Multi-Use Optical Power Interface for Aircraft Data Transfer

Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless off-board communication solutions for aircraft are unable to efficiently transfer large amounts of data within a reasonable timeframe, leading to slow data transfer and high costs due to the need for manual data delivery or costly radio links.

Innovation Solution

A multi-use optical data, powerline data, and ground power interface that uses a connector with both optical and power portions to facilitate fast data transfer between an aircraft and ground systems, employing concave or convex lenses for optimal data transfer and broadband over powerline data paths, integrated into a conventional three-phase alternating current power interface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If wireless off-board communication solutions are used for data transfer, then data can be transferred without physical connection, but the transfer speed is insufficient and cannot handle large data volumes within reasonable timeframe

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transfer speedVSAvoiddata transfer time

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines optical data communication and power delivery into a single connector interface. The optical portion enables high-speed data transfer while the power portion provides electrical power, merging two previously separate functions into one integrated connection between aircraft and ground systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-use power interface serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides high-speed optical data communication, delivers electrical power to the aircraft, and can also transmit data over the power lines. This single interface replaces what would otherwise require separate connectors for power and data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate interfaces are used for data and power transfer, then each function can be optimized independently, but the system complexity and number of connectors increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterface functionalityVSAvoidnumber of connectors

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines optical data communication and power delivery into a single connector interface. The optical portion enables high-speed data transfer while the power portion provides electrical power, merging two previously separate functions into one integrated connection between aircraft and ground systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-use power interface serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides high-speed optical data communication, delivers electrical power to the aircraft, and can also transmit data over the power lines. This single interface replaces what would otherwise require separate connectors for power and data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables rapid transfer of multiple gigabytes of data between aircraft and ground systems, reducing transfer time from hours or days to minutes, while minimizing the need for additional interfaces and reducing operational costs by integrating data and power transfer through existing power connectors.

Implementation Method 1

a lens located on an end of the pin mates with an interior surface of a bottom of the socket

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical focusing: Lens

Data Source

PatentUS10992344B2Multi-use optical data, powerline data, and ground power interface for airplane factory automation

Publication Date: 2021.04.27 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

A method for communicating data between a vehicle and a ground system comprises receiving, by a vehicle bus multiplexer on the vehicle, the data via a plurality of vehicle data buses from an onboard system. The method further comprises multiplexing, by the vehicle bus multiplexer, the data into at least one data path of a multi-use power interface. Also, the method comprises transmitting, by the multi-use power interface via at least one data path, the data from the vehicle bus multiplexer to a ground bus multiplexer associated with the ground system. In addition, the method comprises demultiplexing, by the ground bus multiplexer, the data from at least one data path of the multi-use power interface into a plurality of ground data buses associated with the ground system. Further, the method comprises transmitting, by the ground bus multiplexer, the data via the plurality of ground data buses to the ground system.