Tray adapted back up power supply for avionics equipment
First Claim
1. A method for providing a back up power supply for avionics equipment, comprising the steps of:
- (a) utilizing a back up power supply that includes a self contained power source;
(b) combining said back up power supply with the avionics equipment such that the combination of equipment fits into a conventional equipment tray; and
(c) retrofitting the combination of said power supply and said avionics equipment into a conventional equipment tray without rewiring the aircraft.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The invention provides a back up power supply for avionics equipment that can be installed in existing avionics equipment trays without having to rewire the aircraft. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention (described for illustrative purposes in the context of providing a power supply back up for a cockpit voice recorder (CVR)), the power supply/CVR combination is retrofit in an existing CVR rack. The power supply is modular; removable/replaceable; and is “independent” relative to the main aircraft power source and wiring. The modular power supply is designed to fit into a conventional CVR tray; and the modular power supply is designed to accept an existing CVR. According to a preferred embodiment, the power supply is “plug compatible” with the existing electrical connector in the CVR tray and includes circuitry which allows both the power supply and CVR to be tested using the existing CVR test button in the cockpit; and to report faults from either unit using existing aircraft wiring. The power supply includes circuitry which automatically electrically disconnects it from the CVR and exposed pins when the power supply is removed from the CVR tray.
17 Citations
40 Claims
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1. A method for providing a back up power supply for avionics equipment, comprising the steps of:
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(a) utilizing a back up power supply that includes a self contained power source;
(b) combining said back up power supply with the avionics equipment such that the combination of equipment fits into a conventional equipment tray; and
(c) retrofitting the combination of said power supply and said avionics equipment into a conventional equipment tray without rewiring the aircraft. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
(a) coupling said power supply directly to the coupling in a conventional tray that is connected to aircraft wiring; and
(b) coupling said avionics equipment to said power supply.
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10. A method as set forth in claim 1 further comprising the steps of:
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(a) coupling said avionics equipment directly to the coupling in a conventional equipment tray that is connected to aircraft wiring; and
(b) coupling said power supply to said avionics equipment.
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11. A method as set forth in claim 1 further comprising the step of terminating power from said back up power supply to said avionics equipment after a predetermined period of time.
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12. A method as set forth in claim 1 further comprising the step of automatically decoupling the negative pole of said power supply whenever said power supply is removed from an equipment tray.
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13. A method for providing a back up power supply for avionics equipment, comprising the steps of:
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(a) fabricating a back up power supply module, including a self contained power source, that is plug compatible with a conventional tray avionics equipment connector; and
(b) fabricating said power supply module to be plug compatible with said avionics equipment, the combination of said power supply and said avionics equipment being able to fit substantially within said tray.
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14. An independent power supply for an avionics instrument, comprising:
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(a) a chassis adapted to electrically and mechanically couple to an existing avionics equipment tray;
(b) a first mating electrical connection mounted on said chassis for mating with the electrical connection the existing avionics equipment tray;
(b) a second mating electrical connection mounted on said chassis for mating with the avionics instrument; and
(c) mounting means on said chassis for mounting the avionics instrument on said chassis.
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15. An independent power supply for a cockpit voice recorder, comprising:
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(a) a chassis, said chassis being able to fit into and couple with the same tray as an existing cockpit voice recorder;
(b) a first mating electrical connection mounted on said chassis for mating with the electrical connection of a cockpit voice recorder tray;
(c) a second mating electrical connection mounted on said chassis for mating with a cockpit voice recorder; and
(d) mounting means on said chassis for mounting the cockpit voice recorder to said chassis. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A cockpit voice recorder and independent power supply combination retrofittable to an existing cockpit voice recorder tray in place of the existing cockpit voice recorder, comprising:
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(a) an independent power supply having an exterior configuration which mates with the existing cockpit voice recorder tray in substantially the same manner as the existing cockpit voice recorder; and
(b) a solid state cockpit voice recorder having means for electrically and mechanically coupling to said independent power supply. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. A cockpit voice recorder and independent power supply, comprising:
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(a) a chassis adapted to electrically and mechanically couple to an existing cockpit voice recorder tray;
(b) a cockpit voice recorder mounted on said chassis;
means for storing a charge mounted on said chassis; and
(c) means for automatically electrically coupling said means for storing a charge to said cockpit voice recorder upon an aircraft power failure. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40)
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Specification