. The solid state power controller of claim 1, wherein an external device is connected to at least one of the communications connectors.

15. The solid state power controller of claim 14, wherein the external device is a microcontroller.

16. A power distribution assembly, comprising:

a plurality of solid state power controllers, each having a power connector, a load connector and at least one communication connector; and

an external microcontroller connected to each solid state power controller via the at least one communication connector;

wherein each solid state power controller includes a microcontroller that is connected to the at least one communication connector via isolation circuitry, where the isolation circuitry creates a galvanic barrier between the integrated microcontroller and the external microcontroller.

17. The power distribution assembly of claim 16, wherein the isolation circuitry includes a magnetoresitive signal isolator.

18. The power distribution assembly of claim 16, wherein:

each solid state power controller includes a solid state switch;

wherein the microcontroller in each solid state power controller is configured to control the operation of the solid state switch.

19. The power distribution assembly of claim 18, wherein:

the external microcontroller is configured to send messages to the microcontrollers in the solid state power controllers; and

the microcontrollers of the solid state power controllers are configured to respond to the messages sent by the external microcontrollers.

20. The power distribution assembly of claim 19, wherein at least one of the microcontrollers is configured to modify the manner in which the operation of the solid state switch is controlled in response to receipt of a predetermined message from the external microcontroller.

21. The power distribution assembly of claim 16, further comprising:

a keypad connected to the external microcontroller; and

at least one LED connected to each of the solid state power controllers.

22. The power distribution assembly of claim 21, wherein the keypad includes four buttons.

23. The power distribution assembly of claim 22, wherein each solid state power controllers is connected to three LEDs.

24. The power distribution assembly of claim 21, wherein the external microcontroller is configured to send messages to solid state power controllers in response to input received via the keypad.

25. The power distribution assembly of claim 21, wherein the internal microcontrollers of solid state power controllers are configured to generate signals that illuminate the LEDs and convey information to the user.

26. The power distribution assembly of claim 16, further comprising:

a computer connected to the external microcontroller;

wherein the computer generates a graphical user interface that conveys information concerning the operational characteristics of the solid state power controller to the user and enables the modification of the operational characteristics of a solid state power controller in response to instructions from the user.