Simplified cabin services system for an aircraft

• US 8,166,506 B2
• Filed: 12/16/2005
• Issued: 04/24/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Callahan, Kevin S., Laib, Trevor M., Mitchell, Bradley J., Sanford, William C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hirl, Joseph P
• Assistant Examiner(s): RABOVIANSKI, JIVKA A
• Application Number:
  US11/303,654
• Publication Number:
  US 20070061847A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,321 Days
• Field of Search: 725/76, 725/73, 725/71, 725/72
• US Class Current: 725/76
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/0015 Arrangements for entertainment or communications, e.g. radio, television
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/00155 Individual entertainment or communication system remote controls therefor, located in or connected to seat components, e.g. to seat back or arm rest
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/40 Weight reduction

Abstract

A cabin services system for an aircraft is disclosed. The cabin services system comprises at least one wireless network, the at least one wireless network providing at least one cabin service. The cabin services system further includes a cabin attendant panel for communicating with the at least one wireless networks and configured to control the at least one cabin service.

Claims

1. A cabin services system for placement and use on an aircraft, the cabin services system comprising:

at least one wireless network, the at least one wireless network providing one or more cabin service functions, wherein the at least one wireless network comprises;

a plurality of passenger service units, each passenger service unit providing the one or more cabin service functions to one or more passengers of the aircraft;

a plurality of passenger control units for communicating wirelessly with the passenger service units, each passenger control unit allowing control of at least one of the cabin service functions of one of the passenger service units via the wireless communication with the passenger service units;

a cabin attendant panel in wireless communication with the plurality of passenger service units of the at least one wireless network and configured to control the one or more cabin service functions of all the passenger service units;

at least one mounting rail to provide both structural support and electrical power to the plurality of passenger service units;

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

2. The cabin services system of claim 1 wherein multiple ones of the passenger service units receive the wireless communication from any one of the passenger control units, and wherein each passenger control unit has an identification that is sent in the wireless communication and is recognized by one of the passenger service units such that the one of the passenger service units acts on the wireless communication from that passenger control unit.

3. The cabin services system of claim 1 wherein the each of the passenger service units comprises:

a wireless receiver for communicating with the passenger control unit; and

a controller system for communicating with the wireless receiver and for controlling the one or more cabin service functions.

4. The cabin services system of claim 3 wherein the one or more cabin service functions comprise any of a reading light, an attendant call light, an attendant call cancellation, and a personal air outlet.

5. The cabin services system of claim 1 wherein the cabin attendant panel transmits a prognostic command wirelessly to the passenger service units and the passenger service units respond to the prognostic command by indicating condition of the cabin service functions of the passenger service units.

6. The cabin services system of claim 1 wherein each of the passenger service units includes:

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

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

7. The cabin services system of claim 6 wherein the first electrical circuit and the second electrical circuit operate alternately based upon the polarity of the power of the mounting rail.

8. The cabin services system of claim 6 wherein the first electrical circuit and the second electrical circuit operate concurrently.

9. A passenger service unit for providing cabin services in an aircraft in cooperation with a passenger control unit, the passenger control unit including a plurality of switches and a wireless transmitter, the passenger service unit comprising:

a plurality of cabin services elements, each configured to provide a cabin service and at least one of which corresponds to one of the switches of the passenger control unit;

a wireless receiver configured to receive wireless control signals from the passenger control unit based on control of the passenger control unit by a passenger;

a controller in communication with the cabin services elements and the wireless receiver and configured to actuate the at least one of the cabin service elements upon receipt of a control signal from the corresponding switch,

wherein the passenger service unit is in wireless communication with a cabin attendant panel that is in wireless communication with and configured to control the at least one cabin service by a non-passenger attendant; and

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

wherein the passenger service unit is coupled to an 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 at least one mounting rail and provides electrical isolation from the at least one passenger service unit.

10. The passenger service unit of claim 9 wherein the plurality of cabin services comprises any combination of reading light, attendant call light, attendant call cancellation, and personal air outlet.

11. The passenger service unit of claim 9 wherein the cabin attendant panel transmits a prognostic command wirelessly to the passenger service units and the passenger service unit responds to the command by indicating an operating condition of the cabin service elements of the passenger service unit.

12. The passenger service unit of claim 9 wherein the passenger service unit includes:

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

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

13. The passenger service unit of claim 12 wherein the first electrical circuit and the second electrical circuit operate alternately based upon the polarity of the power of the mounting rail.

14. The passenger service unit of claim 12 wherein the first electrical circuit and the second electrical circuit operate concurrently.

15. The passenger service unit of claim 9, wherein the passenger service unit is further operable to provide prognostic data to a system within the aircraft using one or more of the following mechanisms:

sending the prognostic data over a power rail, transmitting the prognostic data wirelessly, or sending the prognostic data over wires.

16. The passenger service unit of claim 15, wherein the prognostic data comprises one or more of a signal strength of a transmitter that transmits to the passenger service unit, performance of a fan associated with a personal air outlet, or performance of a reading light.

17. The passenger service unit of claim 9, wherein the passenger service unit is further operable to provide prognostic data regarding one or more cabin service elements of the passenger service unit, the prognostic data transmitted on the mounting rail.

18. A cabin services system for placement and use on for an aircraft comprising:

a plurality of passenger service units, each providing the same cabin service functions and communicating wirelessly with a cabin zone unit, wherein the plurality of passenger service units are coupled to electrical spring contacts that detachably clip to the at least one mounting rail, the electrical spring contacts providing both structural support to the at least one passenger service unit and a spring coupling to the at least one mounting rail, wherein the electrical spring contacts are coupled to the plurality of passenger service units by a non-conductive insulating support that clips onto the mounting rail and provides electrical isolation from the plurality of passenger service units;

a plurality of passenger control units for communicating wirelessly with the passenger service units to control the cabin service functions, wherein the cabin zone unit is in wireless communication with the passenger service units, wherein the cabin zone unit communicates signals to the passenger service units to control the cabin service functions.

19. The cabin services system of claim 18 wherein each of the passenger service units comprises:

a wireless receiver for communicating with an associated passenger control unit; and

a controller system for communicating with the receiver and for controlling a plurality of functions.

20. The cabin services system of claim 19 wherein the plurality of functions comprises any combination of reading light, attendant call light, attendant call cancellation, and personal air outlet.

21. The cabin services system of claim 19 further comprising a cabin attendant panel in communication with the cabin zone and unit and the passenger service units, wherein the cabin attendant panel transmits a prognostic command wirelessly to the passenger service units and the passenger service units respond to the prognostic command by indicating an operating condition of the cabin service functions of the passenger service units.

22. The cabin services system of claim 19 wherein the passenger service units visually indicate the operating condition of the cabin service functions.

23. The cabin services system of claim 22 wherein each of the passenger service units includes:

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

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

24. The cabin services system of claim 23 wherein the first electrical circuit and the second electrical circuit operate alternately based upon the polarity of the power of the mounting rail.

25. The cabin services system of claim 23 wherein the first electrical circuit and the second electrical circuit operate concurrently.

26. The cabin services system of claim 19 wherein the cabin service functions include air flow, and wherein a personal fan is provided in each of the passenger service units that draws air directly from the passenger cabin of the aircraft, such that no wires and no ducts are connected to the personal service units.

27. The cabin services system of claim 19 wherein an air supply for a plurality of personal air outlets is drawn from an air distribution system.

28. The cabin services system of claim 19 wherein an air supply for a plurality of personal air outlets is drawn from an inlet of the personal air outlets being located in close proximity to an air distribution nozzle outlet associated with an air distribution system.

29. 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 wherein the passenger service unit is coupled to an electrical spring contact that detachably clips to 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 at least one mounting rail and provides electrical isolation from the at least one passenger service unit; and

a passenger control unit for communicating wirelessly with an associated passenger service unit, each passenger control unit allowing control of at least one of the cabin service functions of the associated passenger service unit via the wireless communication with the passenger service units; and

a cabin attendant panel in wireless communication with the passenger service units of the plurality of wireless networks and configured to control at least one of the cabin service elements of all the passenger service units, wherein the cabin attendant panel transmits a prognostic command wirelessly to the passenger service units and the passenger service units respond to the prognostic command by indicating an operating condition of the cabin service functions of the passenger service units.

30. A system comprising:

a plurality of passenger service units within an aircraft cabin for providing cabin services to passengers in an aircraft; and

a mounting rail having an electrically conductive portion, the mounting rail being coupled to the plurality of passenger service units, the mounting rail further configured to perform the following;

provide electrical power and structural support to the passenger service units via the electrically conductive portion; and

provide wired communication to and from the passenger service units

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

31. The system of claim 30, wherein the mounting rail is utilized to physically mount a passenger service unit.

32. The system of claim 30, wherein wired electrical power can be physically provided onto the mounting rail to the personal service units with no separate wiring connection to the personal service units.

33. The system of claim 30 wherein the mounting rail performs a function of data communication to the personal service units to allow data wiring connections to the personal service units to be eliminated.

34. The system of claim 30, further comprising at least one passenger control unit including a plurality of switches and a transmitter, the passenger service unit comprising:

a plurality of cabin services elements each configured to provide a cabin service and at least one of which corresponds to one of the switches of the passenger control unit;

a receiver configured to receive control signals from the passenger control unit; and

a controller system in communication with the cabin services elements and the receiver and configured to actuate the at least one of the service elements upon receipt of a control signal from the corresponding switch.

35. The system of claim 34, wherein the plurality of cabin services comprises any combination of reading light, attendant call light, attendant call cancellation, and personal air outlet.

36. The system of claim 35, wherein the controller system comprises:

a controller; and

a memory coupled to the controller.