Charge dissipation plate

Abstract

A charge dissipation plate for aircraft electronic systems having a metal plate with machined through openings. A collar is integrally formed with each through opening. The collar extends upwardly from the plane of the plate and includes a threaded outer surface for receiving an electronic connector.

Claims

1. A charge dissipation plate for aircraft electronic systems comprising a machined metal plate having a plurality of through openings machined therein and an integrally formed collar associated with and extending around each opening, each collar upstanding from the plane of the plate, and having a threaded outer surface, each collar forming a housing for receiving an electronic connector therein, the threaded outer surface, in use, being engageable by a mating threaded connector for connecting with the electronic connector mounted in the collar.

2. The charge dissipation plate according to claim 1, wherein the plate is one of machined from solid material and cast/forged before being subjected to a machining finishing operation.

3. The charge dissipation plate according to claim 1, wherein each collar includes integral keying means which, in use, cooperates with complementary keying means provided on a male connector engageable with the collar so as to ensure correct alignment of connectors.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In order that the invention may be well understood, there will now be described an embodiment thereof, given by way of example, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIGS. 1a and 1b are front and rear perspective views of a charge dissipation plate assembly according to the prior art;

(3) FIG. 2 is a front view of a charge dissipation plate according to the present invention;

(4) FIG. 3 is an end view of the dissipation plate of FIG. 2;

(5) FIG. 4 is a rear view of the dissipater plate of FIG. 2;

(6) FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the dissipater plate of FIG. 2; and

(7) FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the dissipater plate of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(8) Referring first to FIG. 3, there is shown a top view of a dissipation plate 1 according to the present invention. The plate 1 has 3 openings 2a, 2b, 2c formed in it, and each opening 2a, 2b, 2c has an associated collar 3a, 3b, 3c surrounding it and upstanding from the upper surface of the plate 1 as shown in FIG. 3. The collars 3a, 3b, 3c are integrally formed with the plate 1 so the entire assembly is of unity construction.

(9) AS best shown in FIG. 3, the outer surface 4a, 4b, 4c, of each collar 3a, 3b, 3c is threaded so as to enable a mating connector (not shown) to be secured to the collar, the mating connector being formed of metal so as to electrically connect the mating connector to the collar and hence the plate and thereby enable any unwanted charge on the connector to be conducted to and dissipated in the plate 1.

(10) The inner surface 5a, 5b, 5c of each collar 3a, 3b, 3c also includes longitudinal splines 6 which act as alignment keys to prevent the mating connectors being engaged with the collars in the incorrect orientation, which might result in incorrect connection of electronic components. The splines 6 are also integrally formed with the plate 1 in a machining operation.

(11) Although the illustrated embodiment has three openings and three associated collars, it will be understood that the number of openings and associated collars is not important to the invention.