Airplane charging cable

Abstract

A cable (100) for the power supply of an onboard electrical device, comprising: a central conductor (10), and a plurality of peripheral conductors (11) disposed around the central conductor (10), characterized in that at least two of the plurality of peripheral conductors (11) and the central conductor (10) each comprise: a central element (1), and a plurality of peripheral conductive elements (4) disposed around the central element (1). And peripheral conductive elements (4) each having an individual insulating material preferably made of a thermoplastic elastomer, the peripheral conductive elements (4) being disposed around the central element (1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of cables and, in particular, to power cables for power supply to onboard devices, such as, for example, onboard aircraft, ships or any other movable or stationary vessel. Background Art

[0002] Cables for power supply are known in the prior art. For example, document CN208444640U discloses a parallel cable attached in the form of a bundle, the bundle comprising three cores of the cable. However, the disadvantage of this cable is that it is bulky and requires a large amount of conductive material for a given power. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present invention aims to solve the drawbacks of the prior art and proposes a new cable construction that makes it possible to reduce the use of conductive material for a given power, to improve heat dissipation, and to be easier to handle by an operator or a machine, in particular being more flexible.

[0004] Therefore, the present invention relates to a cable for power supply of an onboard electrical device, comprising:

[0005] -Center conductor, and

[0006] - a plurality of peripheral conductors arranged around the central conductor, characterized in that at least two of the plurality of peripheral conductors and the central conductor each comprise:

[0007] - a central element, and

[0008] - a plurality of peripheral conductive elements, each having an individual insulating material, preferably made of a thermoplastic elastomer, the peripheral conductive elements being arranged around the central element.

[0009] This makes it possible to develop a cable construction that reduces the use of conductive materials such as copper for a given power, improves heat dissipation, is easier to handle by operators or machines (such as winders and unwinders, for example), and is more flexible. This allows for temperature reduction due to the transmission of current and the reduction in the conductor's cross-section. Compared to a "standard" cable, this cable carries the same amount of energy or power, but with a 30% smaller copper cross-section. For power cables, the goal is to reduce the conductor's cross-section while maintaining the same amount of energy being transmitted and the same characteristics.

[0010] In fact, with this arrangement it is possible to provide a conventional cable of, for example, 24 mm made of copper. 2 Seven conductors (ie 6×4mm 2 , that is, each with 4mm 2 six peripheral conductive elements of the cross section, each peripheral conductive element is individually insulated) instead of 35mm2 Seven (solid) conductors are used while transferring the same power or the same energy in the cable. Thus, it is possible to reduce the electrical losses caused by heating of the conductors and obtain the same amperage with a smaller cross section.

[0011] The heat generated by the cross-sectional area reduction is dispersed by assembling components of the cable according to the present invention. The power conductor, for example made of copper, is divided into several smaller conductive elements with smaller cross-sectional areas. Each conductive element is insulated. The external surface of all these small conductors is larger than that of a solid power conductor and allows for more efficient removal of the heat induced by the current. For example, in the case of a charging cable, the present invention reduces the prior art 35 mm 2 Each initial solid conductor is divided into six 4mm 2 Conductor cross section. 35mm 2 The outer surface of the conductor is 25mm 2 / mm, six 4mm 2 The outer surface of the conductor is 49mm 2 Therefore, heat removal is better for the cable according to the invention with a larger heat dissipation surface and a smaller cross section.

[0012] The environmental impact of the cable according to the present invention is improved by reducing the amount of raw materials that make up the cable. The reduction in cross-section makes it possible to reduce weight, outer diameter, and increase the flexibility of the cable. It also reduces packaging and transportation costs, as well as all other costs incurred by the cable at the end-user's facility (cable reels, handling, structure).

[0013] Advantageously, the plurality of peripheral conductors and the central conductor are configured to improve the removal of heat dissipated by the transmitted current, said plurality of peripheral conductors and the central conductor having an enlarged dissipation surface or a reduced cross-section.

[0014] This makes it possible to improve the heat removal from the conductors so as to improve the characteristics of the cable.

[0015] Advantageously, each of the plurality of peripheral conductors and the central conductor comprises:

[0016] - a central element, and

[0017] - a plurality of peripheral conductive elements, each comprising an individual insulating material, the peripheral conductive elements being arranged around the central element.

[0018] This makes it possible to optimize the performance of the cable as indicated above.

[0019] Advantageously, each of the plurality of peripheral conductors and the center conductor further comprises an insulating jacket.

[0020] This ensures that heat is properly removed to the outside of the cable.

[0021] Advantageously, the cable further comprises an outer sheath, preferably made of halogen-free polyurethane.

[0022] This ensures that heat is properly removed to the external environment of the cable.

[0023] Advantageously, the cable further comprises a plurality of secondary conductors, which are preferably arranged between the two peripheral conductors.

[0024] This ensures electrical transmission for control and / or command functions via the secondary conductor.

[0025] Advantageously, the central conductor is the neutral or return conductor, and / or the peripheral conductors are phase conductors. This makes it possible, among other things, to provide the cable with symmetry.

[0026] Advantageously, the central element is non-conductive. This is particularly advantageous in that the service life of the cable is increased when the cable is used in a bent configuration. The central element is subjected to tensile and compressive stresses during bending of the cable; therefore, non-conductive elastomeric materials are more resistant to these stresses than metallic conductive materials. Furthermore, degradation of this non-conductive central element does not result in a cessation of the cable's electrical functionality, as is the case with conductive elements.

[0027] Advantageously, the peripheral conductor is arranged in contact with or in close proximity to the central conductor.

[0028] Advantageously, the peripheral conductors are evenly distributed around the central conductor.

[0029] This makes it possible to optimize the arrangement and tightness of the cables.

[0030] Advantageously, the peripheral conductor has a centre of gravity and is arranged such that its centre of gravity forms a circle in a cross-sectional view, the centre of said circle being the centre of gravity of the central conductor. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more apparent on reading the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention, which is given by way of non-limiting example and illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0032] [ Figure 1 ] represents a cable according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] Figure 1 A cable 100 according to the present invention is shown.

[0034] The cable 100 is particularly suitable for transmitting electricity to an onboard device, such as an aircraft. It can be particularly used to connect a ground power unit to an aircraft.

[0035] The electrical frequency used is particularly preferably 400 Hz and is usually less than 100 kHz.

[0036] The cable 100 includes a center conductor 10 and six peripheral conductors 11 arranged around the center conductor 10 .

[0037] Each of the central conductor 10 and the peripheral conductor 11 comprises a central element 1 and six peripheral conductive elements 4 arranged around the central element 1. Each peripheral conductive element 4 is provided with an individual insulating material, preferably made of a thermoplastic elastomer.

[0038] The peripheral conductive elements 4 and the central element 1 are embedded in a common insulator, such as a halogen-free polyurethane jacket, to form the central conductor 10 (or one of the peripheral conductors 11). In a preferred embodiment, the peripheral conductor 11 and the central conductor 10 are each formed by the central element 1 and six peripheral conductive elements 4. The six peripheral conductors have a diameter of 4 mm. 2 The cross section of each peripheral conductor 11 or each central conductor 10 is 6×4=24mm 2 The cross section is made of a conductive material such as red copper (especially super flexible red copper). Each of the peripheral conductors or the central conductor is 35mm 2 Compared to the prior art cables formed of solid material, the material gain is 30%. In addition, the cross-section of the cable 100 of the present invention is reduced (compared to the prior art) and each of the conductive elements 4 is individually insulated, and the heat dissipation is significantly better, especially because, as indicated above, the dissipation cross-section is larger. Thus, it is possible to have individual 35mm 2 The cross-section of the seven solid conductors of the prior art cable is passed with the individual cross-sections of the seven conductors being 6×4 mm 2 =24mm 2 Note that the seven conductors 10, 11 here are a center conductor 10 and six peripheral conductors 11. Therefore, the cable 100 according to the present invention is more flexible, consumes less raw materials and has the other advantages mentioned above.

[0039] For the cable 100 according to the invention, the technical characteristics are, for example, an operating voltage of 200 V between the phases of the conductors 10, 11 and an operating voltage of 115 V between the phases and neutral of the conductors 10, 11. The permissible linear resistance of the two conductors 10, 11 is typically 260 A.

[0040] The maximum permissible temperature on the core of the cable 100 is 80° C. or 100° C. For 25 meters of cable 100 , the theoretical voltage drop for 90 kVA is a maximum of 6 volts.

[0041] In the given example, the operating temperature of the cable 100 is typically -20°C to +40°C, the radius of curvature is greater than 200mm, and the weight is 2.6kg per meter. 2 The weight of the cable 100 is particularly reduced when compared to prior art cables of solid cross-section, which weigh approximately 3.5 kg per meter.

[0042] In the given example, the outer diameter of the cable 100 is 36 mm + / - 0.8 mm.

[0043] The cable 100 may further include one or more secondary conductors 2 arranged between the outer conductors 11. The secondary conductors 2 may be used to transmit current or control command signals. The secondary conductors 2 may be, for example, each 1 mm thick. 2 The cross section is formed of three secondary elements made of a conductive material such as copper (especially super flexible copper) and preferably TPE insulated.

[0044] With respect to the secondary conductor 2 , in the given example, the operating voltage is typically 140 volts, and the linear resistance per conductor at 20° C. is less than 21.5 ohms / km.

[0045] All peripheral conductors 11 and central conductor 10 are embedded in an overall insulation 3 in contact with the external environment to form a cable 100. The overall insulation 3 is preferably a sheath made of, for example, halogen-free polyurethane.

[0046] It should be understood that various modifications and / or improvements that are apparent to those skilled in the art may be made to the different embodiments of the present invention described in this specification.

[0047] In particular, reference is made to the possibility of providing different numbers of peripheral conductors.

Claims

1. A cable (100) for supplying power to an onboard electrical device, comprising: a center conductor (10), and a plurality of peripheral conductors (11) disposed around the central conductor (10), It is characterized in that at least two of the plurality of peripheral conductors (11) and the central conductor (10) each include: central element (1), and A plurality of peripheral conductive elements (4), each having an individual insulating material preferably made of a thermoplastic elastomer, are arranged around the central element (1).

2. The cable (100) according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of peripheral conductors (11) and the central conductor (10) are configured to improve the removal of heat dissipated by the transmitted current, the plurality of peripheral conductors (11) and the central conductor (10) having an enlarged dissipation surface or a reduced cross-section.

3. The cable (100) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein each of the plurality of peripheral conductors (11) and the center conductor (10) comprises: The central element (1), and The plurality of peripheral conductive elements (4), each of which has the respective insulating material, are disposed around the central element (1).

4. The cable (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each of the plurality of peripheral conductors (11) and the center conductor (10) further comprises an insulating jacket.

5. The cable (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a plurality of secondary conductors (2), preferably arranged between two peripheral conductors (11).

6. The cable (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the central conductor (10) is a neutral or return conductor, and / or the peripheral conductor (11) is a phase conductor.

7. The cable (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the central element (1) is a non-conductive element.

8. The cable (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the peripheral conductor (11) is arranged in contact with or in close proximity to the central conductor (10).

9. The cable (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the peripheral conductors (11) are evenly distributed around the central conductor (10).

10. The cable (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the peripheral conductor (11) has a center of gravity and is arranged so that its center of gravity forms a circle in a cross-sectional view, the center of the circle being the center of gravity of the central conductor (10).

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