Piller Power Systems Energy Conditioning, Power Supply and Frequency Conversion Systems for the Airline Industry

Piller offers the aviation industry customised system solutions in high-quality energy conditioning, an uninterruptible power supply and frequency conversion.

Piller is a world leader in mission-critical uninterruptible power systems and has been renowned for the quality of its products and services since its formation in 1909.

Piller’s headquarters and manufacturing plant is located in Osterode, near Hannover, Germany, with global facilities in the US, South America, Australasia and Europe with approximately 800 employees.

Frequency conversion systems

For more than 30 years, Piller has been the supplier of 400Hz systems to both the civil and military branches. Worldwide, Piller is unique in that it supplies both static and rotary UPS and ground power supply systems.

Piller’s ground power equipment such as the APOJET AJS, the APOJET AJR and the APOJET AJT can be found in operation at major airports throughout the world. Piller provides customised solutions for each project which include the design of the 400Hz cable layout, calculation of the 400Hz voltage drop, planning of the cabling and installation and matching the interfaces between system components.

Static frequency converter from 40kVA to 200kVA

The APOJET AJS static frequency converter is designed to generate 400Hz power in workshops for aircraft equipment services or in hangars. Using the latest state-of-the-art technology and newest trends in the power electronics field and digital control, the system offers the best solution for aircraft ground power supply systems without any harmful harmonic distortion back in the mains. The benefits of the APOJET AJS include:

• Regulated rectifier with IGBTs (THD at input current <5%)
• Fully-controlled inverter with IGBTs
• Pulse-width modulation
• Special earth leakage protection
• Stable operating performance due to microprocessor control

Rotary frequency converter from 20kVA to 180kVA

The APOJET AJR rotary frequency converter is designed to generate 400Hz power for aircraft as a decentralised ground power system mounted on the apron or by the rotunda.

Using the latest state-of-the-art technology for system control and based on several decades of experience in the manufacture of rotary converters, the APOJET AJR offers the best reliability for aircraft ground power supply systems with high overload capability and no mains disturbance. The benefits of the APOJET AJR include:

• Monobloc converter (two bearings only)
• High overload capability
• Noise-reducing compact design (one cabinet containing converter and switchgear)
• Special earth leakage protection
• Stable operating performance due to microprocessor control

Gatebox from 90kVA to 180kVA

The APOJET AJT step-down transformer (gatebox) is designed to step-down the high 400Hz transmission voltage supplied by a centralised ground power system. The system can be installed either on the apron or beside a boarding bridge. It is also available as a two-cabinet version. Using the latest state-of-the-art technology and newest trends in the power electronics field and digital control, the APOJET AJT offers the best solution for aircraft ground power supply systems. The benefits of the APOJET AJT include:

• Electronically regulated output voltage (by thyristor)
• Fully-controlled by microcontrollers
• Remote voltage sensing
• High degree of user-friendliness
• Interface for remote control and centralised control / indication, PC or modem connection

Cable storage system

The APOCOIL cable reeler system stores 400Hz power cables at boarding bridges and aprons by using a motor-driven coiling drum. The system is mounted either under the front end of the boarding bridge, on top of a frequency converter or on a support stand on the apron. The APOCOIL is operated by push buttons at the aircraft plug and / or via a remote control panel. Optionally it is equipped with 400Hz power cable and aircraft plug in accordance with a customer’s specification. The benefits of the APOCOIL include:

• Aluminium housing with integrated termination box
• Aluminium coiling drum with spiral channel for single jacket cable
• Cable pressure reeler
• Cable guide at inlet
• Limit switches

Uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems

Piller’s rotary UPS systems (patented UNIBLOCK range) represent the highest quality and most reliable power supply for critical applications. The systems are available with battery, flywheel energy storage device or integrated diesel engine in a performance range between 150kVA and 3,000kVA. Static UPS units from 3kVA up to 400kVA are available as a complementary product for smaller installations. The benefits of Piller’s rotary UPS systems include:

• UPS systems up to 50MVA
• Leading and lagging output power factor without derating
• Unlimited crest factor and 100% load step capability
• Inherent fault clearing ability for short circuit faults without bypass
• Natural sine-wave output