Moveable surface power delivery system

• US 10,326,299 B2
• Filed: 08/29/2016
• Issued: 06/18/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/2015
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Astronics Advanced Electronic Systems Corporation (Astronics Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Astronics Advanced Electronic Systems Corporation (Astronics Corporation)
• Inventors: Jouper, Jeffrey A., Lamb, John S., Markert, Dennis P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Grant, Robert
• Application Number:
  US15/249,575
• Publication Number:
  US 20170077739A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,023 Days
• Field of Search: 320108
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/00152 Seat back fixtures for removable monitors, e.g. tablet computers
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/0624 Arrangements of electrical connectors, e.g. for earphone, internet or electric supply
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/0638 with foldable tables, trays or cup holders
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/44 for aircrafts
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/79 for data transfer in combination with power transfer

Abstract

A method and system for delivering power from an aircraft power system to a tray table is provided. The system may include a moveable assembly in connection with the tray table. Cable may be routed to each tray table through the moveable assembly. The power is processed into a useable form for electronics mounted in the tray table. The tray table may include a wireless charger, and may harvest data from user electronics. The tray table may also push data to the user'"'"'s electronics. The system may include a wireless communications client to take advantage of the wireless inflight entertainment (IFE) system on board many transportation platforms.

Claims

1. A charging assembly, comprising:

a passenger tray table;

a first and a second moveable member interconnected to the passenger tray table;

wherein disposed within the tray table is a removably connected charging card assembly; and

wherein the charging assembly includes a wireless charging device having a first antenna adjacent a first side of the passenger tray table and a second antenna adjacent an opposing second side of the passenger tray table configured to wirelessly charge a personal electronic device (PED) both when the passenger tray is in a stowed position and when the passenger tray is in a deployed position.

2. The charging assembly of claim 1 wherein the charging card assembly includes a microcontroller, an electromagnetic interference (EMI) filter, a DC-DC converter, a wireless communications adapter and a Bluetooth adapter.

3. The charging assembly of claim 1 wherein the charging assembly further includes at least one wired charging port.

4. The charging assembly of claim 1 wherein the first moveable member is a conductor effective to supply power to the charging card from a seat electronics box, and the second moveable member enables the charging card to return to the seat electronics box.

7. The charging assembly of claim 1 wherein the charging card assembly is configured to send data to the PED.

8. The charging assembly of claim 1 wherein the charging card assembly is configured to receive data from the PED.

5. A charging assembly, comprising:

a passenger tray table;

a first and a second moveable member interconnected to the passenger tray table, wherein the first moveable member is a conductor effective to supply power to a charging card assembly from a seat electronics box, and the second moveable member enables the charging card to return power to the seat electronics box;

a voltage monitor is configured to detect a fault condition by monitoring voltage on each of the first moveable member and the second moveable member relative to a common ground;

wherein removably connected to the tray table is the charging card assembly; and

wherein the charging card assembly includes a wireless charging device configured to wirelessly charge a personal electronic device (PED) both when the passenger tray is in a stowed position and when the passenger tray is in a deployed position.

6. A charging assembly, comprising:

a passenger tray table;

a first and a second moveable member interconnected to the passenger tray table, both formed from a conductive material that is covered in an electrically non-conducting material;

wherein the first moveable member is a conductor effective to supply power to a charging card assembly from a seat electronics box, and the second moveable member enables the charging card assembly to return power to the seat electronics box;

wherein removably connected to the tray table is the charging card assembly; and

wherein the charging card assembly includes a wireless charging device configured to wirelessly charge a personal electronic device (PED) both when the passenger tray is in a stowed position and when the passenger tray is in a deployed position.

9. A charging assembly, comprising:

a tray table including an electronic circuit card;

a moveable assembly in connection with the tray table that includes a plurality of tray arms for conducting electricity, a first tray arm configured to carry a charger voltage and a second tray arm configured to act as a return path for current;

a connector assembly disposed within the tray table, the connector assembly including a receptacle for receiving a personal electronic device (PED);

an electronics assembly mounted within the tray table; and

a seat electronics box (SEB) in communication with the electronics assembly via a cable assembly, the SEB configured to convert and supply power to the electronics assembly,

wherein the electronics assembly is configured to charge the PED received in the connector assembly.

10. The charging assembly of claim 9 wherein the apparatus further includes a two voltage source with galvanic isolation measurement, the two voltage source configured to identify and mitigate inadvertent connections.

11. A charging assembly, comprising:

a passenger tray table including a charging card assembly, the charging card assembly including a wireless charging device;

a moveable assembly in connection with the tray table; and

a connector assembly disposed within the tray table, the connector assembly including a receptacle for receiving a personal electronic device (PED);

wherein the wireless charging device has a first antenna adjacent a first side of the passenger tray table and a second antenna adjacent an opposing second side of the passenger tray table is configured to wirelessly charge a PED both when the passenger tray table is in a stowed position and charge the PED when the passenger tray table is in a deployed position, and

wherein the charging card assembly is configured to receive data from, and send data to, the PED.

12. The charging assembly of claim 11 wherein the charging assembly further includes at least one wired charging port.

13. The charging assembly of claim 11 wherein the first moveable member acts as a conductor for supplying power to the charging card assembly from a seat electronics box, and the second moveable member acts as a return from the charging card assembly to the seat electronics box.

14. A charging assembly, comprising:

a tray table including a charging card assembly, the charging card assembly including a wireless charging device;

a first and a second moveable member interconnected to the tray table wherein the first moveable member is a conductor for supplying power to the charging card assembly from a seat electronics box, and the second moveable member is a power return from the charging card assembly;

a voltage monitor configured to detect a fault condition by monitoring voltage on each of the first moveable member and the second moveable member relative to a common ground; and

a connector assembly disposed within the tray table, the connector assembly including a receptacle for receiving a personal electronic device (PED);

wherein the wireless charging device is configured to wirelessly charge the PED when the tray table is in a stowed position and when the tray table is in a deployed position, and

wherein the charging card assembly is configured to receive data from, and send data to, the PED.

15. A charging assembly, comprising:

a tray table including a charging card assembly, the charging card assembly including a wireless charging device;

a first and a second moveable member interconnected to the tray table, the first and the second moveable member formed from a conductive material that is covered in a non-conducting material, wherein the first moveable member is a conductor for supplying power to the charging card assembly from a seat electronics box, and the second moveable member is a power return from the charging card assembly;

a connector assembly disposed within the tray table, the connector assembly including a receptacle for receiving a personal electronic device (PED);

wherein the wireless charging device is configured to wirelessly charge the PED when the tray table is in a stowed position and when the tray table is in a deployed position, and

wherein the charging card assembly is configured to receive data from, and send data to, the PED.