Braided Electrical Harness Shielding With Optical Arc Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integrating both electromagnetic protection and electric arc detection systems in an electrical harness requires two coaxial tubular enclosures, leading to a significant increase in mass.
Innovation Solution
A single tubular casing is created by braiding metal strands and optical fiber sections, where at least 80% of the strands are metallic for electromagnetic protection, and the remaining strands are optical fibers for electric arc detection, integrated into a single tubular envelope.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two separate coaxial tubular enclosures are used for electromagnetic protection and electric arc detection systems, then both protection and detection functions are achieved, but the mass of the electrical harness increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the electromagnetic protection system and electric arc detection system into a single integrated tubular casing. The optical fibers are embedded within the braided structure of the tubular casing, allowing both electromagnetic shielding and arc detection functions to coexist in one component rather than requiring separate enclosures.
Solution Approach 2:
The tubular casing serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides electromagnetic protection through its conductive braided structure while also housing optical fibers for electric arc detection. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated enclosures for each system.
2Weight of moving object
If a single tubular casing integrates both metal strands for electromagnetic protection and optical fiber strands for detection, then mass is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tubular casing is constructed by braiding discrete strands in a segmented manner, where metal strands and optical fiber strands are interwoven in specific patterns. This segmentation allows each type of strand to be manufactured separately and then integrated through the braiding process, simplifying the overall manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The tubular casing employs a composite structure combining metal strands and optical fiber strands in a braided configuration. This composite approach allows the integration of materials with different properties (electromagnetic shielding and light transmission) while maintaining a unified structural form that can be manufactured using standard braiding techniques.
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
This integration reduces the mass of the electrical harness while maintaining both protection and detection functions, achieving a compact design.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnetic protection system comprising a tubular envelope obtained by braiding spindles of strands and positioned around the electrical connection, at least 80% of the strands of the spindles being metallic
Implementation Method 2
strands in the form of sections of optical fiber forming at least part of the electric arc detection system, at least one photo-detection component configured to receive a light beam guided by the optical fiber
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
The invention relates to an electrical harness (20) comprising at least one electrical connection (22), an electromagnetic protection system (24), an arc flash detection system (36), and a tubular sheath (30) obtained by braiding strands (30.1, 30.1') of fibers (32, 34) comprising metallic fibers (32) forming at least part of the electromagnetic protection system (24) and fibers (34) in the form of optical fiber segments (36.1) forming at least part of the arc flash detection system (36). This solution helps to reduce the mass of an electrical harness (20). The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing such an electrical harness and to an aircraft comprising at least one such electrical harness.