IP Library Granted Patent US 9,496,666
Granted Patent B2
US 9,496,666 · App. 14/593,108 · Granted Nov 15, 2016

Aircraft power and data distribution system and methods of performing the same

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,496,666
App. No.
14/593,108
Granted
Nov 15, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

A electrical distribution unit comprising a housing, a securing unit connected to the housing and to a seat track in an aircraft, at least one outlet unit on the housing, an electronic connection unit in the housing that is connected to a power distribution system, and where the outlet unit is electronically connected to the electronic distribution unit to provide power to a device connected to the at least one outlet unit.

Claims (30)

1. A electrical distribution unit comprising:

a housing;

a securing unit including connecting extensions connected to a seat track and a bar parallel to the seat track that is connected to the housing;

at least one outlet unit on the housing; and

an electronic connection unit in the housing that is connected to a power distribution system;

wherein the outlet unit is electronically connected to the electronic distribution unit to provide power to a device connected to the at least one outlet unit.

2. The electrical distribution unit of claim 1 wherein each outlet unit is removably attached to the housing.

3. The electrical distribution unit of claim 2 wherein at least one outlet unit is attached to a surface of the housing facing the tail of the aircraft.

4. The electrical distribution unit of claim 2 wherein at least one outlet unit is attached to a surface of the housing facing the nose of the aircraft when installed.

5. The electrical distribution unit of claim 2 wherein at least one outlet unit is attached to a surface of the housing facing the nose of the aircraft when installed.

6. The electrical distribution unit of claim 5 including a lighting unit positioned on a top portion of the front surface of the housing above the outlet units.

7. The electrical distribution unit of claim 1 wherein at least one outlet unit includes a Universal Serial Bus Connection.

8. The electrical distribution unit of claim 1 wherein the securing unit is not in contact with the aircraft seat.

9. The electrical distribution unit of claim 1 wherein each outlet unit includes a data connection.

10. The electrical distribution unit of claim 1 wherein the housing unit is removably affixed to the securing unit.

11. A method of providing electrical power to passengers on an aircraft that includes the steps of:

providing an electronic connection unit in an internal cavity of a housing;

connecting the electronic connection unit to a power distribution system;

affixing at least one outlet unit to at least one surface of the housing providing a securing unit which includes a bar that is parallel to a seat track, and affixing the housing to the bar;

affixing connecting extensions on the securing unit to the seat track; and

providing power from the power distribution system to a device connected to the at least one outlet unit.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein each outlet unit is removably attached to the housing.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein at least one outlet unit is attached to a surface of the housing facing the tail of the aircraft.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein at least one outlet unit is attached to a surface of the housing facing the nose of the aircraft when installed.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein at least one outlet unit is attached to a surface of the housing facing the nose of the aircraft when installed.

16. The method of claim 15 including a lighting unit positioned on a top portion of the front surface of the housing above the outlet units.

17. The method of claim 11 wherein at least one outlet unit includes a Universal Serial Bus Connection.

18. The method of claim 11 wherein the securing unit is not in contact with the aircraft seat.

19. The method of claim 11 wherein each outlet unit includes a data connection.

20. The method of claim 11 wherein the housing unit is removably affixed to the securing unit.

Assignments (9)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 13, 2025
From: ASTRONICS CORPORATION; ASTRONICS ADVANCED ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS CORP.; ASTRONICS TEST SYSTEMS INC.; ASTRONICS AEROSAT CORPORATION; ASTRONICS CONNECTIVITY SYSTEMS & CERTIFICATION CORP.; PECO, INC.; DIAGNOSYS INC.
To: HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 073580/0550 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 23, 2025
From: HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS AGENT
To: ASTRONICS CONNECTIVITY SYSTEMS & CERTIFICATION CORP.; ASTRONICS AEROSAT CORPORATION; ASTRONICS CORPORATION; PECO, INC.; ASTRONICS ADVANCED ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS CORP.; ASTRONICS TEST SYSTEMS INC.; DIAGNOSYS INC.; LUMINESCENT SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 073227/0325 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 4, 2024
From: HSBC BANK USA, N.A., AS AGENT
To: ASTRONICS CORPORATION; ASTRONICS ADVANCED ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS CORP.; ASTRONICS AEROSAT CORPORATION; ASTRONICS TEST SYSTEMS INC.; LUMINESCENT SYSTEMS, INC.; ASTRONICS CONNECTIVITY SYSTEMS & CERTIFICATION CORP.; PECO, INC.; DIAGNOSYS INC.
Reel/Frame 069491/0184 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 12, 2024
From: GREAT ROCK CAPITAL PARTNERS MANAGEMENT, LLC
To: PECO, INC.; ASTRONICS AEROSAT CORPORATION; ASTRONICS CONNECTIVITY SYSTEMS & CERTIFICATION CORP.; ASTRONICS ADVANCED ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS CORP.; ASTRONICS CORPORATION; ASTRONICS TEST SYSTEMS INC.; DIAGNOSYS INC.; LUMINESCENT SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 068311/0747 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 11, 2024
From: ASTRONICS CORPORATION; ASTRONICS ADVANCED ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS CORP.; ASTRONICS AEROSAT CORPORATION; ASTRONIC TEST SYSTEMS INC.; LUMINESCENT SYTEMS, INC.; ASTRONICS CONNECTIVITY SYSTEMS & CERTIFICATION CORP.; PECO, INC.; DIAGNOSYS INC.
To: HSBC BANK USA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 068283/0900 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 20, 2023
From: ASTRONICS CUSTOM CONTROL CONCEPTS INC.; ASTRONICS DME LLC; ASTRONICS CORPORATION; LUMINESCENT SYSTEMS, INC.; ASTRONICS TEST SYSTEMS INC.; ASTRONICS ADVANCED ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS CORP.; ASTRONICS CONNECTIVITY SYSTEMS & CERTIFICATION CORP.; ASTRONICS AEROSAT CORPORATION; PECO, INC.; DIAGNOSYS INC.
To: GREAT ROCK CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC
Reel/Frame 062444/0836 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 20, 2023
From: ASTRONICS AEROSTAT CORPORATION; ASTRONICS CONNECTIVITY SYSTEMS & CERTIFICATION CORP.; ASTRONICS CORPORATION; PECO, INC.; ASTRONICS ADVANCED ELECTRONICS SYSTEMS CORP.; ASTRONICS TEST SYSTEMS INC.; DIAGNOSYS INC.; LUMINESCENT SYSTEMS, INC.
To: HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 062445/0342 →
MERGER Recorded Jan 10, 2023
From: ARMSTRONG AEROSPACE, INC.
To: ASTRONICS CONNECTIVITY SYSTEMS & CERTIFICATION CORP.
Reel/Frame 062330/0638 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 9, 2015
From: ABBINANTE, ROB
To: ARMSTRONG AEROSPACE
Reel/Frame 034751/0090 →