# US 9,438,043 B2 · Airplane cabin environment management

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- Number: US 9,438,043 B2
- Document ID: US9438043B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/760,777
- Filed: 2013-02-06
- Published: 2014-08-07
- Granted: 2016-09-06
- Earliest claimed: 2013-02-06
- Assignees: Astronics Advanced Electronic Systems Corp.
- Applicants: Astronics Advanced Electronic Systems Corp.
- Inventors: Jeffrey Jouper; John S. Lamb
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9438043B2

## CPC

- H02J 3/007: Arrangements for selectively connecting one or more loads to one or more power sources or power lines
- H02J 3/0012: characterised by the contingency detection means in AC networks, e.g. using phasor measurement units [PMU], synchrophasors or contingency analysis
- H02J 4/00: Circuit arrangements for mains or distribution networks not specified as AC or DC; Circuit arrangements for mains or distribution networks combining AC and DC sections or sub-networks (arrangements using intermediate DC-AC-DC conversion H02J1/002; arrangements using high-voltage DC [HVDC] links H02J3/36)
- H02J 3/388: Arrangements for the handling of islanding, e.g. for disconnection or for avoiding the disconnection of power
- H02J 2105/32: {for aircrafts}
- Y04S 10/52: Outage or fault management, e.g. fault detection or location
- H02J: ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
- Y04S: SYSTEMS INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO POWER NETWORK OPERATION, COMMUNICATION OR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES FOR IMPROVING THE ELECTRICAL POWER GENERATION, TRANSMISSION, DISTRIBUTION, MANAGEMENT OR USAGE, i.e. SMART GRIDS

## Abstract

A system has a power source connected to power access points and at least one environmental control system. A threshold compare device is effective to compare the proportional load on the environmental control systems to a preset threshold. If the threshold is exceeded, unused power access points are disabled. This prevents such access points from placing additional loads on the environmental control systems. Conversely, when the proportional load on the environmental control systems drops below a preset threshold, power can be restored to the disabled power access points. A master control unit can monitor the load on the environmental control systems and either or both the environmental conditions in environment zones or the power loading of the power access points and determine whether to disable unused power outlets.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A system, comprising:
a power source;
a plurality of power access points and at least one environmental control system both connected to said power source;
wherein the environmental control system is configured to control temperature;
a threshold compare device effective to compare a proportional load on said environmental control system to a preset threshold and create a disable signal if said proportional load exceeds said preset threshold; and
a sub-system effective to disable ones of said plurality of power access points not in use in response to said disable signal.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein said threshold compare device is effective to create an enable signal if said proportional load drops below said preset threshold; and
said sub-system is effective to enable said disabled power access points in response to said enable signal.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 wherein said power source is a generator driven by an aircraft engine.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 wherein said at least one environmental control system is two environmental control systems.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 wherein said power access points are consumer electrical outlets.

### Claim 6

A method to manage the load on one or more environmental control systems, comprising the steps of:
providing power from a power source to a plurality of power access points and to at least one of said environmental control systems;
wherein the environmental control systems are configured to control temperature;
comparing a proportional load on said environmental control system to a preset threshold; and
disabling ones of said plurality of power access points not in use if said proportional load exceeds said preset threshold.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The method of claim 6 wherein the step of providing power from a power source is accomplished using a generator driven by an aircraft engine.

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

The method of claim 6 wherein said power access points are consumer electrical outlets.

### Claim 9

A load distribution and management system (LDMS), comprising:
a power source;
a plurality of power access points connected to said power source;
at least one environmental control system connected to said power source that is under a proportional load and configured to control temperature;
a device effective to take an environmental condition measurement of at least one environmental condition of an environment;
said environmental condition measurement having a corresponding preset threshold;
a master control unit capable of monitoring statuses including said environmental condition measurement and comparing said status to its said corresponding preset threshold and creating a disable signal if said compared status is equal to or exceeds its said corresponding preset threshold; and
a sub-system effective to disable said ones of said plurality of power access points not in use in response to said disable signal.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The LDMS of claim 9 wherein said environment is a substantially enclosed environment.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The LDMS of claim 10 wherein said substantially enclosed environment-contains at least two zones and said environmental conditions are the temperatures of said zones.

### Claim 12 (depends on 9)

The LDMS of claim 9 wherein said at least one environmental control system is two environmental control systems.

### Claim 13

A method to manage a load distribution, comprising the steps of:
providing power from a power source to a plurality of power access points and to at least one environmental control system under a proportional load and configured to control temperature;
measuring using a sensor at least one environmental condition of an environment;
monitoring statuses of said proportional load and said environmental condition;
comparing at least one said monitored status to a corresponding preset threshold; and
disabling ones of said plurality of power access points not in use if said monitored status is equal to or exceeds said corresponding preset threshold.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The method of claim 13 wherein said environment is a substantially enclosed environment having at least one zone and said environmental conditions are the temperatures of said zones.

### Claim 15 (depends on 13)

The method of claim 13 wherein the step of providing power is accomplished using a generator driven by an aircraft engine.

### Claim 16 (depends on 13)

The method of claim 13 wherein said power access points are consumer electrical outlets.