MODULAR PRIMARY DISTRIBUTION CONTACT BOARD

• US 20090273234A1
• Filed: 05/05/2008
• Published: 11/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation (Rtx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Wavering, Jeffrey T., Maier, Josef, Belisle, Francis C.
• Granted Patent: US 8,559,149 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/9.100
• CPC Class Codes: H02B 1/24 Circuit arrangements for boards or switchyards
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/00 Installations of electric cables or lines or protective tubing therefor in or on buildings, equivalent structures or vehicles installations of bus-bars H02G5/00; overhead installations H02G7/00; installations in or on the ground H02G9/00
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1457 Power distribution arrangements

Abstract

An aircraft power distribution system is disclosed that includes a power distribution box. A generator supplies power to the power distribution box, and a load receives power from the power distribution box. The power distribution box includes a board supporting plug-in pins receiving the power. A contactor is supported by the board to selectively providing power to a secondary power distribution connector supported on the board. The board includes power traces that are run within the board to connect the plug-in pins to the secondary power distribution connector. Protection and secondary power distribution circuitry is also supported by the board and connected to the contactors and/or power traces by control traces. The power and control traces eliminate loose wiring and harnesses.

Claims

1. An aircraft power distribution system comprising:

a power distribution box;

a generator supplying power to the power distribution box;

a load receiving power from the power distribution box; and

wherein the power distribution box includes a board supporting plug-in pins receiving power, a contactor supported by the board and configured to selectively provide power to a secondary power distribution connector supported on the board in response to a command, the board including power traces connecting the plug-in pins to the secondary power distribution connector.

2. The system according to claim 1, comprising current-sensing circuitry supported by the board and connected to at least one of the plug-in pins and the power traces, the current-sensing circuitry configured to monitor current to the power traces.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the current-sensing circuitry commands the contactors from a closed position to an open position in response to an undesired current.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein the contactor includes a plunger electrically connecting first and second contacts in a closed position, the plunger moved between the closed and open positions in response to an actuator receiving the command.

5. The system according to claim 2, comprising a secondary circuit board supported by the board, the current-sensing circuitry mounted on the secondary circuit board.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the contactor is permanently secured to the board.

7. The system according to claim 1, comprising secondary power distribution circuitry supported by the board and configured to provide the command.

8. The system according to claim 7, comprising a connector supported on the board and in communication with a control remote from the board, the connector in communication with the secondary power distribution circuitry, and the control configured to send the command.

9. The system according to claim 8, comprising a secondary circuit board supported by the board, the secondary power distribution circuitry mounted on the secondary circuit board.

10. The system according to claim 8, comprising control traces arranged within at least one of the board and secondary circuit board interconnecting the secondary power distribution circuitry to the contactor and connector.

11. The system according to claim 1, comprising circuit breakers supported on the board and configured to selectively discontinue power to the load in response to a current overload.

12. The system according to claim 1, comprising a housing enclosing the board.

13. A power distribution panel comprising:

a board supporting plug-in pins receiving the power, a contactor supported by the board and configured to selectively provide power to a secondary power distribution connector supported on the board in response to a command, the board including power traces connecting the plug-in pins to the secondary power distribution connector;

current-sensing circuitry supported by the board and connected to at least one of the plug-in pins and the power traces, the current-sensing circuitry configured to monitor current to the power traces; and

secondary power distribution circuitry supported by the board and configured to provide the command.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein the current-sensing circuitry commands the contactors from a closed position to an open position in response to an undesired current.

15. The system according to claim 14, wherein the contactor includes a plunger electrically connecting first and second contacts in a closed position, the plunger moved between the closed and open positions in response to an actuator receiving the command.

16. The system according to claim 13, comprising a secondary circuit board supported by the board, the current-sensing circuitry mounted on the secondary circuit board.

17. The system according to claim 13, wherein the contactor is permanently secured to the board, and comprising circuit breakers supported on the board and configured to selectively discontinue power to the load in response to a current overload.

18. The system according to claim 13, comprising a connector supported on the board and configured to communicate with a control remote from the board, the connector in communication with the secondary power distribution circuitry.

19. The system according to claim 18, comprising a secondary circuit board supported by the board, the secondary power distribution circuitry mounted on the secondary circuit board.

20. The system according to claim 18, comprising control traces arranged on at least one of the board and secondary circuit board interconnecting the secondary power distribution circuitry to the contactor and connector.