Power adapter for an aircraft

• US 7,682,198 B1
• Filed: 12/13/2007
• Issued: 03/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Wesley M. Plattner
• Original Assignee: Wesley M. Plattner
• Inventors: Plattner, Wesley M.
• Primary Examiner(s): VU, HIEN D
• Application Number:
  US11/955,543
• Time in Patent Office: 831 Days
• Field of Search: 439/638, 439/652, 244/114.R
• US Class Current: 439/638
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/26 for vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/02 Intermediate parts for distributing energy to two or more circuits in parallel, e.g. splitter with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/92
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/06 Intermediate parts for linking two coupling parts, e.g. adapter with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/94

Abstract

A power adapter for an aircraft. The aircraft has an electrical system and an auxiliary electrical system disposed thereon, wherein the auxiliary electrical system is not integrated with the electrical system. The power adapter has a body portion, a first connector terminal disposed on the body portion for receiving electrical power from an external power source, a second connector terminal disposed on the body portion and electrically connected to the first connector terminal for supplying electrical power to the electrical system of the aircraft, and a third connector terminal electrically connected to the first connector terminal for supplying electrical power to the auxiliary electrical system.

Claims

1. A power adapter for an aircraft having an electrical system and an auxiliary electrical system disposed thereon, wherein the auxiliary electrical system is not integrated with the electrical system, the power adapter comprising:

a substantially rectangular, substantially rigid body portion, the body portion having a bottom surface for supporting the body portion, a front surface that extends upward from the bottom surface, and a top surface that is spaced from the bottom surface by the front surface and a rear surface to define the height of the body portion, wherein the height of the body portion is the smallest dimension of the body portion, the first connector terminal is disposed in the front surface of the body portion, and the second connector is disposed in the rear surface of the body portion;

a first connector terminal disposed in the body portion for receiving electrical power from an external power source;

a second connector terminal disposed in the body portion and electrically connected to the first connector terminal for supplying electrical power to the electrical system of the aircraft, wherein the first connector terminal is opposite and axially aligned with the second connector terminal, the first connector terminal is disposed on the front surface of the body portion, and the second connector is disposed on the rear surface of the body portion; and

a third connector terminal electrically connected to the first connector terminal for supplying electrical power to the auxiliary electrical system, wherein the third connector terminal is disposed in the rear surface of the body portion adjacent to the second connector,

wherein the power adapter further comprises a circuit breaker disposed within the body portion and electrically interposed between the first connector terminal and the third connector terminal.

2. The power adapter of claim 1, wherein the body portion is fabricated from a high-strength material.

3. The power adapter of claim 1, wherein the first connector terminal is a multiple pin male connector terminal and the second connector terminal is a multiple pin female connector terminal.

4. A power adapter for an aircraft having an electrical system and an air conditioning unit disposed thereon, wherein the air conditioning unit is not integrated with the electrical system, the power adapter comprising:

a body portion;

a first connector terminal disposed in the body portion for receiving electrical power from a ground power unit;

a first cable electrically connecting the ground power unit to the first connector terminal;

a second connector terminal disposed in the body portion and electrically connected to the first connector terminal for supplying electrical power to the electrical system of the aircraft;

a second cable electrically connecting the second connector terminal to the electrical system of the aircraft;

a third connector terminal electrically connected and adjacent to the first connector terminal for supplying electrical power to the air conditioning unit;

a third cable electrically connecting the third terminal to the air conditioning unit; and

a circuit breaker disposed within the body portion and electrically interposed between the first connector terminal and the third connector terminal,

wherein the body portion is substantially rectangular, and the first connector terminal is opposite the second connector terminal.

5. The power adapter of claim 4, wherein the body portion is fabricated from a high-strength material.

6. The power adapter of claim 4, wherein the body portion is fabricated from steel.

7. The power adapter of claim 4, wherein the body portion is fabricated from aluminum.

8. The power adapter of claim 4, wherein the first connector terminal and the second connector terminal are axially aligned.

9. The power adapter of claim 4, further comprising:

the body portion having a bottom surface for supporting the body portion, a front surface that extends upward from the bottom surface, and a top surface that is spaced from the bottom surface by the front surface and a rear surface to define the height of the body portion; and

wherein the height of the body portion is the smallest dimension of the body portion, the first connector terminal is disposed on the front surface of the body portion, and the second connector is disposed on the rear surface of the body portion.

10. The power adapter of claim 4, wherein the first connector terminal is a multiple pin male connector terminal and the second connector terminal is a multiple pin female connector terminal.