Aircraft floor incorporating a ground plane

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016009361-A1
Application number	US-201414772429-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Feb 26, 2014
Priority date	Mar 6, 2013
Publication date	Jan 14, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A system for shielding of at least one component ( 28 ) within an aircraft ( 10 ) includes a floor panel disposed at least partially between joists ( 38 ) supporting a floor ( 30 ) within the aircraft and a ground plane ( 44 ) connected to a bottom surface of the floor panel. The ground plane extends at least partially between adjacent joists. At least one bracket ( 52 ) electrically connects the ground plane to at least one of the joists.

First claim

1 . A system for shielding of at least one component within an aircraft, comprising:
a floor panel disposed at least partially between joists supporting a floor within the aircraft, the floor panel being connected to at least one of the joists; a ground plane connected to a bottom surface of the floor panel, the ground plane extending at least partially between adjacent joists; and at least one bracket electrically connecting the ground plane to the at least one joist, the electrical connection between the ground plane and the at least one joist being independent from the connection between the floor panel and the at least one joist.

2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the ground plane shields the at least one component from at least one of electromagnetic and radio frequency interference.

3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the ground plane comprises:
a plate of electrically conductive material; and at least one hole provided in the plate to lighten the total weight of the plate, wherein the hole is sized for shielding of the at least one component, accommodating at least one of frequency and wavelength of impingent radiation upon the at least one component.

4 . The system of claim 3 , wherein the hole is no more than about 1/10th of the size of a minimum wavelength of the impingent radiation.

5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the bracket comprises:
a body defining a first end and a second end, wherein the first end connects to the ground plane and wherein the second end connects to the joist; at least one first fastener connecting the first end to the ground plane; at least one second fastener connecting the second end to the joist; a spacer connected to the first end, establishing a contact surface between the spacer and the ground plane; and a seal surrounding the spacer.

6 . A ground plane for shielding of at least one component within an aircraft, comprising:
a plate of electrically conductive material comprising a plurality of holes provided in the plate to lighten the total weight of the plate; wherein the holes are sized for shielding of the at least one component, accommodating at least one of frequency and wavelength of impingent radiation upon the at least one component, and, an area of the plate occupied by all of the holes in the plate is less than an area of the plate occupied by the conductive material.

7 . The ground plane of claim 6 , wherein the holes are no more than about 1/10th of the size of a minimum wavelength of the impingent radiation.

8 . The ground plane of claim 6 , wherein the ground plane shields the at least one component from at least one of electromagnetic and radio frequency interference.

9 . The ground plane of claim 6 , wherein the plate is made of metal.

10 . The ground plane of claim 7 , wherein the holes are circular with a diameter of about 1.2 inches and the distance between adjacent holes is equal to or greater than 1.2 inches.

11 . The ground plane of claim 6 , wherein the at least one electrical component comprises at least one wire bundle.

12 . A bracket for connecting a ground plane to a joist for shielding of at least one component within an aircraft, comprising:
a body defining a first end and a second end, wherein the first end connects to a ground plane and wherein the second end connects to the joist; at least one first fastener connecting the first end to the ground plane; at least one second fastener connecting the second end to the joist; a spacer connected to the first end, establishing a contact surface between the spacer and the ground plane; and a seal surrounding the spacer.

13 . The bracket of claim 12 , wherein the spacer comprises:
an electrically conductive material.

14 . The bracket of claim 12 , wherein the bracket comprises metal.

15 . The bracket of claim 12 , wherein the spacer comprises:
a peripheral portion; and an inner portion with a thickness greater than that of the peripheral portion.

16 . The bracket of claim 12 , wherein the seal comprises an elastomeric material.

17 . The bracket of claim 12 , wherein the ground plane shields the at least one component from at least one of electromagnetic and radio frequency interference.

18 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the bracket comprises a first end defining a first surface for contacting the ground plane and a second end defining a second surface for contacting the at least one joist, the first and second surfaces being non-parallel.

19 . The system as defined in claim 18 , wherein the first and second surfaces are substantially perpendicular.

20 . The system as defined in claim 1 , comprising a plurality of brackets where each bracket is disposed roughly at a corner of the ground plane.

Assignees

• Bombardier Inc
• Short Brothers Plc

Inventors

• Roborel De Climens Lody
• Desy Philippe
• Gaudreau Jean-Guy

Classifications

• F16M13/02

  for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle · CPC title

• B64C1/18 Primary

  Floors · CPC title

• B64D45/02

  Lightning protectors; Static dischargers · CPC title