Electrical contactor including at least one unique digitized identifier, electrical installation including at least one such electrical contactor, maintenance procedure for such an electrical installation

Abstract

Electrical contactor comprising at least one unique digitized identifier, electrical installation comprising at least one such electrical contactor, method for maintaining such an electrical installation. The invention relates to an electrical contactor (20) comprising a unique digitized identifier (38). Thanks to this unique digitized identifier (38), it is possible to store functional characteristics related to the electrical contactor (20) in a data storage system by associating them with the unique identifier (38) of the electrical contactor (20). Thus, it is possible to implement a predictive maintenance method that limits intervention times for maintenance operations. Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Electrical contactor comprising at least one unique digitized identifier, electrical installation comprising at least one such electrical contactor, method for maintaining such an electrical installation

[0001] The present application relates to an electrical contactor comprising at least one unique digitized identifier, to an electrical installation comprising at least one such electrical contactor and to a method for maintaining such an electrical installation.

[0002] According to one embodiment, an electrical contactor comprises first and second fixed contacts and a moving bridge which has first and second moving contacts and moves between a closed state in which the first and second moving contacts are in contact respectively with the first and second fixed contacts and an open state in which the first and second moving contacts are separated from the first and second fixed contacts.

[0003] According to one mode of operation, an electrical installation which includes an electrical contactor operates at a voltage of approximately 230 V. This voltage level allows the electrical contactor to ensure guaranteed performance for a period greater than or equal to the life of the aircraft.

[0004] According to another operating mode, an electrical installation operates at a voltage of approximately 1200 V and a current of up to 500 A. In this case, the opening of the electrical contactor causes electrical arcs between the fixed and moving contacts, which lead to progressive degradation of said contacts. At this voltage level, there are no electrical contactors with a limited volume and mass configured to operate for the entire lifetime of the aircraft.

[0005] Therefore, it is necessary to plan maintenance operations whose impact on the availability of the aircraft is as limited as possible.

[0006] The present invention aims to provide a solution for optimizing maintenance operations.

[0007] To this end, the invention relates to an electrical contactor comprising at least one fixed contact, at least one moving contact configured to move between an open state in which the fixed and moving contacts are separated and a closed state in which the fixed and moving contacts are in contact, as well as at least one actuator configured to move the moving contact from the open state to the closed state and vice versa, characterized in that the electrical contactor comprises a unique digitized identifier.

[0008] The fact that the unique identifier is digitized allows it to be exchanged between different components, to be stored in a digitized manner and / or to be processed by a computer processing system, which makes it possible to implement an optimal maintenance process by carrying out predictive maintenance operations which make it possible to limit periods of unavailability.

[0009] According to another feature, the electrical contactor includes at least one computer memory configured to store the unique identifier.

[0010] According to another feature, the computer memory is inerasable and configured to prevent any modification of the unique identifier.

[0011] According to another feature, the electrical contactor includes a serial number, the unique identifier corresponding to a digitized format of the serial number.

[0012] According to another feature, the electrical contactor includes at least one communication system for transmitting the digitized unique identifier.

[0013] The invention also relates to an electrical installation comprising at least one electrical contactor according to one of the preceding characteristics.

[0014] According to another feature, the electrical installation includes at least one acquisition system configured to acquire at least one functional feature related to the electrical contactor and at least one data storage system configured to store at least one functional feature related to a given electrical contactor associated with the unique identifier of the given electrical contactor.

[0015] According to another feature, the data storage system is configured to store at least one functional feature acquired at a given date and related to a given electrical contactor associated with the given date and the unique identifier of the given electrical contactor.

[0016] According to another feature, the electrical installation includes a communication system configured to remotely transmit data contained in the data storage system.

[0017] The invention also relates to a method for maintaining at least one electrical installation comprising at least one electrical contactor according to one of the preceding characteristics.

[0018] According to the invention, the maintenance process includes a step of acquiring at least one functional characteristic related to a given electrical contactor of the electrical installation, said electrical contactor having a unique identifier, as well as a step of storing the acquired functional characteristic associated with the unique identifier of the given electrical contactor.

[0019] According to another feature, the storage step aims to associate a functional feature acquired at a given date and in relation to a given electrical contactor, the given date and the unique identifier of the given electrical contactor in order to establish a history.

[0020] According to another feature, the given date is a particular instant in the operation of the electrical contactor chosen from among a change of state of the electrical contactor and a moment from which the electrical contactor transfers a current to the closed state.

[0021] According to another feature, the maintenance process includes a step of analyzing the history of each electrical contactor as well as a step of determining, if necessary, at least one maintenance operation of the electrical contactor based on the analysis of the history done in the previous step.

[0022] According to another feature, the maintenance process includes a step of transferring data from the data storage system to a centralized infrastructure at which the steps of analyzing the history and determining at least one maintenance operation are carried out.

[0023] According to another feature, the step of determining at least one maintenance operation is carried out automatically and autonomously.

[0024] According to another feature, each electrical contactor having a location, the maintenance process includes a step of associating each unique identifier of an electrical contactor with a location and a step of determining the location of an electrical contactor from its unique identifier.

[0025] Other features and advantages will become apparent from the following description of the invention, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, among which:

[0026] [Fig-1] is a side view of an aircraft,

[0027] [Fig.2] is a schematic representation of an electrical contactor illustrating a method of embodiment of the invention,

[0028] [Fig.3] is a schematic representation of an electrical installation, which integrates at least one electrical contactor visible on [Fig.2], illustrating one embodiment of the invention.

[0029] According to an embodiment visible in [Fig.1], an aircraft 10 comprises at least one electrical installation 12 which includes at least one electrical circuit 14, at least one electrical source 16, at least one electrical load 18 and at least one electrical contactor 20.

[0030] Of course, the invention is not limited to an aircraft 10. Thus, the electrical installation 12 could be installed in any type of vehicle operating at a current which has a high voltage, greater than or equal to 500 V, and a high current, greater than or equal to 100 A.

[0031] By way of example, according to an embodiment visible in [Fig.3], an electrical circuit 14 comprises at least one electrical source 16 having first and second terminals 16.1, 16.2, at least one electrical load 18 having first and second terminals 18.1, 18.2, and at least one electrical contactor 20 having first and second terminals 20.1, 20.2. According to one configuration, the first terminal 20.1 of the electrical contactor 20 is connected to the first terminal 16.1 of the electrical source 16, the second terminal 20.2 of the electrical contactor 20 is connected to the first terminal 18.1 of the electrical load 18, and the second terminals 16.2, 18.2 of the electrical source 16 and the electrical load 18 are connected together.

[0032] According to an embodiment visible in Figures 2 and 3, the electrical contactor 20 comprises first and second fixed contacts 22.1, 22.2 spaced apart and connected respectively to the first and second terminals 20.1, 20.2 and at least one moving bridge 24 which has first and second moving contacts 24.1, 24.2, said moving bridge 24 moving between a close position, corresponding to a closed state, in which the first and second moving contacts 24.1, 24.2 are in contact respectively with the first and second fixed contacts 22.1, 22.2 and a spread position, corresponding to an open state, in which the first and second moving contacts 24.1, 24.2 are spread apart from the first and second fixed contacts 22.1, 22.2. In addition, the electrical contactor 20 includes at least one actuator 26 configured to move the movable bridge 24 from the extended position to the extended position or vice versa.

[0033] Of course, the invention is not limited to this embodiment. Regardless of the embodiment, the electrical contactor comprises: a. at least one fixed contact 22.1 connected to the first terminal 20.1, b. at least one mobile contact 24.1 directly or indirectly linked to the second terminal 20.2 and configured to move between an open state in which the fixed and moving contacts 22.1, 24.1 are separated and a closed state in which the fixed and moving contacts 22.1, 24.1 are in contact, c. at least one actuator 26 configured to move the movable contact 24.1 from the open state to the closed state and vice versa.

[0034] The electrical installation 12 comprises at least one control and management system 28 configured to control the electrical contactor 20, in particular its actuator 26, and a first communication system 30 configured to transmit data between the control and management system 28 and the actuator 26. In one operating mode, the first communication system 30 is an electrical conductor and the data transmitted to the actuator 26 is in the form of electrical signals. For example, the control and management system 28 transmits a first signal to the actuator 26 to trigger the opening of the contactor. electrical 20 (transition from closed state to open state) as well as a second signal, different from the first signal, to cause the electrical contactor 20 to close (transition from open state to closed state).

[0035] The electrical installation 12 also includes at least one measuring system 32, 32' for at least one current characteristic. In one configuration, the electrical installation 12 includes at least one voltage measuring system 32, positioned for example between the second terminals 16.2, 20.2 of the electrical source 16 and the electrical contactor 20, as well as at least one current measuring system 32' positioned in series with the electrical contactor 20 to measure the intensity of the electric current flowing through the electrical contactor 20.

[0036] The electrical circuit 14, the electrical source 16, the electrical load 18, the measuring systems 32, 32' and the actuator 26 are not described further as they may be identical to those of the prior art.

[0037] According to one configuration, the electrical installation 12 includes at least one thermal sensor 32'' configured to determine, at a given instant, a temperature to which the electrical contactor 20 is subjected.

[0038] Of course, the invention is not limited to systems for measuring voltage, current, or temperature. In any embodiment, the electrical installation 12 includes at least one acquisition system 32, 32', 32" for at least one functional characteristic related to an electrical contactor 20. This functional characteristic may be a voltage, current, electrical resistance, temperature, pressure, or other characteristic. According to one operating mode, this functional characteristic is associated with a given date on which the functional characteristic was acquired. This functional characteristic may be measured, determined, or evaluated in real time, periodically, and / or at given dates or times.

[0039] The electrical installation 12 includes at least one data storage system 34 configured to store data, including the functional characteristics provided by at least one acquisition system 32, 32', 32”, and at least one second communication system 36 configured to exchange data between each acquisition system 32, 32', 32” and the data storage system 34.

[0040] According to one configuration, a data storage system 34 is configured to store data from a single acquisition system 32, 32', 32”. Alternatively, a data storage system 34 is configured to store data from several acquisition systems 32, 32', 32”. Furthermore, the functional characteristics of an acquisition system 32, 32', 32” can be transmitted to a single data storage system 34 or to several data storage systems 34.

[0041] According to one arrangement, the data storage system 34 is positioned in the aircraft 10 (more generally in the vehicle). More specifically, it is integrated into the control and management system 28. According to another arrangement, the data storage system 34 could be located remotely from the vehicle, depending on the capabilities of the second communication system 36.

[0042] Depending on the case, the first and second communication systems 30, 36 may be distinct or form a single communication system.

[0043] According to a particular feature of the invention, the electrical contactor 20 includes a unique digitized identifier 38. This unique identifier 38 is different for each electrical contactor 20 and allows them to be differentiated.

[0044] The fact that the unique identifier 38 is digitized allows it to be exchanged between different components, to be stored in a digitized manner and to be processed by a computer processing system.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the electrical contactor 20 includes at least one computer memory 40 configured to store the unique identifier 38. This computer memory 40 is of the ROM (Read-Only Memory) type, inerasable and configured to prevent any modification of the unique identifier 38.

[0046] In one configuration, the electrical contactor 20 includes a serial number assigned to it by its manufacturer. In addition, the unique identifier 38 corresponds to a digitized format of the serial number. According to one operating procedure, this serial number is written to the computer memory 40 at the end of the manufacturing test of the electrical contactor 20.

[0047] The electrical installation 12 includes at least one third communication system 42 configured to exchange data, including the unique identifier 38, between the computer memory 40 present in the electrical contactor 20 and the data storage system 34. According to one arrangement, the electrical contactor 20 includes a third communication system 42 to transmit the digitized unique identifier 38.

[0048] Depending on the case, the first and third communication systems 30, 42 may be distinct or form a single communication system.

[0049] According to the invention, a maintenance method for at least one electrical installation 12 comprises a step of acquiring at least one functional characteristic related to a given electrical contactor 20 of the electrical installation 12, and a step of storing the acquired functional characteristic associated with the unique identifier 38 of the given electrical contactor 20. In one embodiment, the storage step aims to associate a given date, a unique identifier 38 of a given electrical contactor 20, and the functional characteristic acquired at the given date in relation to the given electrical contactor 20 in order to establish a history.

[0050] According to one configuration, the given date is a particular instant in the operation of the electrical contactor 20. This particular instant may correspond to a change of state (closed / open) of the given electrical contactor 20, at a time when the electrical contactor 20 transfers a current in the closed state. Of course, the invention is not limited to these dates or instants.

[0051] In the case of an electrical installation 12 comprising several electrical contactors 20, these acquisition and storage steps are carried out for several electrical contactors 20. Thanks to the unique identifier 38 of each electrical contactor 20, it is possible to establish, for each given electrical contactor 20, a history of the acquired functional characteristics, associated with the unique identifier 38 of the electrical contactor 20.

[0052] The maintenance process also includes a step of analyzing the history of each electrical contactor 20 as well as a step of determining, if necessary, at least one maintenance operation of the electrical contactor 20 based on the analysis of the history carried out in the previous step.

[0053] This maintenance process optimizes maintenance by performing predictive maintenance operations that limit vehicle downtime.

[0054] In the case of an aircraft, the maintenance process includes, when the aircraft 10 is on the ground, a step of transferring data from the data storage system 34 to a centralized infrastructure 44 at which the steps of analyzing the history and determining at least one maintenance operation are carried out, as illustrated in [Fig.3].

[0055] According to one mode of operation, the step of determining at least one maintenance operation is carried out automatically and autonomously through computer processing.

[0056] According to one embodiment, each electrical contactor 20 having a given location, the maintenance process includes a step of associating each unique identifier 38 of an electrical contactor 20 with its location and a step of determining the location of an electrical contactor 20 from its unique identifier 38.

[0057] The centralized infrastructure 44 is configured to associate each unique identifier 38 of an electrical contactor 20 with a location of the electrical contactor 20. In the case of an aircraft, the location of an electrical contactor 20 is defined by an identifier of the aircraft in which the electrical contactor 20 is installed as well as the position of the electrical contactor 20 in the aircraft.

[0058] Thus, a centralized infrastructure 44 can indicate to a maintenance operator 46 the aircraft 10 in which to intervene, the position in the aircraft 10 of the electrical contactor to be treated and the maintenance operation(s) to be carried out.

[0059] According to one embodiment, the centralized infrastructure 44 has a processing system 48 configured to analyze the history and automatically and autonomously determine the maintenance operation(s) to be carried out.

[0060] The electrical installation 12 generally includes a communication system configured to remotely transmit data contained in the data storage system 34 to a centralized infrastructure 44.

[0061] According to one configuration, the data storage system 34 is configured to store at least one functional characteristic related to a given electrical contactor 20 associated with the unique identifier 38 of the given electrical contactor 20. According to another embodiment, the data storage system 34 is configured to store at least one functional characteristic acquired at a given date and related to a given electrical contactor 20 associated with the given date and with the unique identifier 38 of the given electrical contactor 20.

[0062] According to one embodiment, the data storage system 34 is configured to store, for at least one electrical contactor 20 that has a unique identifier 38, a history of the functional characteristics acquired at each specific date during the operation of the electrical contactor 20. Thus, the data storage system 34 associates a given unique identifier 38 of a given electrical contactor 20 with a specific date, along with the functional characteristics of that electrical contactor 20 acquired at that specific date. The specific date may correspond to a change of state (closed / open) of the given electrical contactor 20, at a point in time when it transfers current in the closed state. Of course, the invention is not limited to these dates or times.

[0063] According to one configuration, the data storage system is configured to store a history of functional characteristics related to several electrical contactors 20, each identified by a unique identifier 38 (different from one electrical contactor to another), each functional characteristic being associated with the unique identifier 38 of the electrical contactor 20 with which it is linked.

[0064] By way of example, the data storage system 34 can store for at least one electrical contactor 20: a. Its unique identifier 38, b. The current value at the moment of switching to the open state, at the moment of switching to the closed state and / or when the electrical contactor 20 is in the closed state, c. The voltage value at the moment of switching to the open state, at the moment of switching to the closed state, and / or when the electrical contactor 20 is in the closed state, d. The temperature to which the electrical contactor 20 is subjected, e. State change times, f. The number and dates of changes of state, g. Any other characteristic that allows for the determination of a degradation in the performance of the electrical contactor.

Claims

Demands

1. Electrical contactor (20) comprising at least one fixed contact (22.1), at least one moving contact (24.1) configured to move between an open state in which the fixed and moving contacts (22.1, 24.1) are separated and a closed state in which the fixed and moving contacts (22.1, 24.1) are in contact and at least one actuator (26) configured to move the moving contact (24.1) from the open state to the closed state and vice versa, characterized in that the electrical contactor (20) comprises a digitized unique identifier (38).

2. Electrical contactor (20) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the electrical contactor (20) comprises at least one computer memory (40) configured to store the unique identifier (38).

3. Electrical contactor (20) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the computer memory (40) is inerasable and configured to prevent any modification of the unique identifier (38).

4. Electrical contactor (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrical contactor (20) includes a serial number and in that the unique identifier (38) corresponds to a digitized format of the serial number.

5. Electrical contactor (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrical contactor (20) includes at least one communication system (42) for transmitting the digitized unique identifier (38).

6. Electrical installation (12) comprising at least one electrical contactor (20) according to any one of the preceding claims.

7. Electrical installation (12) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the electrical installation (12) comprises at least one acquisition system (32, 32', 32") configured to acquire at least one functional characteristic in connection with the electrical contactor (20) and at least one data storage system (34) configured to store at least one functional characteristic in connection with a given electrical contactor (20) associated with the unique identifier (38) of the given electrical contactor (20).

8. Electrical installation (12) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the data storage system (34) is configured to store at least one functional characteristic acquired at a given date and in connection with a given electrical contactor (20), associated with the given date and with the unique identifier (38) of the given electrical contactor (20).

9. Electrical installation (12) according to any one of claims 7 to 8, characterized in that the electrical installation (12) comprises a communication system configured to remotely transmit data contained in the data storage system (34).

10. Vehicle comprising at least one electrical installation (12) according to any one of claims 6 to 9.

11. A method for maintaining at least one electrical installation according to any one of claims 6 to 9 comprising at least one electrical contactor (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the maintenance method comprises a step of acquiring at least one functional characteristic in connection with a given electrical contactor (20) of the electrical installation (12), said electrical contactor (20) having a unique identifier (38), as well as a step of storing the acquired functional characteristic associated with the unique identifier (38) of the given electrical contactor (20).

12. Maintenance method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the storage step aims to associate a functional characteristic acquired at a given date and in connection with a given electrical contactor (20), the given date as well as the unique identifier (38) of the given electrical contactor (20) in order to establish a history.

13. Maintenance method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the given date is a particular instant of the operation of the electrical contactor (20) chosen from a change of state of the electrical contactor (20) and a moment from which the electrical contactor (20) transfers a current to the closed state.

14. A maintenance method according to any one of claims 12 to 13, characterized in that the maintenance method comprises a step of analyzing the history of each electrical contactor (20) as well as a step of determining, if necessary, at least one maintenance operation of the electrical contactor (20) based on the analysis of the history done in the previous step.

15. Maintenance method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the maintenance method includes a step of transferring data from the data storage system (34) to a centralized infrastructure (44) at which the steps of analyzing the history and determining at least one maintenance operation are carried out.

16. Maintenance method according to any one of claims 14 to 15, characterized in that the step of determining at least one maintenance operation is carried out automatically and autonomously.

17. Maintenance method according to any one of claims 11 to 16, characterized in that, each electrical contactor having a location, the maintenance method comprises a step of associating each unique identifier (38) of an electrical contactor (20) with a location and a step of determining the location of an electrical contactor (20) from its unique identifier (38).

Images