Grounded Electrical Raft Structure for Shielded Engine Wiring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrical harnesses in gas turbine engines are bulky, heavy, and difficult to manipulate, with complex assembly and disassembly processes, and are susceptible to mechanical and electromagnetic damage, which complicates maintenance and increases weight and complexity.
Innovation Solution
The use of an electrical raft assembly with a rigid material embedding multiple conductors and an electrically conductive screen layer provides both mechanical and electrical protection, reducing the need for separate protection measures and allowing for a lighter, more compact, and easier-to-assemble solution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional wiring harnesses with individual insulated wires and braided protection are used, then mechanical protection and electrical insulation are provided, but the assembly becomes bulky, heavy, and difficult to manipulate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate protective functions (mechanical protection, electrical insulation, electromagnetic shielding) into a single integrated rigid electrical assembly. The rigid material embeds multiple conductors while providing structural protection, eliminating the need for separate braided protection and individual insulating sleeves, thus reducing weight while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a rigid composite material that embeds multiple electrical conductors, combining structural support and protection functions in one material system. This composite structure replaces traditional separate components (wires, sleeves, braiding) with an integrated rigid assembly, reducing overall weight while providing equivalent or superior mechanical protection
2Reliability
If conventional wiring harnesses with multiple components are used, then electrical insulation and mechanical protection are achieved, but assembly and disassembly processes become complicated and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple assembly steps and components into a single pre-integrated rigid electrical assembly. The conductors are already embedded in the rigid material with built-in insulation and protection, eliminating the need for separate assembly operations for insulation sleeves, braiding, and connector attachment, thus simplifying the assembly process while maintaining electrical insulation reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid electrical assembly is prepared in advance with conductors already embedded and protected within the rigid material structure. This preliminary integration of insulation and protection features before final installation simplifies the assembly process, as the protective structures are already in place rather than requiring step-by-step assembly during installation
3Object-affected harmful factors
If separate protective measures are used for each conductor, then mechanical and electromagnetic protection is improved, but weight and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines electromagnetic shielding and mechanical protection functions into the single rigid material structure that embeds all conductors. Rather than applying separate protective measures to each conductor, the rigid assembly provides unified protection for all conductors simultaneously, reducing device complexity while maintaining electromagnetic protection effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid electrical assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, mechanical protection, electrical insulation, and electromagnetic shielding for all embedded conductors. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate protective components, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive protection against harmful factors
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 electrical raft assembly offers improved mechanical and electrical protection, reduces weight and assembly time, and simplifies maintenance by integrating protection into a single, flexible structure that can be easily shaped to fit within the engine.
Implementation Method 1
an electrically conductive screen layer which provides electrical protection to the embedded electrical conductors
Implementation Method 2
The mounting fixture is in electrical contact with the electrically conductive screen layer. The mounting fixture may be arranged so as to be in electrical contact with the mounting structure when attached thereto
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical assembly including electrical raft having electrical conductors embedded in a rigid material is provided. The electrical assembly has an electrically conductive screen layer. The electrically conductive screen layer provides electromagnetic protection to the electrical conductors. The electrically conductive screen layer is electrically connected to a mounting fixture, which in turn may be electrically connected to an apparatus on which the electrical assembly may be mounted. The electrical raft is used to transport electrical signals (which may be, for example power and/or control signals), for example around a gas turbine engine.