US6320750B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sub-modular configurable avionics
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corp
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Filing: 1998-11-24
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Granted: 2001-11-20
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Expires: 2018-11-24
Abstract
Abstract A line replaceable module (LRM) configured with a plurality of mini-modules, each of which have relatively higher contact densities than currently available LRMs with the same form factor, for example, a Standard Electrical Module-Size E (SEM-E) form factor. The mini-modules are significantly less expensive than an entire module allowing such mini-modules to be disposable, eliminating relatively costly fault diagnostics and repair. Each mini-module includes a printed circuit board which includes a rigid primary portion, a rigid secondary portion and flexible portion interconnecting the primary and secondary portions. The rigid secondary portion may be configured to provide dual-sided interconnection to a backplane data bus. Use of the dual-sided rigid secondary portion provides for generous spacing for contact densities much higher than known contact densities for LRMs with the same form factor. The rigid primary portion carries the components forming the LRM. The use of the flexible portion provides compensation for tolerance variations as well as vibrational and thermal stress relative to connector systems used on known SEM-E LRMs.
Inventors
- 👤 Barton G. Shaler
- 👤 Donald A. Porter
- 👤 Milton F. Damerow
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 22:56
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05K; H05K7/00; H05K7/14; H05K7/1401; H05K7/1402; H05K7/1409; H01; H01R; H01R12/00; H01R12/70; H01R12/71; H01R12/72; H01R12/721; H05K1/00; H05K1/02; H05K1/11; H05K1/117; H05K1/18; H05K1/189; H01R13/00; H01R13/648; H01R13/658; H05K1/14; H05K1/144; H05K2201/00; H05K2201/20; H05K2201/2009; H05K3/00; H05K3/0058; H05K3/46; H05K3/4688; H05K3/4691
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
A line replacement module (LRM) for carrying a plurality of electronic components aboard an aircraft, the LRM adapted to be interconnected to a plurality of backplane contacts forming a serial data bus, the LRM comprising: a plurality of mini-modules, each mini-module including: a rigid primary printed circuit board (PCB) for carrying an electronic circuit; a rigid secondary PCB formed with dual sided contacts; a flexible interconnection portion, said flexible interconnecting portion configured to provide continuous electrical contact between secondary PCB and said electronic circuit; and a carrier for carrying said plurality of mini-modules forming an LRM, said LRM configured to have a predetermined form factor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
105 words
A line replacement module (LRM) for carrying a plurality of electronic components aboard an aircraft, the LRM adapted to be interconnected to a plurality of backplane contacts forming a serial data bus, the LRM comprising: a plurality of mini-modules, each mini-module including: a rigid primary printed circuit board (PCB) for carrying an electronic circuit; a rigid secondary PCB formed with dual sided contacts; a flexible interconnection portion, said flexible interconnecting portion configured to provide continuous electrical contact between secondary PCB and said electronic circuit; and a carrier for carrying said plurality of mini-modules forming an LRM, said LRM configured to have a predetermined form factor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The connector system as recited in claim 1 , wherein each of said secondary portions is provided with a plurality of contact pads for enabling said backplane contacts to be soldered thereto.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The connector system as recited in claim 1 , wherein said secondary portions are disposed adjacent one end of said primary portions and generally parallel thereto.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The connector system as recited in claim 3 , wherein said secondary portions are offset from said primary portions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The connector system as recited in claim 4 , wherein said flexible interconnecting portions are flexible and formed with an offset to enable interconnection between said rigid primary portions and said rigid secondary portions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
122 words
A mini-module for a line replacement module (LRM) for an aircraft, the mini-module comprising: a rigid primary printed circuit board (PCB) for carrying predetermined circuitry adapted to be connected to a predetermined data bus; a rigid secondary PCB provided with a plurality of electrical contacts, configured for dual-sided connection to a plurality of contacts forming a data bus; and a flexible interconnecting portion electrically interconnected between said rigid secondary PCB and said rigid primary PCB, said interconnecting portion configured to provide a continuous electrical circuit between said predetermined circuitry on said rigid primary PCB and said rigid secondary PCB, said rigid primary PCB, rigid secondary PCB and said interconnecting portion configured to be received in a carrier having a predetermined form factor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
122 words
A mini-module for a line replacement module (LRM) for an aircraft, the mini-module comprising: a rigid primary printed circuit board (PCB) for carrying predetermined circuitry adapted to be connected to a predetermined data bus; a rigid secondary PCB provided with a plurality of electrical contacts, configured for dual-sided connection to a plurality of contacts forming a data bus; and a flexible interconnecting portion electrically interconnected between said rigid secondary PCB and said rigid primary PCB, said interconnecting portion configured to provide a continuous electrical circuit between said predetermined circuitry on said rigid primary PCB and said rigid secondary PCB, said rigid primary PCB, rigid secondary PCB and said interconnecting portion configured to be received in a carrier having a predetermined form factor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The LRM as recited in claim 6 , wherein said primary PCB portion is rigid.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The LRM as recited in claim 7 , wherein said secondary PCB portion is formed to be generally parallel to said primary PCB portion but offset therefrom.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The LRM as recited in claim 8 , wherein said secondary PCB portion is rigid.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The LRM as recited in claim 9 , wherein said interconnecting portion is flexible.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The LRM as recited in claim 1 , wherein said plurality is two.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The LRM as recited in claim 1 , wherein said plurality is four.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-11-19 | 2005-05-21 | 2005-11-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-11-19 | 2009-05-21 | 2009-11-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-11-19 | 2013-05-21 | 2013-11-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |