The Boeing Company

Bret L Lamoree

Bradley James Mitchell

Mark Edward Wentland

Heidi Joy Kneller

Dennis C Lin

James P Schalla

Brock J Prince

Phillip J Bobzien

James Louis Tylee

Phillip J Ayoub

Kevin Scott Callahan

Trevor Milton Laib

Donald B Lee

Richard K Simms

William C Sanford

Henry VanRensselaer Fletcher, Iii

Henry V R Fletcher, Iii

Kwu-Wing W Cheung

Robert M Dowdell

Henvry V Fletcher

James P Sohalla

Electrically dimmable windows for aircraft are powered by energy harvesting devices on-board the aircraft. The harvested energy is stored and used to control the opacity of the windows based on individual window opacity settings selected either by passengers or a cabin attendant. Each window has an associated control circuit that controls the electrical power applied to the window based on the selected opacity setting. The control circuit includes a low energy usage processor that remains in a sleep mode until a change in the opacity setting is detected. Each control circuit may include a radio transceiver that receives control signals from a transmitter operated by the cabin attendant in order to simultaneously remotely control the opacity settings of multiple windows.

Control system for dimmable windows

A method and apparatus for a hierarchical access system for a compartment. The hierarchical access system comprises a moveable barrier, a locking mechanism, and a control unit. The moveable barrier is capable of preventing access to at least one of a first space and a second space in the compartment in the lavatory when the moveable barrier is in a closed position. The locking mechanism is capable of securing the moveable barrier in the closed position. The control unit is capable of unlocking the locking mechanism in a manner that provides different levels of access to the first space and the second space in the compartment in response to receiving an access request.

Knowledge based access and access hierarchy in an aircraft

An emergency equipment system comprising an elongate member, an emergency equipment package, and a cutter. The elongate member may have a first end and an angled end. The emergency equipment package may have a sleeve on one side capable of receiving the elongate member from the angled end. The cutter may be attached to a side of the elongate member and may be capable of cutting the sleeve.

Securing emergency and safety equipment on aircraft

An interactive switch system for a stowage compartment system for a mobile platform (for example, commercial aircraft) is provided. The switch system is mounted to a moveable structure, such as an overhead stowage bin, and is responsive to a local input from a user, as well as to a remote input from an external control/monitoring panel. The switch system has at least one indicator surface responsive to the local input and the remote input to display indicator data. The indicator surface has a portion that forms at least one user input device for enabling the local input. The switch system further comprises a control system disposed behind the indicator surface. The control system is responsive to the local input and the remote input to transmit the indicator data to the indicator surface.

System and method for an electronic interactive switch

A system for monitoring activities relating to movable and removable items within a vehicle is described. The system includes an electrical energy storage device, an energy harvesting device operable to store harvested energy in the electrical energy storage device, a sensor element configured to output signals corresponding to one or more of removal, installation, and a shift in position of a corresponding item within the vehicle, and a transmitter configured to receive the signals from the sensor element. The transmitter is also configured to transmit unique identification information and data corresponding to the signals received from the sensor element, where the unique identification information corresponds with a location of the item on the vehicle. The sensor element and the transmitter are configured to use energy from one or both of the energy harvesting device and the electrical energy storage device.

Methods and systems for sensing activity using energy harvesting devices

An aircraft seating system comprises a seat frame having a top side, a seat cushion having a bottom side, a plurality of conductive first sides of a hook-and-loop fastener system attached to the bottom side of the seat cushion in a first pattern, a plurality of conductive second sides of the hook-and-loop fastener system attached to the top side of the seat frame in a second pattern, and a sensor connector connected to the second pattern. The plurality of conductive first sides and the plurality of conductive second sides engage each other and create a closed circuit for the sensor connector when the bottom side of the seat cushion is placed on the top side of the seat frame.

Seat cushion retention and monitoring in an aircraft

A method and apparatus for managing security of areas in an aircraft. The method is provided for managing aircraft security. A set of sensors associated with a set of secured areas is monitored for an indication of a compromised space within a cabin of the aircraft. In response to receiving a signal from a sensor in the set of sensors identifying a breach, an area for the breach in the cabin is identified to form an identified area. A visual indication device associated with the identified area is identified to form an identified visual indication device. A presentation of an alert on the identified visual indication device is initiated.

Indicating system for security of spaces in an aircraft

A system and method for a computer program product is provided. The computer program product generates a graphical user interface for controlling a compartment. The graphical user interface comprises at least one compartment graphical indicator, and at least one compartment function button. In another embodiment, a method of managing at least one compartment through an interface supported by a controller is provided. The method includes selecting at least one compartment from the interface, and selecting a function for the compartment from the interface.

System and method for compartment control

A system and method for controlling at least one movable stowage compartment is provided. The method includes sensing an input indicative of a desired movement of the stowage compartment and determining a position of the compartment. The method also includes initiating a control signal and moving the compartment into either a closed position or an opened position using the control signal. In another embodiment, a method for controlling at least one movable stowage compartment on a mobile platform is provided. The method includes determining a status of the compartment, and transmitting a signal indicating the status of the compartment to at least one indicator display for displaying the status to an individual.

A stowage compartment system for use in an interior area. A support structure is supported from a structural subassembly. At least one compartment is rotatably supported from the support structure. An electrically powered actuator is used to rotate the compartment between open and closed positions. A sensor senses an amperage being drawn by the actuator while the actuator is rotating the compartment. A controller is responsive to the sensor and controls the actuator to interrupt rotational movement of the compartment upon detecting an obstruction.

System and method for a power-assisted compartment

A system and method for controlling an overhead stowage bin compartment in a mobile platform, such as a commercial aircraft. A motor is operatively coupled to the compartment for moving the compartment between open and closed positions. A remotely located control system is in communication with the motor and supplies a current signal to the motor to drive the motor. The control system monitors operation of the motor and senses when the compartment is obstructed by sensing the current being supplied to the motor. The control system also senses a position of the compartment and, along with the computed required current, uses this information to determine if the weight of the compartment exceeds a predetermined maximum threshold.

In one embodiment a pivot system is disclosed that has a pivot boss including an engagement extension. A race assembly including a socket for receipt of the engagement extension may be used to couple the pivot boss to the race assembly. At least one conductor may be coupled to at least one of the pivot boss and the race assembly to enable electrical communication between the pivot boss and the race assembly.

Growing community of inventors

Snohomish, WA, United States of America

Bret L Lamoree