The Boeing Company

Mark Stephen Shander

Mark Eugene Liffring

Todd Burton Brouwer

Robert Dennis Holley

Robert Thomas Johnson

Thomas R Hasenoehrl

Lowell W Schaffner

Carolyn Kerr

Ty Aaby Larsen

Terrance L Thomas

John T Paterson

Thomas F Currier

Steven Mark Walstrom

Jon J Dhondt

Eugene V Solodovnik

Christopher Mark Severns

Richard A Cote

Christopher Wheaton

N Evan Lurton

John T Peters

Margaret Douglas

Kamiar J Karimi

Timothy Edward Jackson

Michael L Drake

Casey Y K Ng

Arnold W Nordsieck

Michael B McAvoy

Alberto Ferrer

Howard Carter, Iii

David F King

Marvin J Whitney

Michael S Hoag

Ronald C Yabut

Seth C Tai

Robert L Springgay

Ed Woods

Margaret L Douglas

Robert D Holley

Apparatus and system for containing a rupture of a duct. The apparatus includes an air-permeable sheet, such as a wide-weave fiberglass sheet. The air-permeable sheet includes a strap arranged on a first side of the sheet such that it forms diamond-shaped patterns along a longitudinal axis. The strap can be made of a tight-weave fiberglass. Laterally-spaced corners of the diamond-shaped patterns include connection members that can be engaged to affix the strap and the air-permeable sheet around a duct. Various aspects include an air-impermeable air barrier surrounding the wide-weave fiberglass sheet and strap. The air barrier can include a window that directs air from a ruptured duct. Various aspects can be used on a bleed-air duct of an aircraft. The window of the air barrier can be aimed at a temperature sensor. A valve can close the bleed-air duct if the temperature sensor detects a high temperature leak.

Rupture constraint mechanism

A solid state primary power switching network for modular equipment centers (MECs) distributing primary power throughout a vehicle. The solid state primary power switching network includes multiple primary power switch network devices (PPSNDs) of a MEC for controlling and distributing primary power to other MECs spatially distribute throughout a vehicle. In one or more configurations, the PPSNDs have a universal structure in that each includes a common power input source and a plurality of common power outputs. In one or more configurations, primary power sources to the vehicle are switched without a perceivably visible break in power.

Modular equipment center solid state primary power switching network

A system and method for performing build verification of equipment systems after being installed in a partially constructed vehicle portion. After installing one or more of prerequisite equipment systems during a current build stage of a vehicle build plan, the installed equipment systems are tested during the current build stage to determine whether the installed equipment systems are electrically connected correctly.

System and method for vehicle build verification

A modular truss assembly configured to be placed in small or narrow spaces such as within the floor, sidewall, or crown of a vehicle 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, all or part of the modular truss assembly can be removed from the vehicle for repair or replacement.

Modular equipment center distributed equipment packaging truss

A composite vehicle architecture without a current return network for reducing lightning threats. A plurality of modular equipment centers (MECs) are spatially distributed throughout the vehicle. Equipment loads within the vehicle are each serviced by the nearest MEC. Twisted and shielded electrical conductor pairs provide secondary power to the equipment loads to minimize the amount of wire throughout the aircraft as well as the return currents on the aircraft.

Modular equipment center lightning threat reduction architecture

A plurality of modular equipment centers (MECs) spatially distributed throughout a vehicle servicing equipment loads. Each MEC independently provides localized power and communication to service the equipment loads. A zone of electrical loads is assigned to and serviced by the nearest MEC. Power and communication data are synchronized in that each equipment load receives power and data from the same MEC. In one embodiment, if a MEC experiences an operational inconsistency, one or more other MECs are assigned the equipment loads of the operationally inconsistent MEC.

Modular equipment center zonal standalone power system control architecture

A plurality of modular equipment centers (MECs) spatially distributed throughout a vehicle servicing equipment loads. Each MEC independently provides localized power and communication to service the equipment loads and each equipment load is serviced by the nearest MEC. In at least one embodiment, only primary power is distributed across section breaks of the vehicle to minimize the number of connections between section breaks, reduce overall vehicle weight, and to increase vehicle build rate.

Modular equipment center distributed primary power architecture

An interconnect for transferring signals herein includes one or more signal contacts to transfer the power or data to or from an integrated truss system. An interconnect may be configured to transfer power or data between layers of the integrated truss system or within the same layer of the integrated truss system. An interconnect may be configured with one or more compression mechanisms that secure the interconnect in the integrated truss system.

Truss interconnect

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.

Modular equipment center integrated truss sensors

A method for interconnecting electronic equipment within an aircraft includes installing a multi-dimensional backplane within the aircraft across a plurality of frame bays associated with the aircraft, the backplane including a plurality of connectors mounted thereon, contacts associated with the connectors interconnected by electrical conductors formed within the backplane, attaching shipside wiring to a first portion of the connectors on the backplane, and attaching electrical connectors of the electronic equipment to corresponding connectors on the backplane.

Methods and systems for incorporating translating backplanes to facilitate wire separation

An electrical architecture for an aircraft is provided. The electrical architecture is particularly suitable for relatively small, compact, and lightweight aircraft. In one embodiment, the electrical architecture includes an electrical generator component coupled to the aircraft engine, and an air compression system coupled to the electrical generator component. The electrical generator component is configured to receive mechanical power from the engine and to generate a constant frequency AC electrical power from the engine mechanical power, and the air compression system is configured to receive the constant frequency AC power as an input and, in response thereto, produce a pressurized air output having variable characteristics (for example, a variable flow rate or a variable air pressure).

Electrical systems architecture for an aircraft, and related operating methods

An apparatus and method for simulating arcing events for use in testing arc fault circuit interrupters. The apparatus and method utilizes a plurality of motion sensitive switches, for example, mercury switches or ball-tilt switches, secured within the housing. When the apparatus is moved the switches interrupt a current flow mimicking arcing events.

Apparatus and method for simulating arcing

Methods and systems for selecting and connecting an electronics package to a power source from one or more of a plurality of possible power source paths. An embodiment of the invention uses inexpensive analog components to select a power path by testing the possible power source paths for a desired potential. The invention interrupts the alternate power path while maintaining the connection of the electronics package to the power source through the selected power path. An optional removal circuit removes the testing and selection circuitry once the alternate power path is interrupted. In actual embodiment of the invention, the methods and systems described are included in a reversible circuit breaker.

Automatic voltage source selector for circuit breakers utilizing electronics

Growing community of inventors

Mill Creek, WA, United States of America

Mark Stephen Shander