Aircraft ground power connector

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9356399-B2
Application number	US-201314105485-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 13, 2013
Priority date	Dec 13, 2013
Publication date	May 31, 2016
Grant date	May 31, 2016

Abstract

An aircraft ground power connector for use in an aircraft ground power support system providing electrical power from a ground power unit through a ground power cable to the ground power receptacle of a parked aircraft. The axis of the portion of the connector housing which engages the aircraft ground power receptacle is angled relative to the axis of the portion of the housing which receives the ground power cable to minimize mechanical stress on the aircraft ground power receptacle when the connector is installed therein and to render the connector easier to insert and remove from the aircraft receptacle. Additionally, the ground power connector includes a capacitor connected to an electrical circuit within the connector supplying do voltage to the aircraft ground power receptacle to mitigate momentary voltage drops at the receptacle resulting from momentary surges in current demand by the aircraft.

First claim

We claim:

1. An aircraft ground power connector for use in an aircraft ground power support system connecting a ground power unit through a ground power cable to the ground power receptacle of a parked aircraft, comprising:
a connector housing having a first portion adapted to engage the aircraft ground power receptacle, and a second portion adapted to securely receive the ground power cable;
one or more voltage sensors within said housing;
said connector housing further containing at least two electrical conductors forming in part an electrical circuit for supplying power from said ground power unit through said ground power cable to said aircraft ground power receptacle, said electrical circuit providing a predetermined nominal voltage level at said ground power receptacle but being subject to a momentary voltage drop, detected by said sensor, resulting from a momentary surge in current demand by the aircraft;
a capacitor for conditioning power supplied to said aircraft, said capacitor disposed within said connector housing and electrically connected to said electrical circuit and charged by current in the circuit during normal operation to said predetermined nominal voltage; and
said capacitor discharging into said electrical circuit upon the voltage at said ground power receptacle falling below said predetermined nominal voltage level to mitigate said voltage drop at the receptacle.

2. An aircraft ground power connector as defined in claim 1
wherein the axis of said first housing portion forms an angle relative to the axis of said second housing portion to reduce bending stress on the receptacle when the connector is inserted therein.

3. An aircraft ground power connector as defined in claim 2 wherein said axis of said first connector portion forms an angle greater than zero degrees but less than ninety degrees relative to said axis of said second connected portion.

4. An aircraft ground power connector as defined in claim 3 wherein said axis of said first connector portion forms an angle between 30 degrees and 60 degrees relative to said axis of said second connector portion.

5. An aircraft ground power connector as defined in claim 1 wherein said capacitor is contained within a capacitor module having multiple individual capacitors electrically connected in parallel.

6. An aircraft ground power connector as defined in claim 1 wherein said capacitor module is contained within an electrically non-conductive housing and includes at least two electrical conductors connected to said electrical circuit within said housing.

7. An aircraft ground power connector as defined in claim 6 , wherein said connector housing includes a compartment dimensioned to receive said capacitor module.

8. An aircraft ground power connector as defined in claim 6 wherein said capacitor module and said compartment are cylindrical in form.

9. An aircraft ground power connector as defined in claim 7 wherein said compartment is accessible from the exterior of said housing and said capacitor module is removable from said compartment for test or replacement.

10. An aircraft ground power connector as defined in claim 9 wherein said connector housing includes a removable cap adapted to fit over said compartment to secure said capacitor module in said compartment.

11. An aircraft ground power connector as defined in claim 1 wherein said nominal voltage is approximately 28 VDC and said capacitor element is approximately 66000 microfarads.

Assignees

• Leadingham David Wayne
• Johnson Drew Robert
• Fette Randy John
• Welch Ralph Emerson
• Illinois Tool Works

Inventors

• Leadingham David Wayne
• Johnson Drew Robert
• Fette Randy John
• Welch Ralph Emerson

Classifications

• B64F1/352

  Mobile units · CPC title

• B64F1/34

  for starting propulsion plant · CPC title

• H01R13/648 Primary

  Protective earth or shield arrangements on coupling devices {, e.g. anti-static shielding}   (coaxially arranged shields H01R24/38) · CPC title

• B64F1/36

  Other airport installations (ground installations for de-icing aircraft B64F5/20) · CPC title