Garmin International, Inc.

Garmin Corporation

Walter J Rolston

Brian F Ruff

Sheldon T Wheaton

Jeffrey L Beseth

Jared S Klein

Joseph E Gepner

David T Mindrup

Frank A McLoughlin

Steven B Willhoite

Kevin C Parmenter

Greg A January

Cory N Douthat

Craig B Parker

Ryan C Stark

A multi-product avionics control and display unit (CDU). In implementations, the CDU may include a display and a processor coupled with the display. The processor is configurable to operate in a first mode to cause the display to present standby primary flight information associated with the aircraft and a second mode to control and display operation of one or more aircraft systems associated with the aircraft.

Avionics control and display unit

An improved device and method for mounting an avionic system is shown. The design provides varying locations of key components, which allows a single mounting system to be used with several varieties and configurations of aircraft within the crowded confines of an instrument panel. Ranges of flexibility with this system include the ability to arrange modules horizontally, and the ability to locate the display unit vertically. The multi-dimensional mounting flexibility of the mounting system shown allows electronic modules to be mounted in close proximity to a display unit, which greatly increases accessibility of the modules over prior configurations where modules were housed in the nose of the aircraft, the rear of the aircraft, or other remote locations. Installation, repair, and replacement are all greatly simplified with this configuration.

System and method for mounting units for an avionic display

Method for mounting units for an avionic display

An improved device and method for a transmission line connector is shown. The transmission line connector includes a memory device. In one embodiment, the memory device allows the storage of parameters for use with an electronic module. In one embodiment, the location of the memory device allows a user to replace a broken module with a second module and upload any parameters stored in the memory device without having to manually re-enter the parameters from the new module.

Apparatus and method for a connector having a data module

In one embodiment, an apparatus is provided which includes a connector backshell, a conductor clamp, and a thermocouple attachment point. In another embodiment, an apparatus is provided which includes a connector backshell, a cover, a connector, a conductor clamp, and a thermocouple attachment point. A method of assembling a connector housing includes laying a plurality of unshielded conductor portions against a backshell support and clamping the plurality of unshielded conductor portions against the support. The method can also include attaching a thermocouple to a thermocouple attachment point on the backshell.

Conductor termination apparatus and method

A device and method for mounting and wiring avionic equipment such as modules and display units in an aircraft is provided. The novel configuration utilizes a flexible guide that routes communication lines from a device such as a display unit to other devices such as avionic modules. Because the flexible guide is only allowed motion in substantially a two dimensional plane, the communication lines routed by the flexible guide are held securely in place before, during, and after any access procedure. Damage or failure of communication lines is prevented by the structural support of the flexible guide, while at the same time, the display unit may be easily removed to allow access to devices such as modules located behind.

Retractable panel interface cable device and method

An improved device and method for grounding shields of transmission lines is shown. A grounding apparatus, a connector device, and methods associated with them are shown having improved efficiency and reliability among other advantages. Devices and methods shown eliminate a dressing and attaching step of grounding numerous grounding lines to a grounding element such as a connector housing. Devices and methods shown further improve quality and reliability of grounding operations using shielded transmission lines and transmission line connectors.

Grounding apparatus for an electronic module

A course deviation indicator with a unique display utilizes at least one deviation bar, to indicate when a craft or vessel in which the course deviation indicator is utilized has deviated from a pre-established course. In one embodiment, the course deviation indicator has a lateral deviation bar, for indicating lateral deviation from a pre-established course, and a vertical deviation bar, for indicating vertical deviation from a pre-established course. A first, vertical, flag is associated with the vertical deviation bar, while a second, lateral flag is associated with the lateral deviation bar. When a determination is made that a particular deviation bar is providing inaccurate information, the appropriate flag is displayed, thereby indicating that the associated deviation bar is indeed providing inaccurate information. In one embodiment, the flags are displayed mechanically. In a second embodiment, the display is an LCD display, and flags are displayed by drawing the flags on the LCD display. Particularly, each flag is presented in the form of a bi-directional arrow. The vertical flag is oriented vertically on the display at a location proximate the outer end of the vertical deviation bar when the vertical deviation bar is in a centered position, and the lateral flag is presented laterally with respect to the display, and located proximate an outer end of the lateral deviation bar when the lateral deviation bar is in the centered position. The utilization of arrows as the flags, with no other identifying information, makes it particularly easy for a pilot or navigator of the craft or vessel in which the present invention is utilized to ascertain the nature of a deviation from a pre-established course.

Course deviation indicator with unique display

An electronic equipment module, as well as a system and a method for mounting electronic equipment modules are disclosed, an electronic equipment module is provided as a symmetrical casting. The electronic equipment module includes a first chassis unit which attaches to a second chassis unit. Each chassis unit has a mounting recess adapted to receive one or more circuit assemblies. The mounting recesses can be separated by a cover applied to one unit, the other unit, or both. The module is normally mounted within a unit rack, and thus, can have a removably attachable, and re-orientable keyed surface on its rear face which mates with a corresponding keyed surface on the interior surface of the unit rack. The mounting system includes a mounting frame, a plurality of electronic equipment modules, and a unit rack coupled to at least one of the electronic equipment modules and the mounting frame. The method of mounting an electronic equipment module includes inserting the module into an open end of a unit rack, electrically coupling connectors attached to the module and the interior surface of the unit rack, securing the module to the rack, and attaching the rack to the mounting frame. The module can be secured to the rack by rotating a cam lever rotatably attached to the module into an engaged position.

Electronic equipment module apparatus and method

A method and apparatus for refreshing a passive liquid crystal display. A device implements a liquid crystal display, having a liquid crystal module, a backlight, a processor, and controllers. The processor establishes a first frequency for the backlight to provide dimming ratios greater than 20 to 1. The processor establishes a second frequency for refreshing the LCD module such that the ratio of the display refresh frequency to backlight frequency is 6.5. The multiplicative and fractional factor reduces display aliases and beat frequency artifacts created by the differences in the two frequencies.

Method and apparatus for refreshing a liquid crystal display

The present invention relates to a circuit for obtaining a wide dimming ratio from a Royer inverter and, more particularly, to a circuit that allows a back light to have wide dimming ratio without having unwanted current spikes that would significantly reduce the life of the back light bulbs. The invention is directed to a DC-to-AC inverter circuit for obtaining a wide dimming ratio in a display back light. The DC-to-AC inverter circuit consists of a voltage source, a Royer inverter circuit and switch circuit to turn on the Royer inverter. The Royer inverter is configured to receive a DC pulse modulated (PWM) signal that is coupled a transformer to produce an output AC PWM signal that is sent to the display back light. The configuration creates an imbalance in the Royer circuit that in turn prevents current spikes that occur when rapidly turning on the Royer inverter.

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Overland Park, KS, United States of America

Walter J Rolston