Lightning strike protection circuit board assembly

Details Lightning strike protection circuit board assembly Lightning strike protection circuit board assembly

1999-05-14

2001-06-05

Sherry, Michael J. (Department: 2836)

Electricity: electrical systems and devices

Safety and protection of systems and devices

High voltage dissipation

C361S827000, C439S059000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06243249

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an assembly intended for use in aerospace applications and intended to house electrical/electronic circuits forming part of the control system for the aircraft.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There is a requirement to provide control circuits for an aircraft with lightning strike protection circuits in order to avoid damage to the control circuits in the event of the aircraft being struck by lightning. In a known electronic assembly, the lightning strike protection circuits are provided on circuit boards or cards which are mounted upon and electrically connected to a motherboard in the usual manner. It is desirable to be able to test the operation of the lightning strike protection circuits as, in normal use, these circuits are effectively dormant and so any faults could remain unnoticed for a long period of time. However, testing of the lightning strike protection circuits of the type described hereinbefore requires removal of the circuit boards or cards carrying the circuits from the motherboard, and this may require disassembly of a substantial portion of the assembly, thus testing is a relatively complex and time consuming operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention there is provided an electronic assembly comprising a housing receiving a motherboard arranged, in use, to carry control circuit components, and a circuit board carrying a lightning strike protection circuit, said circuit board including a first electrical connector, and the assembly further including a flexible cable electrically connected to the motherboard, the cable including a second electrical connector arranged to cooperate with said first electrical connector to electrically connect the lightning strike protection circuit to the motherboard, said first and second connectors being accessible from outside of the housing.
Such an arrangement is advantageous in that testing of the lightning strike protection circuit can be achieved by disconnecting the first and second connectors from one another and making alternative connections between the lightning strike protection circuit and appropriate test equipment without removing the circuit board carrying the lightning strike protection circuit from the housing.
Conveniently, the assembly further comprises a removable cover which can be mounted over the first and second connectors, in use, in order to restrict unauthorized access thereto.


REFERENCES:
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patent: 4503484 (1985-03-01), Moxon
patent: 4701696 (1987-10-01), Bogardus et al.
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patent: 5388995 (1995-02-01), Rudy, Jr. et al.
patent: 5539801 (1996-07-01), Herh et al.
patent: 5712754 (1998-01-01), Sides et al.
patent: 6061806 (2000-05-01), Caldwell et al.
patent: 195 43 016 (1997-05-01), None

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