US 11,757,382 B2
Motor control system, method of operating a motor control system and aircraft
Sebastian Mores, Munich (DE); and Benjamin Kirsch, Heidelberg (DE)
Assigned to Volocopter GmbH, Bruchsal (DE)
Filed by Volocopter GmbH, Bruchsal (DE)
Filed on Nov. 2, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/86,961.
Claims priority of application No. 19218764 (EP), filed on Dec. 20, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2021/0194394 A1, Jun. 24, 2021
Int. Cl. H02P 5/46 (2006.01); B64D 27/24 (2006.01); H02P 29/024 (2016.01); B64D 45/00 (2006.01); B64U 30/20 (2023.01)
CPC H02P 5/46 (2013.01) [B64D 27/24 (2013.01); H02P 29/024 (2013.01); B60L 2200/10 (2013.01); B60L 2220/42 (2013.01); B64D 2045/0085 (2013.01); B64U 30/20 (2023.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A motor control system (1) for an aircraft (18), the motor control system comprising:
a plurality of motors (3), each of said motors having a motor control unit (2) for controlling a respective one of the motors (3), each of said motor control units (2) comprising a primary motor controller (COM) configured to provide motor control commands (9) to said corresponding motor (3);
a system controller (COMstring) in communication connection with each of said plurality of primary motor controllers (COM), said system controller (COMstring) being configured to provide motor control commands (9) to said primary motor controllers (COM);
a system monitoring unit (MONstring) in connection with said system controller (COMstring) for monitoring an operation thereof;
at least one sensor (4) for determining an operation state of at least one of said plurality of motors (3), said sensor (4) in operative connection with said system monitoring unit (MONstring);
wherein said system monitoring unit (MONstring) is configured to disable communication at least one of between said system control unit (COMstring) and said primary motor controllers (COM) or between said primary motor controllers (COM) and said motors (3) based on at least one of an outcome of said monitoring or of said determining of the operation state;
wherein each of said motor control units (2) comprises a primary switch (11), said primary switch (11) being located between said primary motor controller (COM) and the corresponding motor (3); and said system monitoring unit (MONstring) is in connection with each of said primary switches (11) for controlling a switching state thereof.