NEUILLY-SUR-SEINE, France, 23 Jan. 2010.Flight displays, an in-flight entertainment (IFE) system, and an electrical power conversion system from Thales are flying onboard the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
The Thales Integrated Standby Flight Display (ISFD) displays the 787 navigation parameters in one unit ergonomically designed to reduce pilot workload. The ISFD features a liquid crystal display (LCD) that allows pilots to read the aircraft's pitch and roll attitude, airspeed, altitude, as well as heading and landing approach deviation data in a format similar to a standard primary flight display screen.
Thales and Boeing have been working together since 2004 to design and develop a new lightweight IFE system as part of the 787 program. This system is based on Thales's TopSeries family of IFE systems, which supports connectivity technology and personal electronic device usage. The system integrates broadband communications, on-demand entertainment (music and movies), and in-seat power to accommodate personal electronic devices. Thales designed the system as an onboard intranet with digital servers that store terabytes of data gigabit, Ethernet networks throughout the cabin, seat equipment that includes passenger monitor displays and entertainment control units to navigate through the menu options.
Boeing has designed the Dreamliner with a structure up to 50 percent derived from composite plastic materials, meaning the aircraft is relatively light. The offshoot of this lighter structure is a 20 percent reduction in fuel requirements compared to existing models in its category.
Thales has contributed to weight reductions achieved for the B787, by creating lightweight systems that together can reduce airlines' carbon footprints and operating costs..
Boeing has selected Thales's electrical power conversion technology to power the consumer systems onboard the 787 with the least environmental impact. These systems, both conventional and new, include Thales IFE, as well as electrical environmental control systems and the electrical brake system.
Thales's power conversion system contributes to the low weight requirements through its high-power density, Thales officials say. Lightweight electrical circuits now replace some hydraulic circuits, meaning a greater range of systems are now powered by electricity. The next-generation power conversion system includes a transformer and rectifier solution that supports the 787 high-voltage DC network. Boeing chose Thales's lithium-ion battery technology for the 787 low-voltage DC emergency back-up subsystem.
