METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR COMMUNICATIVELY COUPLING VEHICLES AND GROUND SYSTEMS

• US 20150051788A1
• Filed: 08/16/2013
• Published: 02/19/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Lee, Donald B., Mitchell, Timothy M., Ward, Brian Edward
• Granted Patent: US 9,436,569 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/31.5
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 5/60 Testing or inspecting aircraft components or systems
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3817 containing optical and electrical conductors cables including electrical and optical conductors H01B11/22; G02B6/3816 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/32 Means for saving power
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/30 Monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3013 where the computing system is an embedded system, i.e. a combination of hardware and software dedicated to perform a certain function in mobile devices, printers, automotive or aircraft systems testing or monitoring of control systems or parts thereof G05B23/02
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 27/02 for simultaneous co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts

Abstract

Methods and systems for communicating data between a vehicle and a ground system are described. The system includes an integrated power and communications connector that couples to the vehicle so that power is supplied to at least selected systems on-board the vehicle. In addition, data is communicated between the vehicle on-board systems and the ground system via the integrated connector.

Claims

1. A method of communicating data between a vehicle and a ground system, said method comprising:

coupling an on-board pin having a power portion and an optical fiber communication portion to a ground system socket having a power portion and an optical fiber communication portion;

providing power to an on-board system via the power portions of the pin and socket; and

communicating data between the on-board system and the ground system via the optical fiber communication portions of the pin and socket.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein coupling the on-board pin and the ground system socket comprises manually connecting a first connector including the socket to a second connector including the pin.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the on-board system collects data from a plurality of monitors onboard the vehicle.

4. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the data communicated between the on-board system and the ground system comprises at least one of advanced avionics data, in-flight entertainment system data, catering system data, passenger system data, and engine monitoring data.

5. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein at least one of wireless communication and power line communication occur while communicating data via the optical fiber communication portions of the on-board pin and the ground system socket.

6. A method in accordance with claim 5 wherein at least one of wireless communication and power line communication are used as a fail-over mode in the event the optical fiber communication fails.

7. A system for communicating with a vehicle on-board system of a vehicle, the vehicle having an on-board connector comprising electrical conductors and optical fibers, said system comprising a ground sub-system for providing power to and communicating with the vehicle on-board system, said ground sub-system comprising an integrated power and communications connector comprising electrical conductors and optical fibers, when said ground system connector and said vehicle on-board connector are coupled together, power is supplied via said electrical conductors to the vehicle on-board system, and data is communicated between the vehicle on-board system and said ground sub-system via the optical fibers.

8. A system in accordance with claim 7 wherein the vehicle on-board connector comprises a pin and said ground system connector comprises a socket, and said ground system connector and the vehicle on-board connector are coupled together by pushing said socket over said pin.

9. A system in accordance with claim 7 wherein the on-board system collects data from a plurality of monitors on-board the vehicle.

10. A system in accordance with claim 7 wherein the data communicated between the vehicle on-board system and the ground sub-system comprises at least one of advanced avionics data, in-flight entertainment system data, catering system data, passenger system data, and engine monitoring data.

11. A system in accordance with claim 7 wherein at least one of wireless communication and power line communication occur while communicating data via the optical fiber communication portions of said pin and said socket.

12. A system in accordance with claim 11 wherein at least one of wireless communication and power line communication are used as a fail-over mode in the event the optical fiber communication fails.

13. A pin for facilitating power delivery and communications between an on-board system and a ground system, said pin comprising an outer conductive portion, and an inner communications portion, said inner communications portion comprising an optical fiber.

14. A pin in accordance with claim 13 wherein said pin outer conductive portion is hollow and said optical fiber is positioned within said hollow outer conductive portion.

15. A pin in accordance with claim 13 wherein said optical communication portion is coextensive with an end of said outer conductive portion.

16. A pin in accordance with claim 13 wherein said pin comprises threads for threadedly engaging said pin to a housing.