Aircraft Power Supply Validation Using Three Switches
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for protecting sensitive electrical and electronic systems, such as aircraft navigation equipment, face challenges in safely managing potentially disturbing sub-assemblies that can be impaired by untimely radioelectric transmissions, requiring sophisticated and cumbersome isolation means that are not always effective.
Innovation Solution
A device with three controlled make/break switches in series along the power supply line, actuated by discrete signals indicating the system's operating phase, generates a validation command to ensure safe power-up of disturbing sub-assemblies only during non-critical phases, using means to detect state changes and verify consistency, and includes mechanisms for adapting coding logic and electrical adaptation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If isolation means are installed to prevent disturbing effects of sub-assemblies, then system safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by validating the operating phase and checking discrete states before allowing power supply to the sub-assembly. The control device performs preliminary verification of system state and generates validation commands to ensure safe operation conditions are met before the potentially disturbing sub-assembly is activated, preventing harmful effects before they can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device serves as an intermediary between the operating phase indicators (discretes) and the power supply system. It receives discrete signals indicating system state, processes them through validation logic, and controls the power supply accordingly. This intermediary function replaces complex isolation means with a intelligent control mechanism that mediates power delivery based on real-time system conditions.
2Reliability
If control means are used to check operating phase before powering up sub-assembly, then untimely transmission is prevented, but measurement precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control device implements feedback by continuously monitoring the states of discretes that indicate operating phase, validating these states against expected conditions, and adjusting power supply control accordingly. The validation command generation relies on feedback from discrete state detection, creating a closed-loop control system that ensures accurate determination of safe operating phases while maintaining reliability.
3Reliability
If multiple detection lines are used to verify discrete state consistency, then validation reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing multiple independent detection lines that each validate specific aspects of the discrete states. Rather than using a single complex validation mechanism, the system distributes validation functionality across multiple lines, where each line performs a specific validation function. This modular approach improves validation reliability while keeping individual detection lines relatively simple and manageable.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a device making it possible to turn on a sub-assembly of an electrical item of equipment hosted in a bigger system, which, if turned on unchecked, may impair the operation of the other items of equipment of the system. An embodiment includes three make/break switches in series in the power supply line and a control of the opening or closing of these make/break switches. Two of the make/break switches are controlled by two independent discrete state indicators, to determine whether the power supply of the sub-assembly of the item of equipment may be energized without undue risk to other equipment of the system. The third make/break switch is controlled by a validation command based on the two discretes, actuating the third make/break switch only if the discretes are in the desired state and if a switching of these discretes has been noted. An embodiment of the invention applies to the protection of the onboard equipment of an aircraft in the flight phase against the turning on of ancillary equipment not used in the flight phase and transmitting radioelectric waves that may catastrophically impair the operation of the other items of equipment.