NONVOLATILE STATUS INDICATOR SWITCH
First Claim
1. An aircraft electrical system comprising:
- a fault detection circuit coupled to a relay; and
a fault indicator circuit coupled to the fault detection circuit and to a control input of the relay;
wherein the fault indicator circuit includes a nonvolatile memory element;
wherein the fault detection circuit is configured to detect a fault and to provide a signal indicative of the fault to the fault indicator circuit; and
wherein the fault indicator circuit is configured to respond to the signal indicative of the fault by providing a predetermined control signal to the relay and by storing information indicative of the detection of the fault in the nonvolatile memory element.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A non-volatile status indicator switch is provided. In one embodiment, the invention relates to an aircraft electrical system including a fault detection circuit coupled to a relay, and a fault indicator circuit coupled to the fault detection circuit and to a control input of the relay, wherein the fault indicator circuit includes a nonvolatile memory element, wherein the fault detection circuit is configured to detect a fault and to provide a signal indicative of the fault to the fault indicator circuit, and wherein the fault indicator circuit is configured to respond to the signal indicative of the fault by providing a predetermined control signal to the relay and by storing information indicative of the detection of the fault in the nonvolatile memory element.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. An aircraft electrical system comprising:
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a fault detection circuit coupled to a relay; and a fault indicator circuit coupled to the fault detection circuit and to a control input of the relay; wherein the fault indicator circuit includes a nonvolatile memory element; wherein the fault detection circuit is configured to detect a fault and to provide a signal indicative of the fault to the fault indicator circuit; and wherein the fault indicator circuit is configured to respond to the signal indicative of the fault by providing a predetermined control signal to the relay and by storing information indicative of the detection of the fault in the nonvolatile memory element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for controlling a relay in an airplane electrical system, the method comprising:
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detecting at least one fault; storing a record of the at least one fault using a solid state nonvolatile memory; maintaining the record of the at least one fault in the absence of power; clearing the record of the at least one fault when a reset signal is received; and opening a relay to stop a flow of power to a load in the airplane electrical system when the at least one fault is stored.
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19. A fault indicator circuit comprising:
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an input logic circuit configured to receive a fault signal indicative of a detection of a fault and a reset signal indicative of a request to reset the fault; and an electromechanical switch coupled to an output of the input logic circuit, where the output of the input logic circuit is derived from the fault signal and the reset signal; wherein the electromechanical switch is configured to control a relay in response to the output of the input logic circuit; and wherein the electromechanical switch is surrounded by a shielding material that reduces an impact of external magnetic fields on operation of the electromechanical switch. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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Specification