Simplified power system for a cabin services system for an aircraft

• US 7,597,286 B2
• Filed: 12/16/2005
• Issued: 10/06/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Mitchell, Bradley J., Callahan, Kevin S., Lamoree, Bret L., Laib, Trevor M., Lee, Donald B., Sanford, William C.
• Primary Examiner(s): DINH, TIEN QUANG
• Application Number:
  US11/303,498
• Publication Number:
  US 20070057121A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,390 Days
• Field of Search: 244/118.5, 174/97, 174/48, 362/404, 439/94, 439/110, 439/121, 439/527
• US Class Current: 244/118.5
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 2221/00 Electric power distribution systems onboard aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/00 Installations of electric cables or lines or protective tubing therefor in or on buildings, equivalent structures or vehicles installations of bus-bars H02G5/00; overhead installations H02G7/00; installations in or on the ground H02G9/00
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/32 using mounting clamps

Abstract

A mounting rail system for a cabin services system of an aircraft is disclosed. The mounting rail system comprises a mounting rail for providing power, and at least one circuit coupled to the mounting rail for allowing for operation of functionalities of a passenger services unit.

Claims

1. A mounting rail system for a cabin services system of an aircraft, the mounting rail system comprising:

a mounting rail having an electrically conductive portion for providing both electrical power to a passenger service unit and structural support for the passenger service unit; and

at least one circuit coupled to the mounting rail for allowing for operation of functionalities of a passenger services unit the mounting rail further comprising a plurality of openings that receive a non-conductive support that clips onto the electrically conductive portion of the mounting rail.

2. The mounting rail system of claim 1 wherein the at least one circuit comprises:

a simplified overhead electronics unit (SOEU);

a first electrical circuit coupled to the mounting rail and the SOEU for allowing operation of essential functions while electrically connected to the mounting rail; and

a second electrical circuit coupled to the mounting rail and the SOEU for allowing operation of non-essential functions while electrically connected to the mounting rail.

3. The mounting rail system of claim 2 wherein the SOEU comprises:

a first converter for providing power to the mounting rail for the electrical circuit; and

a second converter for providing power to the mounting rail for the second electrical circuit.

4. The mounting rail system of claim 2, wherein the first electrical circuit and the second electrical circuit operate alternately based upon a polarity of the power of the mounting rail, and wherein the SOEU utilizes a discrete signal to trigger a reversal of polarities.

5. The mounting rail system of claim 2 wherein the SOEU provides power to an oxygen passenger service unit module, wherein the oxygen passenger service unit module comprises:

a battery charging circuit coupled to the battery and the mounting rail for charging the battery during normal operation, the battery charging circuit being protected by a first diode;

an emergency oxygen function coupled to the battery, the emergency oxygen function being protected by a second diode; and

an oxygen mask door latch solenoid coupled to the mounting rail which is powered during non-normal operation.

6. The mounting rail system of claim 1 further comprising an electrical spring contact that clips onto the electrically conductive portion of the mounting rail.

7. The mounting rail system of claim 1 wherein the non-conductive support that clips onto the electrically conductive portion of the mounting rail, supports both an electrical spring contact and the passenger service unit.

8. A passenger services system for an aircraft comprising:

a passenger service unit for communicating wirelessly with the cabin attendant panel;

a passenger control unit for communicating wirelessly with the passenger service unit; and

a mounting rail system coupled to the passenger service unit, the mounting rail system comprising;

a mounting rail having an electrically conductive portion for providing both electrical power to a passenger service unit and structural support for the passenger service unit; and

at least one circuit coupled to the mounting rail for allowing for operation of functionalities of a passenger services unit the mounting rail further comprising a plurality of openings that receive a non-conductive support that clips onto the electrically conductive portion of the mounting rail.

9. The passenger services system of claim 8 wherein the at least one circuit comprises:

a simplified overhead electronics unit (SOEU);

a first electrical circuit coupled to the mounting rail and the SOEU for allowing operation of essential functions while electrically connected to the mounting rail; and

a second electrical circuit coupled to the mounting rail and the SOEU for allowing operation of non-essential functions while electrically connected to the mounting rail.

10. The passenger services system of claim 9 wherein the first electrical circuit and the second electrical circuit operate alternately based upon the polarity of the power of the mounting rail.

11. The passenger services system of claim 10 wherein the SOEU utilizes a discrete signal to trigger the reversal of polarities.

12. The passenger services system of claim 9 wherein the first electrical circuit and the second electrical circuit operate concurrently.

13. The passenger services system of claim 9 wherein the SOEU comprises:

a first converter for providing power to the mounting rail for the electrical circuit; and

a second converter for providing power to the mounting rail for the second electrical circuit.

14. The passenger services system of claim 9 wherein the SOEU provides power to an oxygen passenger service unit module.

15. The passenger services system of claim 14 wherein the oxygen passenger service unit module comprises:

a battery charging circuit coupled to the battery and the mounting rail for charging the battery during normal operation, the battery charging circuit being protected by a first diode;

an emergency oxygen function coupled to the battery, the emergency oxygen function being protected by a second diode;

an oxygen mask door latch solenoid coupled to the mounting rail which is powered during non-normal operation.

16. A wireless passenger service network for providing cabin services in an aircraft, the network comprising:

a service unit including;

a wireless receiver;

a controller operatively connected to the wireless receiver; and

a plurality of cabin service elements operatively connected to the controller and each configured to provide a cabin service; and

a control unit including;

a plurality of switches corresponding to a respective plurality of the cabin service elements;

a wireless transmitter operatively connected to the switches and configured to transmit a control signal to the wireless receiver of the service unit when one of the switches is actuated to cause the controller to actuate the service element corresponding to the actuated switch; and

a mounting rail system comprising;

a mounting rail having an electrically conductive portion for providing both electrical power to a passenger service unit and structural support for the passenger service unit; and

at least one circuit coupled to the mounting rail for allowing for operation of functionalities of the service unit the mounting rail further comprising a plurality of openings that receive a non-conductive support that clips onto the electrically conductive portion of the mounting rail.

17. An aircraft comprising a plurality of wireless passenger service networks each configured to provide cabin services and each including:

a service unit including a wireless receiver;

a controller operatively connected to the wireless receiver; and

a plurality of cabin service elements operatively connected to the controller and each configured to provide a cabin service; and

a control unit including;

a plurality of switches corresponding to a respective plurality of the cabin service elements;

a wireless transmitter operatively connected to the switches and configured to transmit a control signal to the wireless receiver of the service unit when one of the switches is actuated to cause the controller to actuate the cabin service element corresponding to an appropriate activated switch; and

a mounting rail system comprising;

a mounting rail having an electrically conductive portion for providing both electrical power to a passenger service unit and structural support for the passenger service unit; and

at least one circuit coupled to the mounting rail for allowing for operation of functionalities of the service unit the mounting rail further comprising a plurality of openings that receive a non-conductive support that clips onto the electrically conductive portion of the mounting rail.

18. An aircraft comprising a cabin services system configured to provide cabin services and including:

a plurality of wireless networks each including a passenger service unit having a plurality of cabin service elements each configured to provide a cabin service;

a cabin attendant panel in wireless communication with the plurality of wireless networks and configured to control at least one of the cabin service elements; and

a mounting rail system comprising;

a mounting rail having an electrically conductive portion for providing both electrical power to a passenger service unit and structural support for the passenger service unit; and

at least one circuit coupled to the mounting rail for allowing for operation of functionalities of a passenger service unit the mounting rail further comprising a plurality of openings that receive a non-conductive support that clips onto the electrically conductive portion of the mounting rail.

19. A method of manufacturing an aircraft, the method comprising:

installing a mounting rail system;

the mounting rail system comprising;

a mounting rail having an electrically conductive portion for providing both electrical power to a passenger service unit and structural support for the passenger service unit; and

the mounting rail further comprising a plurality of openings that receive a non-conductive support that clips onto the electrically conductive portion of the mounting rail

at least one circuit coupled to the mounting rail for allowing for operation of functionalities of a wireless passenger service unit;

installing a plurality of wireless passenger service units each including a plurality of cabin service elements configured to respectively provide a plurality of cabin services, wherein the service units are installed such that the service elements are in operative proximity with a respective seat of the aircraft; and

installing a plurality of wireless passenger control units each including a plurality of switches respectively corresponding to a respective plurality of the cabin service elements, wherein the passenger control units are installed in operative proximity with a corresponding plurality of seats and in wireless operative proximity with a respective one of the passenger service units.