System for powering and controlling a device associated with a rotating component on aircraft
First Claim
1. A system for providing power and control information to a device associated with a rotating component of an aircraft, comprising:
- a power supply supported on the aircraft that remains stationary when the rotating component rotates;
an electrical coupling that accommodates relative rotation between the device and the power supply and conducts electrical power from the power supply to the device;
a device controller supported to rotate with the device; and
a stationary controller supported on the aircraft to remain stationary when the rotating component rotates, the stationary controller communicating with the device controller using synchronously modulated communication signals that are transmitted through the electrical coupling.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for providing power and communication signals to a device associated with a rotating component on an aircraft includes a communication strategy that allows power and command signals to be propagated along the same conductors. A stationary controller provides power and command signals to a controller that is supported for rotation with the rotating device. Only two slip rings are required to communicate power and command signals between the stationary and rotating controllers. Synchronous modulation preferably is used for sending the command signals to avoid interference from noise inherent in slip ring electrical couplings. A multi-zone propeller deicing heater is one example device that is controllable using the inventive approach.
30 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for providing power and control information to a device associated with a rotating component of an aircraft, comprising:
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a power supply supported on the aircraft that remains stationary when the rotating component rotates;
an electrical coupling that accommodates relative rotation between the device and the power supply and conducts electrical power from the power supply to the device;
a device controller supported to rotate with the device; and
a stationary controller supported on the aircraft to remain stationary when the rotating component rotates, the stationary controller communicating with the device controller using synchronously modulated communication signals that are transmitted through the electrical coupling. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of powering and controlling a device associated with a rotating component on an aircraft, comprising the steps of:
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providing an electrical coupling that accommodates relative rotation between the device and another portion of the aircraft;
supplying power to the device across the electrical coupling; and
sending synchronously modulated communication signals to the device across the same electrical coupling including at least one command signal indicative of a desired operation of the device. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A propeller assembly for use on an aircraft, comprising:
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a plurality of propeller blades supported to rotate relative to another portion of the aircraft;
at least one electrical device supported to rotate with the propeller blades;
a power supply supported on the aircraft that remains stationary when the propeller blades rotate;
an electrical coupling that accommodates relative rotation between the electrical device and the power supply and conducts electrical power from the power supply to the device;
a device controller supported to rotate with the device; and
a stationary controller supported on the aircraft to remain stationary when the propeller blades rotate, the stationary controller communicating with the device controller using synchronously modulated communication signals that are transmitted through the electrical coupling. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification