Rockwell Collins, Inc.

Airshow, Inc.

Chung Lin Ho

Gerald E Lester

S Scott Seeley

John W Hubbs

A position sensor for determining the relative physical location of a movable item via a combination of a sensor and an indicator plate affixed to an actuator device.

On-board entertainment system entertainment display retractor position sensor

A liquid crystal flat panel monitor is mounted in a frame that is positioned in an overhead compartment of an aircraft. A D.C. motor is mounted for pivoting the monitor. A voltage source having positive and negative polarity controls the D.C. monitor causing it to pivot the monitor to a viewing position or to a stowed position. The D.C. motor carries a flywheel on its shaft that stores energy as the motor rotates. During power loss, a controller sends a voltage pulse to the D.C. motor to spin it at high speed and store enough energy in the spring flywheel to pivot the monitor to a stowed position. A deployed position switch senses when the LCD monitor is fully rotated to its open view position. An electromagnetic latch keeps the LCD monitor locked in its stowed position until it is to be displayed for viewing.

Direct drive LCD retractor

A retractor device for the LCD unit of an on-board entertainment unit is disclosed. The retractor device uses capacitors as storage device to provide electrical energy to drive the retractor motor in the reverse direction in the event of power outage. Under normal operating conditions, the deployment and retraction of the LCD is performed by the motor, with its polarity switched by a relay. At the same time, a storage capacitor is charged up. In the event of power outage while the LCD is in a deployed mode, the energy stored by the capacitor is discharged to drive the motor's retraction mechanism. Blocking diodes may be used on the discharge path to ensure that the discharge path goes toward the motor.

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Arcadia, CA, United States of America

Chung Lin Ho