Plug-n-play power system for an accessory in an aircraft

• US 8,128,027 B2
• Filed: 12/16/2005
• Issued: 03/06/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Lee, Donald B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dinh, Tien
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bonzell, Philip J
• Application Number:
  US11/303,173
• Publication Number:
  US 20070057576A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,272 Days
• Field of Search: 244/118.5, 244/129.1, 174/97, 174/48, 362/404, 439/94, 439/110, 439/121, 439/527
• US Class Current: 244/118.5
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 1/08 Three-wire systems; Systems having more than three wires
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00028 involving the use of Internet protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/002 in which a reserve is maintained in an energy source by disconnecting non-critical loads, e.g. maintaining a reserve of charge in a vehicle battery for starting an engine
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49002 Electrical device making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49947 by applying separate fastener

Abstract

A power system for an aircraft. The power system comprises a power module unit and at least one mounting rail detachably coupled to the power module unit. The mounting rail provides structural support and electrical power to the power module unit. A power system in one embodiment may use mounting rails that double as power rails supplying power to the power module unit. Control is accomplished over a wireless link. The power rail control may be accomplished remotely via a standard or solid state relay. Normal rail power for the rail mounted power module may come from the utility bus.

Claims

1. A passenger services system for a vehicle, comprising:

a passenger service unit to communicate wirelessly with a cabin attendant panel and provide a plurality of cabin services;

a passenger control unit to communicate wirelessly with the passenger service unit and each including a plurality of switches corresponding to the plurality of cabin services;

an electrical spring contact;

at least one power system to provide power to the passenger services system, the at least one power system comprising a power module unit; and

at least one mounting rail to provide both structural support and electrical power to the power module unit and to the passenger service unit,

wherein the passenger service unit is coupled to the electrical spring contact that detachably clips to the at least one mounting rail, the electrical spring contact providing both structural support to the passenger service unit and a spring coupling to the at least one mounting rail, wherein the electrical spring contact is coupled to the passenger service unit by a non-conductive insulating support that clips onto the mounting rail and provides electrical isolation from the passenger service unit.

2. The passenger services system of claim 1 wherein the at least one power system 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 the at least one power system while electrically connected to the mounting rail, the at least one power system providing power for operation of non-essential functions.

3. The passenger services 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.

4. The passenger services system of claim 3 wherein the first electrical circuit and the second electrical circuit operate concurrently.

5. The passenger services system of claim 3 wherein the SOEU utilizes a discrete signal to trigger a reversal of the polarity of the power of the mountina rail.

6. The passenger services system of claim 5 wherein the SOEU provides power to an oxygen passenger service unit module.