The present disclosure relates to the field of electrical power
systems and protecting equipment. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a fast, compact, reliable, and efficient in-line multichannel smart circuit breaker for protecting multiple components of aircraft, automobiles, ships, and other platforms from various fault conditions, and which does not require separate panels for the accommodation of circuit breakers and can go in-line with the wirings/cables, and also provides real-time monitoring and centralized control.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in
understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the
information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed
invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] Automation and operation control units of automobiles, aircraft,
ships, and other platforms, involve various electronic devices/systems to perform and control different operations. Electrical power for these electronic devices or systems may be provided by a power system, which may include many components including generators along with various power distribution and conversion systems to supply the desired level of electrical power to these electronic devices and systems. It is desirable to protect all the components of the power system as well as the electronic devices and systems, specifically for aircraft, as any undesirable fault condition such as arcing, short-circuiting, over-current, over-heating, and the likes while flying, may result in failure of the components of the power system, and the electronic devices and systems that may be very serious and may also lead to fatal accidents.
[0004] Circuit breakers are being employed in these platforms to protect
or minimize the damage of each component of the power system and the electronic devices from fault conditions in the event of a wiring failure, overcurrent, or serious malfunction. Traditionally the circuit breakers being used are an electro-mechanical type or thermal breaker, until recently where it has

become solid-state but is still rare. The traditional circuit breakers involve various hardware components and moving parts, which makes them complex, heavy, and prone to failure and maintenance.
[0005] Aircraft use several hundred thousand such circuit breakers, almost
one-per each electrical load or the electronic device so that the faulty component or load can be safely separated or at least electrically isolated without damaging other circuits or components of the aircraft. The use of a very large number of circuit breakers occupies a lot of space and adds to the overall weight of the aircraft, thereby making the aircraft less efficient in terms of endurance. Even after the complete replacement of these electro-mechanical circuit breakers with solid-state circuit breakers in near future may reduce some weight of the aircraft, still, a large number of solid-state circuit breakers will add to space and some weight. Besides, each of these circuit breakers requires a separate panel or rack for accommodating them in the cockpit and exposing them to enable visual inspection and maintenance, which again adds to space and weight.
[0006] Some technologies available in the art provide a multi-channel
circuit breaker in form of cards or large devices that can connect multiple loads through one card, however, the existing multi-channel circuit breakers are still bulky and requires panels or racks to be accommodated. Besides, all the power cables are required to be connected to the circuit breaker panel and then routed to the loads, thereby increasing the cable length and weight.
[0007] In addition, the fault detection time and response time of the circuit
breakers available in the art are in milliseconds, and may not fully protect
sensitive loads, Further, these circuit breakers (except a few) do not provide
provision for real-time monitoring of data pertaining to the electrical parameters
associated with the loads, and thus they are required to be measured manually,
which is a time-consuming task and may lead to distraction to pilots while flying.
[0008] There is, therefore, a need to miniaturize the existing solid-state
circuit breakers and provide a fast, compact, reliable, and efficient in-line multichannel smart circuit breaker for protecting multiple components of aircraft, automobiles, ships, and other platforms from various fault conditions, and which

does not require separate panels for accommodation and can go in-line with the wirings/cables, and also provides real-time monitoring and centralized control.
OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0009] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one
embodiment herein satisfy are as listed hereinbelow.
[0010] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an in-line smart
circuit breaker, which is fast, compact, and effective.
[0011] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an in-line smart
circuit breaker, which is in-line with the wiring.
[0012] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an in-line smart
circuit breaker, which is cost-effective as it does not require separate panels.
[0013] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an in-line smart
circuit breaker, which provides real-time monitoring and centralized control of the
loads.
[0014] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an in-line smart
circuit breaker, which is simple and easy to use.
[0015] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an in-line smart
circuit breaker, which requires less maintenance cost.
SUMMARY
[0016] The present disclosure relates to the field of electrical power
systems and protecting equipment. More particularly, the present disclosure
relates to a fast, compact, reliable, and efficient in-line multichannel smart circuit
breaker for protecting multiple components of aircraft, automobiles, ships, and
other platforms from various fault conditions, and which does not require separate
panels for the accommodation of circuit breakers and can go in-line with the
wirings/cables, and also provides real-time monitoring and centralized control.
[0017] An aspect of the present disclosure pertains to an in-line smart
circuit breaker (ILSCB). The ILSCB includes a plurality of semi-circular enclosures comprising a first set of semi-circular enclosures and a second set of

semi-circular enclosures, configured with a PCB unit. The first set of semi¬circular enclosures and the second set of semi-circular enclosures are configured on two opposite surfaces of the PCB unit to form a cylindrical configuration of the plurality of semi-circular enclosures. Each of the plurality of semi-circular enclosures comprises a channel therewithin. A plurality of programmable circuit breakers configured within each of a plurality of power channels associated with each of the plurality of semi-circular enclosures. A first electrical connector configured at a first end of the ILSCB, and adapted to couple the ILSCB to a first harness cable associated with a power supply and control unit of an aircraft. The first harness cable comprises one or more first power lines, and one or more first network lines. A second electrical connector configured on a second end of the ILSCB, and adapted to couple the ILSCB to a second harness cable associated with one or more loads of the aircraft. The second cable comprises one or more second power lines, and one or more second network lines. The PCB unit is configured to operatively couple a first terminal of each of the plurality of programmable circuit breakers to any one of the one or more first power lines, and the one or more first network lines, and a second terminal of each of the plurality of programmable circuit breakers to a corresponding second power line and second network line, such that the ILSCB is configured between the power supply and control unit, and the one or more loads of the aircraft. A first set of the plurality of programmable circuit breakers operatively couples the one or more first power lines to the one or more second power line, and a second set of the plurality of programmable circuit breakers operatively couples the one or more first network line and the one or more second network line.
[0018] In an aspect, the PCB unit may comprise a first PCB member and a
second PCB member positioned parallelly to one another such that a second surface of the first PCB member and a first surface of the second PCB member faces each other and are separated by a predefined distance therebetween, and wherein the first set of semi-circular enclosures are configured perpendicularly at predefined positions on a first surface of the first PCB member, and the second set of semi-circular enclosures are configured perpendicularly at predefined positions

on a second surface of the second PCB member, thereby forming the cylindrical
enclosure.
[0019] In an aspect, a controller may be operatively coupled to the ILSCB,
which is configured to monitor, configure, and control each of the plurality of
circuit breakers.
[0020] In an aspect, the controller may be in communication with a central
processing unit of the aircraft through a network system to remotely monitor,
configure, and control each of the plurality of programmable circuit breakers.
[0021] In an aspect, the controller may be configured to communicatively
couple one or more ILSCBs to the central processing unit through the network
system to remotely monitor, configure, and control each of ILSCBs and the
corresponding circuit breakers.
[0022] In an aspect, each of the plurality of programmable circuit breakers
may be solid-state technology-based circuit breakers that are adapted to operate as
any or a combination of a circuit breaker, relay, switch, fuse, and contactor. The
circuit breakers are configured to provide one or more protections to the one or
more load lines associated with one or more electrical loads, wherein the one or
more protections comprise I2t protection, over current protection, over-voltage
protection, over-temperature protection. The circuit breaker is configured to
provide a detection and response time of 1 microsecond to overcurrent fault in the
one or more loads. Further, for sensitive loads, the circuit breaker is configured to
provide a detection and response time of 300 nanoseconds.
[0023] In an aspect, the plurality of programmable circuit breakers may
also be configured to monitor one or more electrical parameters associated with
the electrical power flowing from the corresponding power line and the electrical
load-lines associated with the one or more electrical loads. The one or more
electrical parameters include input voltage, output voltage, load current, and
temperature, but are not limited to the likes.
[0024] In an aspect, the ILSCB may comprise one or more indicators
configured with lights to indicate operating state of the plurality of programmable
circuit breakers and the ILSCB, and also indicate status of the one or more faults.

[0025] In an aspect, the controller may be configured to provide a built-in
test feature, to test each of the plurality of programmable circuit breakers.
[0026] In an aspect, the ILSCB may be configured to operate and
configured in-line to a harness bundle of an aircraft such that a first cable of the
harness bundle is electrically coupled to a DC Bus of power supply system of an
aircraft, and a second cable of the harness bundle is electrically coupled to one or
more load lines connected to one or more electrical loads of the aircraft.
[0027] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive
subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0028] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further
understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure. The diagrams are for illustration only, which thus is not a limitation of the present disclosure.
[0029] In the figures, similar components and/or features may have the
same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label with a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If only the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label.
[0030] FIG. 1A illustrates an exemplary front view of the proposed in-line
multichannel smart circuit breaker having multiple programmable circuit breakers being efficiently accommodated therewithin, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] FIG. IB illustrates an exemplary isometric view of the proposed
in-line multichannel smart circuit breaker, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0032] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of the proposed in-
line multichannel smart circuit breaker being configured between a power and control unit, and one or more loads of a platform or system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0033] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary representation of multiple proposed
in-line multichannel smart circuit breakers being configured in an aircraft, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0034] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary view of multiple programmable
circuit breakers of the proposed smart circuit breaker being operatively connected to a network through a master controller, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0035] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the
disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0036] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth
in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the present
invention. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the
present invention may be practiced without some of these specific details.
[0037] The present disclosure relates to the field of electrical power
systems and protecting equipment. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a fast, compact, reliable, and efficient in-line multichannel smart circuit breaker for protecting multiple components of aircraft, automobiles, ships, and

other platforms from various fault conditions, and which does not require separate
panels for the accommodation of circuit breakers and can go in-line with the
wirings/cables, and also provides real-time monitoring and centralized control.
[0038] The present disclosure elaborates upon an in-line smart circuit
breaker (ILSCB). The ILSCB includes a plurality of semi-circular enclosures comprising a first set of semi-circular enclosures and a second set of semi-circular enclosures, configured with a PCB unit. The first set of semi-circular enclosures and the second set of semi-circular enclosures are configured on two opposite surfaces of the PCB unit to form a cylindrical configuration of the plurality of semi-circular enclosures. Each of the plurality of semi-circular enclosures comprises a channel therewithin. A plurality of programmable circuit breakers configured within each of a plurality of power channels associated with each of the plurality of semi-circular enclosures. A first electrical connector configured at a first end of the ILSCB, and adapted to couple the ILSCB to a first harness cable associated with a power supply and control unit of an aircraft. The first harness cable comprises one or more first power lines, and one or more first network lines. A second electrical connector configured on a second end of the ILSCB, and adapted to couple the ILSCB to a second harness cable associated with one or more loads of the aircraft. The second cable comprises one or more second power lines, and one or more second network lines. The PCB unit is configured to operatively couple a first terminal of each of the plurality of programmable circuit breakers to any one of the one or more first power lines, the one or more first network lines, and a second terminal of each of the plurality of programmable circuit breakers to a corresponding second power line and second network line, such that the ILSCB is configured between the power supply and control unit, and the one or more loads of the aircraft. A first set of the plurality of programmable circuit breakers operatively couples the one or more first power lines to the one or more second power line, and a second set of the plurality of programmable circuit breakers operatively couples the one or more first network line and the one or more second network line.

[0039] In an embodiment, the PCB unit can comprise a first PCB member
and a second PCB member positioned parallelly to one another such that a second surface of the first PCB member and a first surface of the second PCB member faces each other and are separated by a predefined distance therebetween, and wherein the first set of semi-circular enclosures are configured perpendicularly at predefined positions on a first surface of the first PCB member, and the second set of semi-circular enclosures are configured perpendicularly at predefined positions on a second surface of the second PCB member, thereby forming the cylindrical enclosure.
[0040] In an embodiment, a controller can be operatively coupled to the
ILSCB, which is configured to monitor, configure, and control each of the plurality of circuit breakers.
[0041] In an embodiment, the controller can be in communication with a
central processing unit of the aircraft through a network system to remotely monitor, configure, and control each of the plurality of programmable circuit breakers.
[0042] In an embodiment, the controller can be configured to
communicatively couple one or more ILSCBs to the central processing unit through the network system to remotely monitor, configure, and control each of ILSCBs and the corresponding circuit breakers.
[0043] In an embodiment, each of the plurality of programmable circuit
breakers can be solid-state technology-based circuit breakers that are adapted to operate as any or a combination of a circuit breaker, relay, switch, fuse, and contactor. The circuit breakers are configured to provide one or more protections to the one or more load lines associated with one or more electrical loads, wherein the one or more protections comprise I2t protection, over current protection, over-voltage protection, over-temperature protection. The circuit breaker is configured to provide a detection and response time of 1 microsecond to overcurrent fault in the one or more loads. Further, for sensitive loads, the circuit breaker is configured to provide a detection and response time of 300 nanoseconds.

[0044] In an embodiment, the plurality of programmable circuit breakers
can also be configured to monitor one or more electrical parameters associated with the electrical power flowing from the corresponding power line and the electrical load-lines associated with the one or more electrical loads. The one or more electrical parameters include input voltage, output voltage, load current, and temperature, but are not limited to the likes.
[0045] In an embodiment, the ILSCB can comprise one or more indicators
configured with lights to indicate operating state of the plurality of programmable
circuit breakers and the ILSCB, and also indicate status of the one or more faults.
[0046] In an embodiment, the controller can be configured to provide a
built-in test feature, to test each of the plurality of programmable circuit breakers.
[0047] In an embodiment, the ILSCB can be configured to operate and
configured in-line to a harness bundle of an aircraft such that a first cable of the
harness bundle is electrically coupled to a DC Bus of power supply system of an
aircraft, and a second cable of the harness bundle is electrically coupled to one or
more load lines connected to one or more electrical loads of the aircraft.
[0048] FIG. 1A illustrates an exemplary front view of the proposed in-line
multichannel smart circuit breaker having multiple programmable circuit breakers being efficiently accommodated therewithin, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0049] FIG. IB illustrates an exemplary isometric view of the proposed
in-line multichannel smart circuit breaker, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0050] As illustrated in FIG. 1A and IB, according to an aspect, a
proposed in-line smart circuit breaker 100 (also referred to as ILSCB 100, herein) can include 2 main boards 106-1 and 106-2, which can have 6 Channels in each board, 108-1 to 108-6 in 106-1 and 108-7 to 108-12 in 106-2. The 2 main boards can be housed inside a rectangular case.
Each of the PCB 106 can be adapted to accommodate six or more solid-state technology-based power channels to function as circuit breaker 108 and can be

efficiently accommodated in 106 PCB to form a single ILSCB 100 compact configuration.
[0051] In an embodiment, the PCB unit 106 can include a first PCB
member 106-1 and a second PCB member 106-2 positioned parallelly to one another such that a second surface of the first PCB member 106-1 and a first surface of the second PCB member 106-2 faces each other and are separated by a predefined distance therebetween. Forming compact and efficient rectangular configuration of multiple circuit breakers.
[0052] In an embodiment, the ILSCB 100 can include a first connector
102-1 configured at a first end of the ILSCB 100, and adapted to couple the
ILSCB 100 to a first harness cable (also referred to as first cable or first harness,
herein) associated with a power supply and control unit of one or more platforms
selected from aircraft, automobiles, ships, but not limited to the likes. The first
harness cable can include one or more first power lines (or wires), and one or
more first network lines, which are connected to the power supply and control unit
of the platforms (aircraft, and the likes). The ILSCB 100 can further include a
second connector 102-2 configured on a second end of the ILSCB 100 and
adapted to couple the ILSCB to a second harness cable (also referred to as second
cable or second harness, herein) associated with one or more loads of the platform
(aircraft). The second cable can include one or more second power lines, and one
or more second network lines, which are connected to the one or more loads.
[0053] In an exemplary embodiment, the programmable circuit breaker
used in the ILSCB 100 can include a first terminal, and a front power transistor comprising a drain connected in series with the first terminal, a gate, and a source. Further, a first gate driver can be connected to the gate of the front power transistor. The main switching transistor can be connected in series with the front power transistor. The main switching transistor can include a drain, said drain connected to the source of the front power transistor. The circuit breaker can include a first reverse current blocking transistor, comprising a drain, a source, and a gate. The first reverse current blocking transistor can be connected in series with and located between the front power transistor and the main switching

transistor. The gate of said first reverse current blocking transistor is connected to
the first gate driver. A second gate driver can be connected to the gate of the main
switching transistor, and a shunt resistor can be connected in series with the main
switching transistor. Further, the circuit breaker can include a second terminal in
series with the shunt resistor, and have a second reverse current blocking
transistor, comprising a drain, a source, and a gate. The second reverse current
blocking transistor can be connected in series with and located between the main
switching transistor and the shunt resistor. And the gate of the first reverse current
blocking transistor can be connected to the second gate driver.
[0054] The programmable circuit breaker can include a charge storage
capacitor connected between a ground and a junction, wherein the junction can be between the source of the second reverse current blocking transistor and the shunt resistor. Further, an inductor can be located between the source of the second reverse current blocking transistor and the charge storage capacitor. Furthermore, the circuit breaker can include an NPN transistor comprising a collector and an emitter. The collector can be connected to the gate of the front power transistor and the emitter connected to the second terminal of the circuit breakers via the shunt resistor and the inductor.
[0055] The power channels in the enclosures 108 can include a current
measurement element comprising a bidirectional shunt voltage amplifier, where the current measurement element can be connected in parallel with the shunt resistor. Further, the programmable circuit breaker (100) can include a processing unit that can be a high-speed microcontroller unit (MCU) comprising a high-speed A/D converter connected to the front power transistor, the main switching transistor, the first reverse current blocking transistor, and the second reverse current blocking transistor, to the charge storage capacitor, and to the voltage amplifier.
[0056] In an embodiment, the PCB unit 106 can be configured to
operatively couple the first terminal of each of the circuit breakers (being accommodated in the ILSCB) to any one of the first power lines, and the first network lines. Further, the PCB unit 106 can also be configured to operatively

couple the second terminal of each of the plurality of programmable circuit breakers to a corresponding second power line and second network line, such that the ILSCB is operatively configured between the power supply and control unit 202, and the one or more loads of the platform (such as aircraft). In an exemplary embodiment, a first set of the circuit breakers among the multiple circuit breakers can operatively couple each of the first power lines to the corresponding second power lines, and the second set of circuit breakers among the multiple circuit breakers can operatively couple each of the first network lines to the corresponding second network lines, such that the first set of the circuit breakers can control and monitor the supply of electrical power from the power and control unit 202 to the one or more loads, and the second set of the circuit breakers can control and monitor the transmission of control and communication signals between the power and control unit 202, and the one or more loads of the platform (aircraft).
[0057] In an embodiment, each of the programmable power channels are
adapted to operate as any or a combination of a circuit breaker, relay, switch, fuse,
and contactor. The programmable circuit breakers can be configured to provide
one or more protections to the one or more loads, power lines, and the power and
control unit of the platform. The one or more protections provided by the
programmable circuit breakers can include but are not limited to I2t protection,
over current protection, over-voltage protection, and over-temperature protection.
The programmable circuit breaker used in the proposed ILSCB can be configured
to provide fault detection and response time of 1 microsecond in case of an
overcurrent fault in one or more loads, thereby making the proposed ILSCB very
fast as well as reliable. Further, for sensitive loads, the circuit breaker can be
configured to provide a detection and response time of up to 300 nanoseconds.
[0058] The power channels can also be configured to monitor one or more
electrical parameters associated with the electrical power flowing from the corresponding power lines associated with the one or more loads. The one or more electrical parameters being monitored by the programmable circuit breakers can

include input voltage, output voltage, load current, and temperature, but not limited to the likes.
[0059] In an embodiment, the ILSCB 100 can include one or more
indicators configured with lights, being operatively coupled to each of the power
channels and programmable to indicate the operating state of the circuit breakers,
as well as the ILSCB 100, and also, indicate the status of the one or more faults.
[0060] In an embodiment, the power channels used can be configured to
operate in a temperature range of -40 to +71 degrees Celsius. In an exemplary
implementation, each of the programmable circuit breakers being configured in
each channel of the enclosures 108 can have a current range of 10
Ampere/channel and/or 12 Ampere/channel, but not limited to the likes. The
programmable circuit breakers can have an operating voltage range of 8-48 Volt.
[0061] It is to be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that, the
replacement of a large number of traditional bulky circuit breakers with a compact device (ILSCB 100) having miniaturized programmable solid-state technology-based circuit breakers in the present invention, and the non-requirement of panels or racks or power distribution boxes in the proposed ILSCB, allows the present invention to be configured in-line with the harness/cables of the platform, which significantly enhances the space utilization, reduces overall weight and cost of the aircraft or other platforms.
[0062] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of the proposed in-
line multichannel smart circuit breaker being configured between a power and control unit, and one or more loads of a platform or system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0063] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary representation of multiple proposed
in-line multichannel smart circuit breakers being configured in an aircraft, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0064] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary view of multiple programmable
circuit breakers of the proposed smart circuit breaker being operatively connected to a network through a master controller, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0065] As illustrated in FIG. 2-4, in an embodiment, a controller 204 can
be operatively coupled to the ILSCB 100, the one or more loads, and the power
and control unit 202 of the selected platform. The controller 204 can be
configured to monitor, configure, re-program, and control each of the power
channels associated with the ILSCB 100 based on the one or more loads, and the
power and control unit 202 of the platform. In an implementation, as illustrated in
FIG. 4, the controller 202 can be a part of the central processing, control, and
monitoring unit of the aircraft (or platforms), which can communicatively couple
ILSCBs 100 used in the aircraft to the central processing, control, and monitoring
unit through the network bus 304, and can allow users to re-configure or re-
program the individual ILSCB 100-1 to 100-N, and the corresponding
programmable circuit breakers. Controller 204 can also allow the users to
remotely monitor, and control the individual programmable circuit breakers, and
the ILSCB 100 from a multi-functional display (MFD) of the aircraft.
[0066] In an embodiment, a secured communication in the aircraft,
between the loads, the controller 204, and the proposed ILSCB 100, through the network bus 302, can be enabled using a communication module 302 selected from any or a combination of RS-422/485, CAN bus (lMbit-J1939), ARINC-429, Ethernet (LAN), but not limited to the likes.
[0067] The controller 204 in the ILSCB 100 can be programmed to
control each of the power channels 108-1 to 108-12 where the controller 204 serves as a communication and control hub, thereby providing an asymmetric communication or control of the power channels. This allows the users to re-configure or re-program the programmable power channels, as well as the whole ILSCB 100, using the controller 204.
[0068] In an embodiment, the ILSCB 100 can have an in-built testing
feature. The controller can be configured to test and monitor the health of each of
the power channels and the ILSCB 100. In an exemplary embodiment, controller
204 can perform a Power-On test and On-the-Fly test on the ILSCB 100.
[0069] As illustrated in FIG. 3, in an implementation, one or more
proposed ILSCB 100-1 to 100-N can be used in aircraft 300, which can replace a

larger number of individual circuit breakers as well as panels or rack for
accommodating these circuit breakers. The use of the proposed ILSCBs 100 can
significantly reduce the overall space consumed by a traditional circuit breaker
and the panels, thereby enhancing space utilization in the aircraft, as well as
reducing the overall weight and cost of the whole aircraft. The first connector
102-1 of each of the ILSCB 100-1 to 100-N can be electrically coupled to a DC
bus 302 of the aircraft 300 using the first power lines of the harness cables, and a
second connector 102-2 of the each of the ILSCB 100-1 to 100-N can be
electrically coupled to multiple individual loads of the aircraft 300 using the
second power lines of the harness cables, thereby enabling controlled, reliable and
safe supply of electrical power from the DC bus 302 of the aircraft 300 to the
individual loads. Similarly, the first connector of each of the ILSCB 100-1 to 100-
N can be operatively coupled to a network bus 304 of the aircraft 300 using the
first network lines of the harness cables, and a second connector of the each of the
ILSCB 100-1 to 100-N can be operatively coupled to multiple individual loads of
the aircraft 300 using the second network lines of the harness cables, thereby
enabling secure and controlled transmission of control and communication signals
from the network bus of the aircraft to the individual loads.
[0070] Thus, the present disclosure provides a fast, compact, reliable, and
efficient in-line multichannel smart circuit breaker (ILSCB) for protecting multiple components of aircraft, automobiles, ships, and other platforms from various fault conditions, and which does not require separate panels for accommodation and can go in-line with the wirings/cables, and also provides real¬time monitoring and centralized control
[0071] Moreover, in interpreting the specification, all terms should be
interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refer to at least one of something

selected from the group consisting of A, B, C ....and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.
[0072] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the
invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions, or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.
ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
[0073] The proposed invention provides an in-line smart circuit breaker,
which is fast, compact, and effective.
[0074] The proposed invention provides an in-line smart circuit breaker,
which is in-line with the wiring.
[0075] The proposed invention provides an in-line smart circuit breaker,
which is cost-effective as it does not require separate panels.
[0076] The proposed invention provides an in-line smart circuit breaker,
which provides real-time monitoring and centralized control of the loads.
[0077] The proposed invention provides an in-line smart circuit breaker,
which is simple and easy to use.
[0078] The proposed invention provides an in-line smart circuit breaker,
which requires less maintenance cost.

We Claim:

1. An in-line smart circuit breaker (ILSCB) comprising:
a plurality of semi-circular enclosures comprising a first set of semi-circular enclosures and a second set of semi-circular enclosures, configured with a PCB unit, wherein the first set of semi-circular enclosures and the second set of semi-circular enclosures are configured on two opposite surfaces of the PCB unit to form a cylindrical configuration of the plurality of semi-circular enclosures, and wherein each of the plurality of semi-circular enclosures comprises a power channel therewithin;
a plurality of programmable circuit breakers configured within each of the power channels associated with each of the plurality of semi¬circular enclosures;
a first electrical connector configured at a first end of the ILSCB, and adapted to couple the ILSCB to a first harness cable associated with a power supply and control unit of an aircraft, wherein the first harness cable comprises one or more first power lines, and one or more first network lines; and
a second electrical connector configured on a second end of the ILSCB, and adapted to couple the ILSCB to a second harness cable associated with one or more loads of the aircraft, wherein the second cable comprises one or more second power lines, and one or more second network lines;
wherein the PCB unit is configured to operatively couple a first terminal of each of the plurality of programmable circuit breakers to any one of the one or more first power lines, and the one or more first network lines, and a second terminal of each of the plurality of programmable circuit breakers to a corresponding second power line and second network line, such that the ILSCB is configured between the power supply and control unit, and the one

or more loads of the aircraft, and wherein a first set of the plurality of programmable circuit breakers operatively couples the one or more first power lines to the one or more second power line, and a second set of the plurality of programmable circuit breakers operatively couples the one or more first network line and the one or more second network line.
2. The ILSCB as claimed in claim 1, wherein the PCB unit comprises a first PCB member and a second PCB member positioned parallelly to one another such that a second surface of the first PCB member and a first surface of the second PCB member faces each other and are separated by a predefined distance therebetween, and wherein the first set of semi¬circular enclosures are configured perpendicularly at predefined positions on a first surface of the first PCB member, and the second set of semi¬circular enclosures are configured perpendicularly at predefined positions on a second surface of the second PCB member, thereby forming the cylindrical enclosure.
3. The ILSCB as claimed in claim 1, wherein a controller is operatively coupled to the ILSCB, which is configured to monitor, configure, and control each of the plurality of circuit breaker.
4. The ILSCB as claimed in claim 4, wherein the controller is in communication with a central processing unit of the aircraft through a network system to remotely monitor, configure, and control each of the plurality of programmable circuit breakers.
5. The ILSCB as claimed in claim 5, wherein the controller is configured to communicatively couple one or more ILSCBs to the central processing unit through the network system to remotely monitor, configure, and control each of ILSCBs and the corresponding circuit breakers.

6. The ILSCB as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of programmable circuit breakers are solid state technology-based circuit breakers that are adapted to operate as any or a combination of a circuit breaker, relay, switch, fuse, and contactor. The circuit breakers are configured to provide one or more protections to the one or more load lines associated with one or more electrical loads, wherein the one or more protections comprises I2t protection, over current protection, over voltage protection, over temperature protection. The circuit breaker is configured to provide a detection and response time of 1 micro second to over current fault in the one or more loads. Further, for sensitive loads, the circuit breaker is configured to provide a detection and response time of 300 nano second.
7. The ILSCB as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of programmable circuit breakers are also configured to monitor one or more electrical parameters associated with the electrical power flowing from the corresponding power line and the electrical load lines associated with the one or more electrical loads. The one or more electrical parameters includes input voltage, output voltage, load current and temperature, but not limited to the likes.
8. The ILSCB as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ILSCB comprises one or more indicators configured with lights to indicate operating state of the plurality of programmable circuit breakers and the ILSCB, and also indicate status of the one or more faults.
9. The ILSCB as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to provide a built-in test feature, to test each of the plurality of programmable circuit breakers.
10. The ILSCB as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ILSCB is configured to operate and configured in-line to a harness bundle of an aircraft such that a

first cable of the harness bundle is electrically coupled to a DC Bus of power supply system of an aircraft, and a second cable of the harness bundle is electrically coupled to one or more load lines connected to one or more electrical loads of the air craft.