POWER SUPPLY APPARATUS

• US 20160244006A1
• Filed: 12/18/2015
• Published: 08/25/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: William M. Challancin
• Original Assignee: William M. Challancin
• Inventors: Challancin, William M.
• Granted Patent: US 10,079,488 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 2221/00 Electric power distribution systems onboard aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 47/00 Equipment not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 1/082 Plural DC voltage, e.g. DC supply voltage with at least two different DC voltage levels
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/44 for aircrafts

Abstract

A power supply apparatus for use with an aircraft can include an aircraft interface input adapted for operatively connecting to and receiving DC power from an aircraft'"'"'s power bus, and a single connection input adapted for operatively connecting to and supplying power and communications to a plurality of aircraft devices. The apparatus can include a DC to DC electrical converter that converts the DC power received from the aircraft power bus and converts the power to appropriate voltages for powering the aircraft devices.

Claims

1. A power supply apparatus for use with an aircraft comprising:

(a) means for operatively connecting to and receiving DC power from an aircraft power source having a first voltage;

(b) means for operatively connecting to and powering a plurality of aircraft helmet devices;

(c) means for converting the DC power received from the aircraft power source having the first voltage to a converted DC power having a second voltage adapted for powering the plurality of aircraft helmet devices; and

(d) means for supplying the converted DC power to the plurality of aircraft helmet devices, whereby the plurality of aircraft helmet devices is powered by the aircraft power source.

2. The power supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of aircraft helmet devices comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of night vision goggles, a helmet mounted flashlight, an active noise reduction device, an audio speaker, a helmet mounted microphone and an oxygen mask mounted microphone.

3. The power supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for operatively connecting to and receiving DC power from an aircraft power source having a first voltage comprises a cannon plug.

4. The power supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the aircraft power supply comprises an electrical bus.

5. The power supply apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first voltage is selected from the group consisting of 14 volts and 28 volts.

9. The power supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for converting the DC power received from the aircraft power source having the first voltage to a converted DC power having a second voltage adapted for powering at least one device comprises a DC to DC electrical converter.

10. The power supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for supplying the converted DC power to the at least one aircraft helmet device comprises a ten conductor cable.

6. The power supply apparatus according to claim, wherein the means for operatively connecting to and powering the plurality of aircraft helmet devices comprises a single plug connect input.

7. The power supply apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the means for operatively connecting to and powering the plurality of aircraft helmet devices further comprises a single plug connect cable operatively engaged to the single plug connect input.

8. The power supply apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the single plug connect input comprises a ten pin connector and the single plug connect cable comprises a ten conductor cable.

11. A power supply apparatus for use with an aircraft comprising:

(a) an aircraft interface input adapted for operatively connecting to and receiving DC power from an aircraft power source having a first voltage;

(b) a single connection input adapted for operatively connecting to and supplying power and audio to a plurality of aircraft helmet devices; and

(c) a DC to DC electrical converter adapted for converting the DC power received from the aircraft power source having the first voltage to a converted DC power having a second voltage adapted for powering the plurality of aircraft helmet devices.

12. The power supply apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the plurality of aircraft helmet devices comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of night vision goggles, a helmet mounted flashlight, an active noise reduction device, an audio speaker, a helmet mounted microphone and an oxygen mask mounted microphone.

13. The power supply apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the aircraft interface input comprises a cannon plug, the aircraft power supply comprises an electrical bus, and the single connection input comprises a ten pin connector.

14. The power supply apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the first voltage is selected from the group consisting of 14 volts and 28 volts.

15. The power supply apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a housing supporting the aircraft interface input, the single connection input, and the DC to DC electrical converter, wherein the housing is adapted for being installed in redundant space of a radio rack of the aircraft.

16. The power supply apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising an oxygen mask jack adapted for operatively connecting to and supplying power to an oxygen mask microphone attached to an oxygen mask connected to an aircraft helmet, whereby the oxygen mask microphone can be powered without an electrical interface between the oxygen mask and the helmet.

17. The power supply apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the plurality of aircraft helmet devices comprises a helmet mounted microphone, and further comprising a selector switch adapted for switching between supplying power to the helmet mounted microphone and the oxygen mask microphone.

18. The power supply apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a standard microphone jack, and a standard headphone jack.

19. A power supply kit comprising:

(a) an aircraft interface input adapted for operatively connecting to and receiving DC power from an aircraft power source having a first voltage;

(b) a single connection input adapted for operatively connecting to a plurality of aircraft helmet devices comprising night vision goggles, an audio speaker, and a helmet mounted microphone;

(c) a DC to DC electrical converter adapted for converting the DC power received from the aircraft power source having the first voltage to a converted DC power having a second voltage adapted for powering the plurality of aircraft helmet devices;

(d) a housing supporting the aircraft interface input, the single connection input, and the DC to DC electrical converter, wherein the housing is adapted for being installed in redundant space of a radio rack of the aircraft;

(e) an night vision goggles adaptor adapted for mounting on and operatively connecting to the night vision goggles; and

(f) a single plug connect cable operatively connected to the single connection input and the adaptor, whereby the night vision goggles are supplied power.

20. The power supply kit according to claim 19, wherein the night vision goggles adaptor comprises a secondary power source for powering night vision goggles comprising a battery.