Thermal measuring and testing – Temperature measurement – Combined with diverse art device
Reexamination Certificate
1997-08-27
2001-04-03
Bennett, G. Bradley (Department: 2859)
Thermal measuring and testing
Temperature measurement
Combined with diverse art device
C374S208000, C439S913000, C439S911000, C337S002000, C361S103000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06210036
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to temperature management, specifically to limiting the temperature rise within an aircraft ground power connector.
Presently, a parked aircraft receives external electrical energy via a ground power cable provided with an electrical plug. (By “ground” power cable is meant a cable connected to power on the ground at an airport rather than power provided by an aircraft visiting such airport.) The ground power plug is installed to a mating receptacle complimentary power connector
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on the aircraft, thus completing the connection from a ground power source to the aircraft.
Conditions exist wherein the electrical power contacts, either on the ground power plug or on the aircraft receptacle have become unfit for service because of wear or physical damage.
Often, the wear or damage goes unnoticed and an unfit connector is put into service. The damage manifests itself in the form of excessive electrical contact resistance with attendant energy loss in the form of heat. Power levels for aircraft electrical service are high, thus poor connections are able to produce a large amount of destructive heat in a brief period. The heat produced can and does cause costly damage to the aircraft as well as to ground power plug assembly.
At present, no known attempt has been made to automatically prevent the application of an unserviceable connector, either on the aircraft or ground equipment. Manual inspection tools are available, but are employed only if connector damage is noticed or during periodic inspection.
This invention automatically causes the removal of electrical energy from a connector that is experiencing excessive temperature rise, thus minimizing the risk of thermal damage to the aircraft or ground equipment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a connector thermal sensor comprises an electrical thermal sensing device incorporated into the body of an electrical connector assembly. The connector thermal sensor is located within the electrical connector body such that the sensor is thermally coupled to the electrical power contacts. Thus, the connector thermal sensor will provide an indication of the heat or energy loss produced by the electrical power contacts. The indication provided by the connector thermal sensor is communicated to remote equipment responsible for controlling the energy presented to the electrical power contacts. The connector thermal sensor permits energy passing through the power contacts to be managed, and in so doing minimizes the risk of thermal damage caused by excessive energy loss within a connector assembly.
Accordingly, several objects and advantages of our connector plug thermal sensor are:
(a) to minimize the risk of aircraft damage caused by a poor quality connection to a ground power source;
(b) to reduce the risk of damage to ground power components;
(c) to reduce aircraft departure delays caused by aircraft ground power difficulties;
(d) to reduce the usage of power sources aboard the aircraft, thus reducing both air and noise pollution;
(e) to reduce the amount of fuel consumed by aircraft onboard power sources while the aircraft is parked;
(f) to provide a safety device that functions without modification of an existing system;
(g) to promote a safe operating environment by providing for cost effective, automatic control of a known hazard.
Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3558987 (1971-01-01), Lewis
patent: 5463375 (1995-10-01), Bauer
patent: 5590010 (1996-12-01), Ceola et al.
patent: 5600306 (1997-02-01), Ichikawa et al.
patent: 5742464 (1998-04-01), Ceola et al.
patent: 2126805 (1984-03-01), None
Eberle Gerald P.
Janis Alan J.
Bennett G. Bradley
Verbitsky Gail
Zimmerman C. Michael
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