Aircraft Cable Tray Partitioning for Arc-Safe Harness Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft cable tray arrangements result in non-optimal harness routings and high costs due to separate power and signal cable trays, with limited flexibility and increased risk of electric arcs from high voltages, necessitating redundant wiring and reduced gap sizes for safety.
Innovation Solution
An electrical partitioning device that integrates power and signal cables within the same cable tray channels, using a dielectric panel and translation limitation stop to increase gap size to 8 mm, reducing the risk of electric arcs while maintaining flexibility and eliminating the need for additional attachment means, thus allowing for coherent doubling of circuits without electrical risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate power and signal cable trays are used, then electrical insulation is ensured, but harness routing becomes non-optimal and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines power cable tray and signal cable tray into a single integrated cable tray structure. The power cables and signal cables are routed together in the same tray with internal separation, eliminating the need for separate trays and reducing installation complexity while maintaining electrical insulation through the dielectric partition.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated cable tray is divided into distinct compartments using a dielectric partition that separates power cable housing from signal cable housing. This segmentation maintains electrical insulation between high-voltage and low-voltage circuits while allowing both types of cables to coexist in a single tray structure.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If gap between profiles is reduced to minimum, then risk of electric arcs is limited, but flexibility and adaptation to aircraft structure decreases
Solution Approach 1:
A dielectric partition is introduced as an intermediary element between power cables and signal cables within the cable tray. This partition allows larger gaps between tray profiles for flexibility while maintaining electrical insulation, as the dielectric material prevents arc formation even when larger spaces are present.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable tray utilizes composite construction with dielectric materials (such as G10 epoxy fiberglass) for insulation components. This composite approach allows the structural profiles to be spaced farther apart for flexibility while the dielectric partition maintains electrical safety, preventing electric arcs despite increased spacing.
3Reliability
If different sized cable trays are provided for power and signal cables, then electrical insulation is maintained, but space and material efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges power cable tray and signal cable tray into a single integrated structure, eliminating redundant materials. Instead of providing separate trays for power and signal cables, both cable types are accommodated in one tray with internal partitioning, reducing material usage while maintaining electrical insulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated cable tray serves multiple functions simultaneously: it houses both power cables and signal cables, provides structural support, and maintains electrical insulation through its dielectric partition. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate specialized trays for different cable types.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enhances the flexibility of cable trays, reduces the risk of electric arcs, and saves space and materials by allowing increased gap sizes while ensuring safe and efficient electrical insulation, thereby simplifying assembly and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
The dielectric panel partitions the notch space and its dimensions and material are preferably chosen to prevent any electric arcing given the voltages used in an application
Data Source
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AI summary
An electrical barrier device (8) for an aircraft cable raceway, designed to be positioned where two profile sections (1, 2) meet, and comprising: - at least one bottom-wall bridging base; - at least one dielectric panel running transversely to the bottom-wall bridging base and with the bottom-wall bridging base delimiting a passage for cables; - a translation-limiting stop fixed to a dielectric panel outside of the cable passage.