SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SECURING AND PROTECTING AIRCRAFT LINE REPLACEABLE UNITS WITH STATUS INDICATOR UNDER A PASSENGER SEAT

• US 20110079682A1
• Filed: 10/05/2010
• Published: 04/07/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jamco America, Inc. (JAMCO Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Jamco America, Inc. (JAMCO Corporation)
• Inventors: Raybell, Shawn, Lightbody, Stephanie, Natsume, Norikazu
• Granted Patent: US 8,464,982 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 244/122.R
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/06 Arrangements of seats, or adaptations or details specially adapted for aircraft seats crew seat constructions for emergency purposes B64D25/04
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/0624 Arrangements of electrical connectors, e.g. for earphone, internet or electric supply
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53 Means to assemble or disassemble
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/5313 Means to assemble electrical device

Abstract

Systems and methods of retrofitting a commercial passenger aircraft with a mounting system that secures and protects a line replaceable unit (LRU) are disclosed. An exemplary embodiment is a mounting system for a regulatory compliant passenger power outlet system.

Claims

1. A mounting system for securing line replaceable units (LRUs) of an aircraft passenger cabin system, comprising:

at least one housing unit configured to secure to a floor track on a cabin floor of the aircraft,

wherein the at least one housing unit is configured to be disposed below one or more passenger seats,

wherein the at least one housing unit is not secured to the one or more passenger seats, and

wherein the at least one housing unit is not secured to corresponding seat supports that are coupled to the floor track;

a system status indicator device extension member extending to a passenger aisle of the commercial passenger aircraft, wherein the system status indicator device extension member is secured to the housing unit; and

a system status indicator device located at an end of the system status indicator device extension member, wherein the system status indicator device is visible to a person traversing the passenger aisle of the aircraft.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the system status indicator device is a light.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the housing unit is in de minimus contact with at least one of the passenger seats and the seat supports.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the system status indicator device extension member is in de minimus contact with at least one of the passenger seats and the seat supports.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a raceway configured to secure to a floor track on a cabin floor of the commercial passenger aircraft, and configured to house a connection residing in the housing unit; and

a raceway end cap at an end of the raceway, and configured facilitate extension of the connection through a connector on the floor track.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the LRU is a commercial aircraft passenger power outlet system, wherein the housing unit is an electrical power outlet housing unit, and wherein the system status indicator device is a power-in-use indicator device.

7. A mounting system for securing a commercial aircraft passenger power outlet system, comprising:

at least one outlet housing unit configured to secure to a floor track on a cabin floor of the commercial aircraft,

wherein the at least one outlet housing unit is configured to be disposed below one or more passenger seats,

wherein the at least one outlet housing unit is independent of the one or more passenger seats, and

wherein the at least one outlet housing unit is independent of corresponding seat supports that are coupled to the floor track;

at least one power outlet secured to each outlet housing unit, and configured to provide power to an electronic device of a passenger;

a power-in-use indicator device extension member with a first end secured to the housing unit, wherein the power-in-use indicator device extension member extends substantially to a passenger aisle of the commercial passenger aircraft; and

a power-in-use indicator device located at a second end of the power-in-use indicator device extension member, wherein the power-in-use indicator device is visible to a person traversing the passenger aisle of the commercial aircraft, and wherein the power-in-use indicator device indicates power use.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the power-in-use indicator device is a light.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the outlet housing unit is in de minimus contact with at least one of the passenger seats and the seat supports.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein the power-in-use indicator device extension member is in de minimus contact with at least one of the passenger seats and the seat supports.

11. An aircraft line replaceable unit (LRU) system, comprising:

a plurality of aircraft passenger seats adjacently mounted along a passenger aisle by a plurality of seat supports, wherein each of the seat supports are secured to one of a plurality of floor tracks on a cabin floor of the aircraft;

an outlet housing unit secured to the floor track and disposed below the aircraft passenger seats, wherein the outlet housing unit is mounted to the floor track independent of the aircraft passenger seats and the seat supports;

a power-in-use indicator device extension member with a first end secured to the housing unit, wherein the power-in-use indicator device extension member extends substantially to a passenger aisle of the aircraft; and

an indicator device located at an opposing second end of the power-in-use indicator device extension member, wherein the power-in-use indicator device is visible to a person traversing the passenger aisle of the aircraft to indicate use of an electronic device coupled to the outlet housing unit.

12. The LRU system of claim 11, further comprising:

at least one power outlet secured the outlet housing unit, and configured to provide power to an electronic device of a passenger,

wherein the indicator device indicates power use by the electronic device coupled to the power outlet.

13. The LRU system of claim 12, further comprising:

a power supply enclosure mounted to the floor track, wherein a transformer residing in the power supply enclosure is configured to receive electrical power from a power system of the aircraft and is configured to convert the power to a voltage and frequency used by the electronic device coupled to the power outlet.

14. The LRU system of claim 11, further comprising:

at least passenger-accessible device coupler disposed in the outlet housing unit, and configured to provide communications to an electronic device of a passenger,

wherein the indicator device indicates communication by the electronic device coupled to the passenger-accessible device coupler.

15. The LRU system of claim 11, wherein the passenger-accessible device coupler is a uniform serial bus (USB) port.

16. The LRU system of claim 11, further comprising:

at carry-on baggage restraint bar disposed below the aircraft passenger seats,

wherein the outlet housing unit is mounted to the floor track independent of the carry-on baggage restraint bar.