POWER MANAGEMENT AND DISTRIBUTION DEVICE

Abstract

The present invention relates to a power management and distribution device (4) for powering personal electronic devices via outlet units (6a, 6b) at passenger seats in an airplane cabin, wherein the power management and distribution device (4) comprises a first interface (12) for receiving electrical supply power (10) from a master control unit (2) connected to a primary power source (3), a second interface (14) for supplying electrical supply power (10) received at said first interface (12) to another power management and distribution device (4i), a third interface (16) for supplying electrical supply power (10) received at said first interface (12) to the personal electronic devices via the outlet units (6a, 6b), and a control unit (18) configured to control the electrical outlet power (20) drawn by the personal electronic devices via the outlet units (6a, 6b). Further, the present invention relates to a power management and distribution system (1) comprising such a device, and to a method for managing and distributing power in an airplane cabin.

Claims

1. A power management and distribution device (4) for powering personal electronic devices via outlet units (6a, 6b) at passenger seats in an airplane cabin, the power management and distribution device (4) comprising: a first interface (12) for receiving electrical supply power (10) from a master control unit (2) connected to a primary power source (3); a second interface (14) for supplying electrical supply power (10) received at said first interface (12) to another power management and distribution device (4i); a third interface (16) for supplying electrical supply power (10) received at said first interface (12) to the personal electronic devices via the outlet units (6a, 6b); and a control unit (18) configured to control the electrical outlet power (20) drawn by the personal electronic devices via the outlet units (6a, 6b).

2. The power management and distribution device (4) according to claim 1, wherein the control unit (18) is configured to determine a power control signal (22) for controlling the electrical outlet power (20) drawn by at least one of the personal electronic devices via at least one of the outlet units (6a; 6b) and wherein the power management and distribution device (4) is configured to send the power control signal (22) to said at least one outlet unit (6a; 6b) via the third interface (16).

3. The power management and distribution device (4) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a power measurement unit (24) configured to measure the electrical outlet power (20) drawn by the personal electronic devices via the outlet units (6a, 6b), wherein the control unit (18) is configured to limit the electrical outlet power (20) drawn by the personal electronic devices via the outlet units (6a, 6b) based on the measured electrical outlet power (20).

4. The power management and distribution device (4) according to claim 3, further comprising a non-volatile memory (19) connected to the control unit (18), wherein said non-volatile memory (19) comprises a power limit of the power management and distribution device (4) and wherein the control unit (18) is configured to limit the electrical outlet power (20) drawn by the personal electronic devices via the outlet units (6a, 6b) based on a comparison of the measured electrical outlet power (20) and said power limit.

5. The power management and distribution device (4) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (18) is configured to limit the electrical outlet power (20) drawn by the personal electronic devices via the outlet units (6a, 6b) to a finite number of discrete power levels.

6. The power management and distribution device (4) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (18) is configured to limit the electrical outlet power (20) drawn by the personal electronic devices via the outlet units (6a, 6b) to the same power level for all outlet units (6a, 6b) of the power management and distribution device (4).

7. The power management and distribution device (4) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising an AC/DC conversion device (26, 28, 29) configured to convert AC electrical supply power (10) supplied by the master control unit (2) via the first interface (12) to DC power supplied to the personal electronic devices via the third interface (16) and the outlet units (6a, 6b).

8. The power management and distribution device (4) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a fourth interface (17), wherein the power management and distribution device (4) is configured to supply in-flight entertainment screens with electrical outlet power (20) via the fourth interface (17).

9. A power management and distribution system (1), comprising: at least one power management and distribution device (4) according to any of the preceding claims; and at least two outlet units (6a, 6b) connected to the third interface (16) of the power management and distribution device (4), each outlet unit (6a, 6b) comprising at least one USB outlet and each configured to supply electrical outlet power (20) to a personal electronic device.

10. The power management and distribution system (1) according to claim 9, wherein the outlet units (6a, 6b) are each configured to receive the power control signal (22) from the power management and distribution device (4) and are each configured to limit the drawn electrical outlet power (20) by the personal electronic devices according to the power control signal (22).

11. The power management and distribution system (1) according to claim 10, wherein each of the outlet units (6a, 6b) comprises a power delivery unit (48) configured to negotiate a power contract with a coupled personal electronic device based on the power control signal (22) received from the power management and distribution device (4) via the third interface (16).

12. The power management and distribution system (1) according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein at least one of said outlet units (6a; 6b) comprises an outlet plug for USB-C (56) and an outlet plug for USB-A (66).

13. The power management and distribution system (1) according to any one of claims 9 to 12, further comprising: a master control unit (2) configured to receive primary electrical power (8) from a primary power source (3); and a plurality of power management and distribution devices (4, 4i) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, each configured to receive electrical supply power (10, 10i) from the master control unit (2) via its first interface (12, 12i).

14. The power management and distribution system (1) according to claim 13, wherein a first power management and distribution device (4) is connected to the master control unit (2) via its first interface (12) and a second power management and distribution device (4i) is connected via its first interface (12i) to the second interface (14) of the first power management and distribution device (4) in a daisy chain fashion.

15. A method for managing and distributing power in an airplane cabin with a power management and distribution device (4), preferably with a power management and distribution device (4) according to one of claims 1 to 8, the method comprising the steps: measuring (68) the electrical outlet power (20) drawn by personal electronic devices via outlet units (6a, 6b); determining (70) a power control signal (22) based on a comparison of the measured electrical outlet power (20) with a power limit of the power management and distribution device (4); and sending (72) a power control signal (22) to the outlet units (6a, 6b) for limiting the electrical outlet power (20) drawn by the personal electronic devices via the outlet units (6a, 6b).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] FIG. 1 schematically shows an airplane cabin with a power management and distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 2 schematically shows the power management and distribution system of FIG. 1.

[0026] FIG. 3 schematically shows a power management and distribution device of the power management and distribution system of FIG. 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 4 schematically shows an outlet unit of the power management and distribution system of FIG. 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 5 schematically shows a state flow diagram of a method for managing and distributing power in an airplane cabin according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0029] FIG. 1 shows a power management and distribution system (PMDS) 1 in an airplane cabin according to an embodiment of the present invention. The power management and distribution system 1 is configured to power personal electronic devices at a plurality of seats in said airplane cabin. The PMDS comprises a master control unit (MCU) 2, which is electrically connected directly or indirectly to a primary power source 3. The primary power source 3 shown in FIG. 1 is an aircraft turbine, which comprises a turbine driving a generator (not shown). The primary power source 3 supplies the MCU 2 with primary electrical power 8, in the present embodiment with AC power. The MCU 2 is electrically and electronically connected to a plurality of power management and distribution devices (PMDDs) 4a-4d. Each of the PMDDs 4a-4d is configured to power a plurality of personal electronic devices via outlet units, which will be shown in further figures in more detail. In the present embodiment, a first PMDD 4a is electrically and electronically connected directly to the MCU 2, wherein the further PMDDs 4b-4d are electrically and electronically connected indirectly to the MCU 2 via further PMDDs in a daisy chain fashion (see also FIG. 2).

[0030] Each PMDD 4 may be assigned to a single seat group, e.g. a seat group consisting of 2, 3, 4 or 5 individual seats. As depicted schematically in FIG. 1, PMDD 4a may manage and distribute power for the front left seat group and PMDD 4b may manage and distribute power for the front right seat group. In an embodiment, multiple outlet units of each seat group may be electrically and electronically connected to the corresponding PMDD 4, as illustrated in FIG. 2. In an embodiment of the invention not shown in the figures, each cabin zone, e.g. the first class, business class and/or economy class, could be provided with a separate MCU 2, each of said MCUs 2 being connected to the primary power source 3, e.g. in the above described fashion.

[0031] FIG. 2 shows the PMDS 1 of FIG. 1 in more detail. As derivable from FIG. 2, PMDD 4 comprises a first interface 12 for receiving electrical supply power 10 and a tri-state signal 32 directly from the MCU 2. The PMDD 4 comprises a second interface 14 for supplying at least a part of the electrical supply power 10 received at said first interface 12 to another PMDD 4i. The PMDD 4i also comprises a first interface 12i for receiving electrical supply power 10i and the tri-state signal 32 from the MCU 2, i.e. indirectly via at least the other PMDD 4. The PMDD 4 comprises a third interface 16 connected to outlet units 6a. 6b for supplying electrical outlet power to personal electronic devices (PEDs). The outlet units 6a, 6b may be located at passenger seats in the airplane cabin. The outlet units 6a, 6b are electrically and electronically connected directly to the PMDD 4. In the present embodiment, each outlet unit 6a, 6b comprises its own electrical line and its own electronic data line, as shown in FIG. 2. Preferably, the outlet units 6a, 6b are configured to draw power from the PMDD 4 and to receive data from the PMDD 4. In an embodiment, the data connection of the outlet units 6a, 6b to the PMDD 4 is uni-directional such that the outlet units 6a, 6b only receive data from the PMDD 4 but cannot send data to the PMDD 4. The PMDD 4 comprises a fourth interface 17 for supplying electrical power to in-flight entertainment (IFE) screens, which are not shown in FIG. 2. The PMDD 4 may control the IFE screens and may switch the power supplied to the IFE screens via the fourth interface 17 on and off. Each of the PMDDs 4i of the PMDS 1 of FIG. 2 may be configured identical to the PMDD 4.

[0032] The PMDD 4 of FIG. 2 is shown in more detail in FIG. 3. As derivable from FIG. 3, the first interface 12 of the PMDD 4 is electrically and electronically connected with the second interface 14 of the PMDD 4 via a connector 34. The connector 34 may be a daisy chain connector, enabling a connection of multiple PMDDs 4i in a daisy chain fashion. The connection between the first and second interfaces 12, 14 may be a direct connection. The second interface 14 may supply AC electrical supply power 10i to another PMDD 4i. Furthermore, the second interface 14 may send a tri-state signal 32 received from the MCU 2 to another PMDD 4i.

[0033] The primary interface 12 is, preferably directly, electrically connected to an input filter 30 to supply an electrical power thereto. Preferably, the input filter 30 may comprise a common mode and/or a differential mode filter. Additionally, the input filter 30 may comprise a fuse and an inrush limiter and/or temperature fuse protecting the further electronics within the PMDD 4 against high currents from the MCU 2. The input filter 30 is, preferably directly, electrically connected to an AC/DC converter 29. The AC/DC converter 29 may comprise an active rectifier. The AC/DC converter 29 may be controlled by a control unit, which is not shown in FIG. 3. Said control unit may be an integrated circuit (IC). The AC/DC converter 29 is, preferably directly, electrically connected to a power factor correction (PFC) unit 28. The PFC unit 28 may be controlled by an IC, which is not shown in FIG. 3. The PFC unit 28 may control the AC/DC converter 29, e.g. increase the power factor of the power converted by the AC/DC converter 29 for improving the performance of the PMDD 4. The PFC unit 28 is, preferably directly, electrically connected to a DC/DC converter 26. The DC/DC converter 26 may comprise an LLC half bridge or full bridge, an LLC transformer, and a synchronous rectifier. The DC/DC converter 26 may be controlled by at least one IC, which is not shown in FIG. 3. Said at least one IC may be controlled by a control unit 18 of the PMDD 4. The DC/DC converter 26 may convert high DC voltage power to low DC voltage power.

[0034] An AC/DC conversion device comprising the AC/DC converter 29, the PFC unit 28 and the DC/DC converter 26 may be configured to convert the AC electrical supply power 10 supplied from the MCU 2 via the first interface 12 into DC electrical outlet power 20. The DC electrical outlet power provided by the DC/DC converter may be drawn by personal electronic devices via the outlet units 6a. 6b, which are not shown in FIG. 3, but which will be described in connection with FIG. 4 below.

[0035] The DC/DC converter 26 is, preferably directly, electrically connected to a power measurement unit (PMU) 24. The PMU 24 may comprise a volt- and amperemeter configured to measure the voltage against ground and the current drawn through the PMU 24. The PMU 24 may comprise multiple volt- and amperemeters configured to measure each electrical outlet power 20 drawn by each outlet unit 6a, 6b, which are not shown in FIG. 3. The PMU 24 may be configured to send the result of the power measurement to the control unit 18. The PMU 24 may supply electrical outlet power 20 to the outlet units 6a, 6b via the third interface 16. The third interface 16 may comprise at least one physical outlet, e.g. at least one SUB-D outlet. The PMU 24 is electrically connected to the fourth interface 17, wherein said PMU may be configured to measure electrical outlet power 20 drawn via the fourth interface 17, e.g. by an IFE at the fourth interface 17.

[0036] The control unit 18 of the PMDD 4 is, preferably directly, electronically connected to the first interface 12. The control unit 18 receives a tri-state signal 32 from the MCU 2 via the first interface 12. The control unit 18 may be configured to determine a power control signal 22 based on the tri-state signal 32 and the result of the measured electrical outlet power 20 provided by the PMU 24. The control unit 18 is electronically connected to a non-volatile memory 19. The non-volatile memory may be a RAM, EPROM and/or EEPROM. The non-volatile memory 19 may comprise a power limit of the PMDD 4 and may describe the power capability of the PMDD 4. The control unit 18 may determine the power control signal 22 based on said power limit from the non-volatile memory 19. The control unit 18 may be a microcontroller.

[0037] An embodiment of one outlet unit 6, which may be coupled via the third interface 16 to the PMDD 4 shown in FIG. 3, is shown in FIG. 4. As described above, multiple outlet units 6 may be connected to the third interface 16 of the PMDD 4, which may each be configured as the outlet unit 6 described below. The outlet unit 6 is supplied with at least a part of said DC electrical outlet power 20 and the power control signal 22 from the PMDD 4 via the third interface 16 that is directly connected to an input plug 36. The outlet unit 6 may also be connected to the ground of the PMDD 4 via the input plug 36. The input plug 36 may be a SUB-D plug. The input plug 36 is, preferably directly, electrically and electronically connected to a lightning and ESD protection unit 38. The lightning and ESD protection unit 38 may protect the further electronic parts of the outlet unit 6 against high potential differences. The power control signal 22 is supplied from the lightning and ESD protection unit 38 to a 5-state logic unit 40, which provides a 5-state signal to a control unit 46 of the outlet unit 6. The lightning and ESD protection unit 38, the 5-state logic unit 40, and the control unit 46 are electronically connected. The control unit 46 may be a microcontroller.

[0038] The lightning and ESD protection unit 38 is, preferably directly, electrically connected to a filter unit 42, which preferably provides 28 VDC. The filter unit 42 is electrically connected to the 5-state logic unit 40 to supply said unit with power. Furthermore, the filter unit 42 is electrically connected to a DC/DC converter 44 for supplying power to the control unit 46 and a power delivery unit 48. The DC/DC converter 44 may convert 28 VDC to 3.3 VDC and 5 VDC to power the power delivery unit 48 and the control unit 46, respectively. The power delivery unit 48 may be a PD controller, preferably a USB-PD controller. The power delivery unit 48 is electronically connected via an I2C to the control unit 46. The power delivery unit 48 may receive a communicative signal from the control unit 46, e.g. the power control signal 22, which is supplied via the plug 36 from the PMDD.

[0039] The outlet unit 6 shown in FIG. 4 comprises one outlet plug for USB-C 56 and one outlet plug for USB-A 66. Alternatively, each outlet unit 6 may only comprise one outlet plug for USB-C 56. A PED may be coupled with each of the plugs 56, 66. The outlet plug for USB-C 56 is electrically and electronically directly connected to a filter and/or lightning and ESD protection 54, which is configured to protect a coupled PED. The filter and/or lightning and ESD protection 54 is electrically connected directly to a transistor 52, preferably a MOSFET. The transistor 52 is electronically connected to the power delivery unit 48 and electrically connected to a variable DC/DC converter 50. The DC/DC converter 50 is electrically connected to the filter unit 42 and is supplied by the filter unit 42 with DC electrical outlet power 20, preferably 28 VDC. The DC/DC converter 50 is electronically connected to the power delivery unit 48 via CTL1/CTL2. The power delivery unit 48 is electronically connected via the filter/lightning and ESD protection 54 to the output plug for USB-C 56 and is configured to negotiate via CC1/CC2 a power contract with a PED coupled to the output plug for USB-C 56. Based on the received power control signal 22 received from the PMDD 4 via the I2C from the control unit 46, the power delivery unit 48 may negotiate the power contract according to said power control signal 22. For example, the power delivery unit 48 may control the DC/DC convertor 50 to convert the voltage to an aspired value. Likewise, the power delivery unit 48 may control the transistor 52 to limit the voltage and/or current to an aspired value. Thus, the power delivery unit 48 may limit the power drawn by a PED connected to the USB-C plug 56 to an aspired value, which was determined by the control unit 18 of the PMDD and provided to the outlet unit 6 via the third interface 16.

[0040] Shown for this embodiment is also the outlet plug for USB-A 66 and corresponding electronics. The USB-A functionality may be omitted in another embodiment of the invention. The outlet plug for USB-A 66 is electrically and electronically connected to a filter/lightning and ESD protection 62. Said protection 62 may be configured to protect a coupled PED. The filter/lightning and ESD protection 62 is electronically connected to a charging port controller 64. The charging port control may control the power supplied via the filter/lightning and ESD protection 62 to the PED coupled to the outlet plug for USB-A 66. This may be done via a further transistor, which is not shown. The control of the power supplied to the PED may be done based on a negotiation via D+/D− communication between the charging port controller 64 and the PED via the outlet plug for USB-A 66 and the filter/lightning and ESD protection 62. The filter/lightning and ESD protection 62 is electrically connected to a transistor 60, preferably a MOSFET. The transistor 60 is electronically connected to the control unit 46, which may switch the transistor 60 and thus the USB-A plug 66 on or off. Alternatively, the power may be limited to a level between minimum (off) and maximum (on) power. The transistor 60 may send an over current signal to the control unit 46 in order to indicate a current limit reached by the transistor 60. The transistor 60 is electrically connected to a DC/DC converter 58, which may be configured to convert 28 VDC electrical outlet power 20 from the filter unit 42 to 5 VDC supplied to the transistor 60.

[0041] FIG. 5 schematically shows the steps of a method for managing and distributing power in an airplane cabin with the power management and distribution device shown in FIG. 3 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, the control unit 18 of the PMDD 4 may be configured to execute the below described method. Optionally, the method may comprise a step of receiving the tri-state signal from the MCU 2 (step not shown). Furthermore, the method comprises a step of measuring 68 with the power measurement unit 24 the electrical outlet power 20 drawn by personal electronic devices via the outlet units 6a, 6b. Subsequently, the method comprises the step of determining 70 the power control signal 22 based on a comparison of the measured electrical outlet power 20 with the power limit of the PMDD 4. Specifically, based on the tri-state signal, the control unit 18 of the PMDD 4 may either generate a power control signal 22 to switch some or all outlets units off. For the outlet units, which are not switched off on the basis of the tri-state signal, the control unit 18 determines a power control signal 22 based on a comparison of the measured outlet power 20 with the power limit of the PMDD 4. If the measured power outlet power 20 is larger than the power limit, the control unit 18 determines one of five discrete power limits for all of the outlet units which are not switched off. A further step is a step of sending 72 the power control signal 22 to all outlet units 6. Hereby, each outlet unit 6i may receive a specific power control signal 22i, or every outlet unit 6 may receive the same power control signal 22. The final step 72 is limiting the electrical outlet power 20 drawn by the PEDs in all outlet units 6 on the basis of the received power control signal 22.

[0042] For a specific embodiment, the PMDD 4 comprises a power limit of 100 W. When coupling two PEDs drawing 45 W each, the power limit of the PMDD 4 is not reached, as only 90 W are drawn. However, a third PED, also trying to draw 45 W from the PMDD 4 via its outlet unit 6, will increase the total drawn electrical outlet power 20 form the PMDD 4 to 135 W. The PMDD 4 measures said drawn electrical outlet power 20, compares this to its power limit of 100 W and determine a power control signal 22 for all of the outlet units 6, which ensures that the total power limit of 100 W of the PMDD 4 is not exceeded. Each of the outlet units 6 negotiates a new power contract with their coupled PED on the basis of the power control signal 22 provided to said outlet unit. For instance, the power control signal 22 may indicate a maximum power for each outlet unit of 27 W. Therefore, each of the outlet units 6 will negotiate a new power contract with its PEDs to ensure that the entire outlet unit does not draw more than 27 W of power.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0043] 1 power management and distribution system [0044] 2 master control unit [0045] 3 primary power source [0046] 4, 4a-4d power management and distribution device [0047] 6, 6a, 6b outlet unit [0048] 8 (AC) primary electrical power [0049] 10 (AC) electrical supply power [0050] 12, 12i first interface [0051] 14 second interface [0052] 16 third interface [0053] 17 fourth interface [0054] 18 control unit [0055] 19 non-volatile memory [0056] 20 (DC) electrical outlet power [0057] 22 power control signal [0058] 24 power measurement unit [0059] 26 (DC/DC) converter [0060] 28 power factor correction unit [0061] 29 (AC/DC) converter [0062] 30 input filter [0063] 32 tri-state signal [0064] 34 (daisy chain) connector [0065] 36 input plug (of outlet unit) [0066] 38 lightning and ESD protection unit [0067] 40 5-state logic unit [0068] 42 filter unit [0069] 44 (DC/DC) converter [0070] 46 control unit (of outlet unit) [0071] 48 power delivery unit [0072] 50 (DC/DC) converter unit [0073] 50 transistor (for USB-C outlet) [0074] 54 filter/lightning and ESD protection (for USB-C outlet) [0075] 56 output plug for USB-C [0076] 58 (DC/DC) converter [0077] 60 transistor (for USB-A outlet) [0078] 62 filter/lightning and ESD protection (for USB-A outlet) [0079] 64 charging port controller [0080] 66 outlet plug for USB-A [0081] 68 (step of) measuring outlet power by outlet units [0082] 70 (step of) comparing measured outlet power with power limit [0083] 72 (step of) sending power control signal to outlet units