Embedded Conductors in Gas Turbine Rigid Raft
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wiring harnesses in gas turbine engines are bulky, heavy, and difficult to manipulate, leading to complex assembly and maintenance procedures, susceptibility to mechanical damage, and increased weight, which complicates engine design and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A rigid raft made of composite material with embedded electrical conductors and tethers, providing a compact and lightweight structure for mounting electrical and fluid systems, reducing assembly time, and ensuring component stability during fire or overheat events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional wiring harnesses are used, then electrical components can be connected, but the harness becomes bulky, heavy, and difficult to manipulate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated rigid raft structure that serves as both the mechanical mounting platform and the electrical connection system. The raft integrates mounting surfaces, electrical conductors, and signal transmission pathways, eliminating the need for separate wiring harnesses and reducing the number of components that need to be manipulated during assembly and maintenance.
2Reliability
If conventional wiring harnesses are used, then electrical components can be connected, but assembly and maintenance procedures become complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid raft merges mechanical mounting and electrical connection functions into a single integrated component. This consolidation reduces the number of separate assembly steps required, as the raft is installed as one unit rather than requiring separate installation of mounting brackets and wiring harnesses. Maintenance operations are similarly simplified, requiring intervention at a single location rather than multiple dispersed connection points.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid raft serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides a mechanical mounting platform for electrical components, conducts electrical signals, provides structural support, and enables signal transmission. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby reducing overall system complexity and improving assembly and maintenance productivity.
3Reliability
If conventional wiring harnesses are used, then electrical components can be connected, but the weight of the engine increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid raft combines mechanical structure and electrical conduction into a single integrated component, eliminating the weight of separate wiring harnesses, connectors, and mounting brackets. The unified structure uses materials and designs that optimize the weight-to-function ratio, providing both mechanical support and electrical connectivity with minimal mass compared to conventional separate-component approaches.
4Reliability
If conventional wiring harnesses are used, then electrical components can be connected, but the conductors are susceptible to mechanical damage
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid raft integrates electrical conductors within a protective structural matrix, shielding them from mechanical damage. The conductors are embedded or routed through the rigid raft material, which provides physical protection against vibration, impact, and environmental factors. This integrated approach eliminates the vulnerability of exposed conductors and connectors in conventional harnesses.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid raft is constructed from composite materials that provide both structural integrity and electrical properties. These composite materials offer mechanical strength, vibration resistance, and environmental protection while incorporating conductive pathways. The composite structure inherently protects the electrical conductors from mechanical damage while maintaining reliable electrical connectivity.
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 rigid raft significantly reduces assembly and maintenance times, minimizes the risk of damage, and provides a compact, lightweight solution for electrical and fluid systems, while maintaining component attachment during extreme events.
Implementation Method 1
a rigid raft formed of rigid material... the rigid material may be a rigid composite material
Implementation Method 2
an electrical system comprising electrical conductors embedded in the rigid material
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A rigid raft is provided for a gas turbine engine. The raft has an electrical system and/or a fluid system embedded in the material of the raft. The raft further has one or more first mounts for mounting the raft to the gas turbine engine, and one or more second mounts for mounting a gas turbine engine component to the raft. The raft further has one or more tethers which extend between respective first and second mounts and are embedded in the material of the raft.