The Boeing Company

Robert W Metzger

Dwight R Schaeffer

Toan D Le

Richard A Bohlander

Darrell W Gaston, Jr

Paul W Bandy

Dai H Pham

Charles R Fraser

Rex McCleary

Marshall T Okamoto

Barrie W Hughlock

Richard M Schatz

An integrated communication system in an aircraft is provided. The system includes a plurality of solid state flight deck modules in an integrated flight deck panel, wherein the solid state flight deck modules include a microcontroller for interfacing with at least one data bus controller via a local bus; and a light emitting diode (LED) module for controlling backlit illumination of the integrated flight deck panel. The controller sends information to plural solid state flight deck modules via local buses and uses a system bus to communicate with aircraft subsystems. The controller also uses a central power supply module to supply regulated power to the plural solid state flight deck modules. Furthermore, at least one solid state flight deck module includes an integrated panel brightness control module, master brightness control module and/or a master dim and test control module.

System and apparatus for flight deck module integration

A Light Emitting Diode (LED) indicator that more efficiently dissipates heat generated by LEDs and other circuit components is provided. The LED indicator includes a housing and a printed circuit board contained within the housing. The printed circuit board includes first and second sides with two or more LEDs attached to the first and second sides of the printed circuit board and a regulating circuit for regulating current supplied to the LEDs. The regulating circuit includes a linear voltage regulator. The printed circuit board includes first and second thermal dissipation sections. The first thermal dissipation section is thermally connected with the two or more LEDs and the second thermal dissipation section is thermally connected with the linear voltage regulator. The housing is at least partially lined with a plurality of reflectors for reflecting light generated by the LEDs through a lens.

Light emitting diode indicator

A conventional light plate for a systems control panel is mounted on a machined front plate which, in turn, is maintained a predetermined uniform distance from a front printed wiring assembly (PWA). A plurality of systems control devices including one or more of switches (toggle switches, rotary switches, push button switches), rheostats and annunciators are mounted on the front plate and front PWA. Each of the systems control devices has one or more solid state elements mounted on the PWA. For example, the switches carry small magnets which, by manipulation of operating switch levers or knobs, move into and out of close proximity to magnet sensitive switching devices mounted on the front PWA.

Solid state flight deck modules and components thereof

Growing community of inventors

Marysville, WA, United States of America

Robert W Metzger