US 12,241,945 B2
Frangible antenna mount electrical interconnect for aircraft components, with break detection
Torsten Mack, Portland, OR (US); and Douglas Allyn Miller, Sisters, OR (US)
Assigned to The Boeing Company, Arlington, VA (US)
Filed by The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US)
Filed on Nov. 28, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/059,100.
Prior Publication US 2024/0175940 A1, May 30, 2024
Int. Cl. G01R 31/54 (2020.01); B64U 70/30 (2023.01); G01D 3/08 (2006.01); H01Q 1/28 (2006.01)
CPC G01R 31/54 (2020.01) [G01D 3/08 (2013.01); H01Q 1/28 (2013.01); B64U 70/30 (2023.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) comprising:
a fuselage; and
a plurality of wings, at least one of the plurality of wings including a frangible sensor assembly comprising:
a circuit board including a retained section, a frangible portion, and a detachable section separated from the retained section by the frangible portion, wherein the detachable section includes an antenna connector exchanging first signals with one or more of a radio frequency (RF) connector or a motor connector that exchanges second signals with a servo conductor, wherein the antenna connector is electrically coupled with a first antenna,
a conductive element on the retained section that spans the frangible portion, and
a sensor sub-assembly electrically coupled to the conductive element, wherein the sensor sub-assembly is to monitor a continuity signal via the conductive element, detect a break of the frangible portion based on the continuity signal, generate an alert notification in response to the break of the frangible portion, and re-route signals associated with the detachable section in response to the break of the frangible portion being detected by re-routing one or more of the first or second signals to one or more of a second antenna or a motor.