Connectorless power supply for an aircraft-passenger entertainment system

The authors consider an entertainment system that places small video entertainment sets at every seat for use by each passenger. Each set in the system must be provided with audio and video programming and the electrical power necessary to operate the set. Distribution of programming and power to the sets with a connector for each set would cause reliability and maintenance problems and hinder timely cabin reconfiguration. The entertainment sets can receive audio and video signals through radio-frequency transmission, but distributing power to the sets without using connectors requires a novel approach. The analysis, design, and construction of a prototype connectorless power supply that inductively couples power to the entertainment sets across an air gap is described. An equivalent-circuit model of the supply is developed, and laboratory measurements performed on the prototype are discussed. The prototype unit is shown to be a practical implementation that meets all design requirements. >