Wireless Dimmable Aircraft Windows Without Added Wiring Weight
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical dimmable window systems in aircraft require additional wires and power systems, adding weight and making them inefficient and difficult to retrofit, as they need data wiring and power systems to control the level of transparency.
Innovation Solution
A dimmable window system using an electrical film component operably coupled with the window structure, which can change states to control transparency, powered by a source that can harvest energy and wirelessly controlled, eliminating the need for data wiring and power systems, and allowing independent control of different regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If electrical dimmable window systems use wired power and control connections, then the window structure can be controlled to change transparency, but additional weight is added to the aircraft due to wires and wire harnesses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power and control wiring from the window system by using wireless power transfer technology. The window structure becomes a standalone unit that receives power wirelessly through electromagnetic coupling, eliminating the need for physical wire harnesses connecting each window to the aircraft's electrical system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical wiring system with an electromagnetic field-based power transfer system. Instead of using physical wires to deliver power and control signals, the system uses inductive coupling between a transmitter in the aircraft structure and a receiver in the window assembly to transfer energy and data wirelessly.
2Adaptability or versatility
If electrical dimmable window systems are installed in existing aircraft, then window transparency control is enabled, but retrofitting is difficult due to lack of space for additional wires
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the requirement for internal wiring harnesses by implementing wireless power and control. This extraction of the wiring infrastructure enables retrofitting in existing aircraft where no additional space for wires is available, as the power and control signals are transmitted through electromagnetic fields that require no physical pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless communication system serves multiple functions simultaneously - power transfer, data communication, and control signaling - all through the same electromagnetic coupling interface. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate wiring for power, control, and data, making the system universally applicable to both new and existing aircraft.
3Use of energy by moving object
If manual window shades are used, then no additional power systems are needed, but controlling transparency becomes time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical shade operation with an electrically-controlled electrochromic window system. The window glass itself changes transparency properties in response to electrical signals, eliminating the need for mechanical shades and providing instant, button-controlled transparency adjustment that is both energy-efficient and highly productive.
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
The system allows for efficient, wireless control of window transparency without adding weight to the aircraft, enabling easy retrofitting and improved operational flexibility by using energy-harvesting power sources and capacitive touch sensors.
Implementation Method 1
an electrical film component that may be controlled to change between plural different states... the electrical film component can change between the plural different states to control a level of transparency of the window structure
Implementation Method 2
the power source may be and/or include a power harvester, which can be harvest thermal energy, photovoltaic energy, RF energy
Implementation Method 3
the energy received and stored by the power source can be stored in an onboard capacitor, a battery, or the like
Implementation Method 4
the electrical film component may incorporate a capacitive touch sensor, and the state of the electrical film component can be changed responsive to the detection of touch from the passenger by the touch sensor
Data Source
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AI summary
A system and a method include a dimmable window system including window structure having a first surface and an opposite second surface, and an electrical film component that is operably coupled with the second surface of the window structure. The electrical film component is controlled to change between plural different states. A power source provides power to the electrical film component to change the electrical film component between the plural different states.