Self-powered communications link for smart circuit breakers
First Claim
1. A circuit breaker communication system for use in an aircraft comprising:
- a circuit breaker comprising a button configured to move in response to, and provide a visual indication of, an operating status of the circuit breaker, and an optically transparent window disposed on said button;
an electronic module associated with the circuit breaker, the electronic module configured to record and store data associated with at least one operating parameter of the circuit breaker;
a transmitter in communication with the electronic module, the transmitter configured to transmit data associated with at least one operating parameter of the circuit breaker through the window to an optical communication link;
a receiver in communication with the electronic module, the receiver configured to receive signals from an optical communication link;
a portable communication unit for downloading the stored data from the electronic module, the portable communication unit including a power source, a display unit, a processor unit, a communication interface, and a keypad; and
a cable for interconnecting the portable communication unit to the electronic module, the cable configured to carry a data signal between the portable communication unit and the electronic module, and to provide power to the electronic module from the power source;
wherein the electronic module is operable from the portable communication unit power source when power to the circuit breaker is interrupted.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A circuit breaker communication system is provided including a circuit breaker, an electronic module to record and store data associated with the operation of the circuit breaker, and a portable communication unit for downloading the stored data. The portable communication unit includes a power source, a display unit, a processor unit, a communication interface, and a keypad. Also, a cable is provided for interconnecting the portable communication unit to the electronic module. The cable is configured to carry a data signal between the portable communication unit and the electronic module, and to conduct power to the electronic module from the power source. The system may include an optical communication link to transmit to or receive signals from the circuit breaker, a transmitter to transmit data to the optical communication link; and a receiver to receive signals from the optical communication link.
242 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A circuit breaker communication system for use in an aircraft comprising:
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a circuit breaker comprising a button configured to move in response to, and provide a visual indication of, an operating status of the circuit breaker, and an optically transparent window disposed on said button; an electronic module associated with the circuit breaker, the electronic module configured to record and store data associated with at least one operating parameter of the circuit breaker; a transmitter in communication with the electronic module, the transmitter configured to transmit data associated with at least one operating parameter of the circuit breaker through the window to an optical communication link; a receiver in communication with the electronic module, the receiver configured to receive signals from an optical communication link; a portable communication unit for downloading the stored data from the electronic module, the portable communication unit including a power source, a display unit, a processor unit, a communication interface, and a keypad; and a cable for interconnecting the portable communication unit to the electronic module, the cable configured to carry a data signal between the portable communication unit and the electronic module, and to provide power to the electronic module from the power source; wherein the electronic module is operable from the portable communication unit power source when power to the circuit breaker is interrupted. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification