The goal is to develop solid-state electrical distribution units that could react more quickly than conventional slower electro-mechanical switches to manage peak power flow. The quicker reaction is needed to protect aircraft equipment drawing the power, GE Aviation officials said.
The need for faster switching and power distribution management is increasing as aircraft become more dependent on electric equipment, said Austin Schaffter, vice president of electrical power systems for GE Aviation, an operating unit of General Electric.
GE’s advanced engineering group in Vandalia and Cheltenham, England, is to design, build, test and ship a prototype solid-state electrical distribution unit, which distributes electricity aboard an aircraft after generators create the power.