Modular equipment center integrated truss sensors
First Claim
1. A system for powering a line replaceable unit (LRU) without exposed electrical connectors, the system comprising:
- a truss assembly comprising a plurality of transfer layers;
a primary coil of an inductive power coupling system within one or more of the transfer layers of the truss assembly; and
a secondary coil of the inductive power coupling system within the LRU, wherein the primary coil induces a current in the secondary coil when the secondary coil within the LRU is in proximity of the primary coil within the truss assembly.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A modular truss assembly for mechanically and electrically mounting system components of a modular equipment center (MEC). A plurality of MECs is spatially distributed throughout the vehicle to service equipment loads. The modular truss assembly provides different voltage levels for powering the system components of the MEC and for powering the equipment loads. In one or more configurations, a MEC incorporate inductive power coupling for powering a line replaceable unit (LRU) in proximity to the modular truss assembly without exposed electrical connections and such that the MEC may forgo power conversion equipment. In one or more configurations, a sensor is embedded in one or more transfer layers of the truss for measuring a power trace embedded in the modular truss assembly.
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Citations
37 Claims
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1. A system for powering a line replaceable unit (LRU) without exposed electrical connectors, the system comprising:
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a truss assembly comprising a plurality of transfer layers; a primary coil of an inductive power coupling system within one or more of the transfer layers of the truss assembly; and a secondary coil of the inductive power coupling system within the LRU, wherein the primary coil induces a current in the secondary coil when the secondary coil within the LRU is in proximity of the primary coil within the truss assembly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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- 10. A modular equipment center (MEC) for a vehicle comprising a truss assembly for mounting the MEC with the vehicle and a primary coil of an inductive power coupling system embedded in one or more power transfer layers of the truss assembly, the primary coil configured to receive primary electrical power and to induce a current in a secondary coil of the inductive power coupling system within a Line Replaceable Unit (LRU) when the LRU is positioned in proximity of the primary coil and mounted to the truss assembly of the MEC.
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12. A method for inductively powering a line replaceable unit (LRU) comprising:
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powering a truss assembly comprising one or more transfer layers with primary power; generating magnetic flux lines by passing current through a primary coil embedded in one or more transfer layers of the truss assembly; and inducing a current in a secondary coil of the LRU to power the LRU when the secondary coil is in proximity to the primary coil such that the flux lines intersect the secondary coil. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A multilayered truss assembly of a modular equipment center (MEC) within a vehicle, comprising;
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a plurality of transfer layers; a trace routed through at least one of the plurality of transfer layers permitting electrical power through the truss assembly; and a sensor embedded within one or more of the plurality of transfer layers, wherein the sensor comprises a coil wrapped around the trace and wherein vias connect upper portions of the coil in one transfer layer with lower portions of the coil in another transfer layer such that the coil is wound continuously around a portion of the trace. - View Dependent Claims (18, 23, 24, 25, 32, 33, 34)
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19. A multilayered truss assembly of a modular equipment center (MEC) within a vehicle, comprising:
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a plurality of transfer layers; a trace routed through at least one of the plurality of transfer layers permitting electrical power through the truss assembly; and a sensor embedded within one or more of the plurality of transfer layers, wherein the sensor comprises a multi-layer Rogowski coil and wherein a portion of the Rogowski coil is within power transfer layers above and parallel to the trace and another portion of the Rogowski coil is within other power transfer layers below and parallel to the trace. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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22. A multilayered truss assembly of a modular equipment center (MEC) within a vehicle, comprising:
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a plurality of transfer layers; a trace routed through at least one of the plurality of transfer layers permitting electrical power through the truss assembly; and a sensor embedded within one or more of the plurality of transfer layers, wherein the sensor comprises a coil positioned between a distal end of a power trace in one transfer layer and a distal end of another power trace in another transfer layer, wherein the coil and distal ends of the power traces are aligned.
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26. A multilayered truss assembly of a modular equipment center (MEC) within a vehicle, comprising:
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a plurality of transfer layers; a trace routed through at least one of the plurality of transfer layers permitting electrical power through the truss assembly; and a sensor embedded within one or more of the plurality of transfer layers, wherein the sensor is a Rogowski coil integrated into one or more layers of the multilayer truss assembly and encircling one or more power input and output conductors of the MEC. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28)
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29. A multilayered truss assembly of a modular equipment center (MEC) within a vehicle, comprising:
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a plurality of transfer layers; a trace routed through at least one of the plurality of transfer layers permitting electrical power through the truss assembly; and a sensor embedded within one or more of the plurality of transfer layers, wherein the sensor is a coil integrated into one or more layers of the multilayer truss assembly and encircling one or more communication data lines.
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30. A multilayered truss assembly of a modular equipment center (MEC) within a vehicle, comprising:
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a plurality of transfer layers; a trace routed through at least one of the plurality of transfer layers permitting electrical power through the truss assembly; and a sensor embedded within one or more of the plurality of transfer layers, wherein a matrix of sensors embedded within the multilayered truss assembly is utilized to manage a solid state switch array. - View Dependent Claims (31)
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35. A method for detecting fault current within an electrical power distribution assembly comprising:
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encircling a plurality of power input sources and a plurality of output sources with a Rogowski coil; measuring current with the Rogowski coil; transmitting a measured current to a CNI module; comparing the measured current against a defined threshold and time criteria; disconnecting at least one power input source if the measure current exceeds the defined threshold; and reporting the disconnection of the at least one power input source to other equipment.
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36. A method for detecting fault current within an electrical power distribution assembly comprising:
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encircling a plurality of power input sources and a plurality of power output sources with a plurality of Rogowski coils; measuring current with the Rogowski coils; transmitting a measured current from a CNI module to one or more other CNI modules; comparing a measured current with a defined threshold and time criteria; determining which power input source to disconnect to stop current that exceed the defined threshold and time criteria; disconnecting via at least one CNI module one or more power input sources; and reporting disconnection of the one or more power input sources. - View Dependent Claims (37)
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Specification