DIGITAL HARNESS WITH ANALOG INPUTS

• US 20110033190A1
• Filed: 08/04/2009
• Published: 02/10/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/04/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Original Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Inventors: Padykula, Peter J., Veilleux, Leo J. JR.
• Granted Patent: US 7,948,417 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 398/117
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0215 Protecting, fastening and routing means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4246 Bidirectionally operating package structures
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4284 of optical modules with disconnectable electrical connectors latching arms for electrical connectors H01R13/627

Abstract

A digital data harness, uses a signal specific conditioning circuit to interface with analog sensors. The signal specific conditioning circuits convert data signals from analog to digital and thereby allow the signals to be transmitted over a digital data harness.

Claims

1. A digital communication cable comprising;

at least one digital communication wire;

a digital to analog/analog to digital (DA/AD) signal converter having a digital connection on a first end, and an analog connection on a second end, the DA/AD signal converter terminating at least one digital communication wire;

a set of connector pins connected to said analog connection; and

an interconnect casing encompassing a portion of said digital communication cable, said DA/AD converter, and a portion of each of said set of connector pins.

2. The digital communication cable of claim 1, wherein said interconnect casing is hermetically sealed and faraday shielded such that contamination of the DA/AD signal converter is prevented.

3. The digital communication cable of claim 1, wherein said DA/AD signal converter is a bidirectional converter.

4. The digital communication cable of claim 1, additionally comprising a power transmission component.

5. A data harness for an aircraft comprising;

a plurality of digital communication cables, each of said digital communication cables having a digital interconnect on at least one end;

said digital interconnect comprising a digital to analog/analog to digital (DA/AD) signal converter having a digital connection on a first end, and an analog connection on a second end;

a set of connector pins connected to said analog connection; and

an interconnect casing which encompasses a portion of the digital communication cable, the DA/AD signal converter, and a portion of the connector pins.

6. The data harness of claim 5, wherein said interconnect casing is hermetically sealed.

7. The data harness of claim 6, wherein said interconnect casing comprises a faraday shield.

8. The data harness of claim 7, wherein said interconnect casing is electrically terminated.

9. The data harness of claim 6, wherein said interconnect casing is at least partially filled with a non-electrically conductive potting material.

10. The data harness of claim 5, wherein said DA/AD signal converter is bidirectional.

11. The data harness of claim 5, wherein each of said digital communication cables is capable of transmitting a plurality of digital data signals simultaneously.

12. The data harness of claim 5, wherein said digital communication cables comprise fiber optic cables and said DA/AD converter comprises an electrical to optical data converter.

13. The data harness of claim 5, wherein said digital communication cables comprises at least a power transmission cable.

14. A system for connecting analog components to a digital data harness comprising;

a digital data harness;

at least one analog component having an analog output;

a signal specific conditioning circuit connecting said at least one analog component to said digital data harness, such that analog data is converted into digital data in said signal specific conditioning circuit, and transmitted over said digital data harness to at least one destination.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein said at least one destination comprises a digital data box capable of routing said data to a desired component.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein said digital harness comprises;

at least one optical cable;

an optical to electrical signal converter having an optical connection on a first end, and an electrical connection on a second end, the optical to electrical signal converter terminating the at least one optical fiber;

a set of connector pins connected to said electrical connection; and

an interconnect casing encompassing a portion of said optical cable, said converter, and a portion of each connector in said set of connector pins.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein said digital harness comprises a plurality of data lines and each of said data lines is capable of communicating multiple digital data signals simultaneously.