Electrical Raft With Embedded Conductors For Gas Turbine Harnesses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrical harnesses in gas turbine engines are bulky, heavy, and complex, making them difficult to assemble and maintain, prone to mechanical damage, and requiring significant time and effort for installation and removal.
Innovation Solution
The use of electrical rafts with embedded conductors and a detachable connector body, where the back-shell is integrated into the rigid material to reduce errors and facilitate replacement, and flexible printed circuits for compact and lightweight signal transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If conventional wiring harnesses with individual wires and cables are used, then electrical connections can be established, but the harness becomes bulky, heavy, and difficult to manipulate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple individual wires and cables into a single integrated rigid electrical raft structure. The conductors are embedded within a rigid material matrix, merging what were previously separate, flexible wire assemblies into one unified component that is lighter and easier to install while maintaining all necessary electrical connections.
2Productivity
If conventional harnesses with multiple components are used, then electrical connections are achieved, but assembly and disassembly become complicated and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual wire assemblies, connectors, and supporting components into a single pre-assembled rigid electrical raft. This integration dramatically reduces the number of separate components that need to be handled during assembly and disassembly, thereby increasing productivity while the modular connector design maintains ease of connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical raft is pre-assembled with all conductors embedded in the rigid material before installation. This preliminary assembly of the complex internal structure eliminates the need for complicated on-site assembly procedures, allowing for quick installation by simply connecting the pre-prepared raft to the engine components.
3Reliability
If protective sleeves and braiding are reinforced to prevent mechanical damage, then conductor protection is improved, but weight increases and ease of manipulation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a rigid composite material in which multiple conductors are embedded. This composite structure provides inherent mechanical protection to the conductors without requiring additional heavy protective sleeves or braiding. The rigid material itself acts as the protective element, integrating structural support and conductor protection into a single lightweight component.
4Reliability
If exposed electrical connectors are used for connection, then electrical connection is achieved, but the connectors are susceptible to damage and add significant weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the electrical connector with the rigid electrical raft structure. The connector is integrated into the raft rather than being a separate exposed component, which protects it from mechanical damage while eliminating the need for additional heavy protective housings. The rigid material provides natural protection to the integrated connector.
Data Source
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AI summary
An electrical raft is provided comprising a rigid material having multiple electrical conductors embedded therein. An electrical connector is provided to the raft that has a back-shell which is embedded in the rigid material and which joins to a connector body to enclose a first end of a housing of the connector body. The housing also has a second end at which electrical contacts are provided for connection to another component. The connector body is detachable from the back-shell to electrically disconnect it from the embedded electrical conductors and allow removal of the connector body from the electrical raft. In this way, the connector body may be readily removed, for example for upgrade or repair, whilst retaining a robust and reliable connection.