Electrical Connection Member Detecting Discontinuities
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for detecting faults in electrical networks, such as reflectometry, require disconnection and can damage cables, especially in cable harnesses with electromagnetic protections, and are ineffective for detecting intermittent faults in operational systems like aircraft power supply networks.
Innovation Solution
An electrical connection member with a Y-shaped envelope and capacitive or inductive couplers allows for signal injection and reflection testing without disconnection, enabling fault detection in operational systems and reducing damage risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a clamp is used to grip an electrical cable for reflectometry testing, then test signal injection is enabled, but electromagnetic protection on cable harnesses blocks the radiation and requires removal or destruction of the protection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a coupling element as an intermediary device that bridges the gap between the test signal source and the cable under test. This coupling element enables electromagnetic coupling without requiring direct contact or penetration of the cable's electromagnetic protection, thus resolving the contradiction between test signal injection and electromagnetic shielding.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical clamp-based injection system with an electromagnetic coupling system. Instead of physically gripping and potentially damaging the cable with a mechanical clamp, the system uses electromagnetic fields to inject the test signal through the coupling element, eliminating the need to remove or destroy electromagnetic protection.
2Ease of operation
If a clamp is used to grip an electrical cable for reflectometry testing, then test signal injection is enabled, but adjacent conductors are at risk of damage due to tight bundling in cable harnesses
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling element acts as an intermediary that enables test signal injection without requiring mechanical contact with the cable bundle. By using electromagnetic coupling through the coupling element, the system avoids the need to physically manipulate or separate tightly bundled conductors, thus eliminating the risk of damaging adjacent conductors.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If connectors are disconnected to access contacts for reflectometry testing, then fault detection is enabled, but system reconnection and testing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling element serves as an intermediary that enables reflectometry testing without requiring disconnection of connectors. By coupling to the cable externally, the system allows injection of test signals and detection of reflected signals while the cable remains connected in the harness, thus eliminating reconnection time and allowing testing in operational systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous operation of the electrical system during testing. By using the coupling element for external signal injection, the system maintains electrical connectivity and operational status throughout the testing process, eliminating the need to disconnect and reconnect connectors, thus achieving continuity of useful action.
4Ease of operation
If electromagnetic protection is removed or destroyed to enable clamp-based testing, then test signal injection is enabled, but intervention duration and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling element is designed as an external intermediary device that couples to the cable without requiring removal or destruction of electromagnetic protection. This allows test signal injection to be performed while the electromagnetic protection remains intact, thus eliminating the additional time and cost associated with removing and potentially replacing protective layers.
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
Enables cost-effective and time-efficient fault detection in electrical networks, including intermittent faults, without damaging the network, allowing for continuous operation and reduced maintenance duration.
Implementation Method 1
comprising an electrical coupler adapted to inject into the main conductor an electrical test signal coming from the secondary conductor, and to transmit an electrical signal to the secondary conductor response generated by reflection of the electrical test signal on a discontinuity encountered in the electrical network
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4
Figure 5a~5b
AI summary
The invention concerns an electrical connection member, characterised in that it is capable of detecting discontinuities in an electrical network and comprises a casing having at least three branches, each of the branches comprising, at the end of same, at least one terminal for electrical connection to a respective piece of equipment, and least one main conductor linking two terminals at the ends of two branches in the casing, at least one secondary conductor linking at least one terminal of the end of the third branch in the casing, and comprising an electrical coupler designed to inject an electrical test signal from the secondary conductor into the main conductor, and to transmit, to the secondary conductor, an electrical response signal generated by the reflection of the electrical test signal against a discontinuity encountered in the electrical network.