Power Feeder Cable Conduit for Heat, EMI, and Vibration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hybrid electric gas turbine engines face challenges in managing numerous high-voltage power feeder cables between the engine fan case and core compartment, requiring minimal space while addressing temperature, electromagnetic interference, and fire safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
A power feeder cable conduit system with a conduit housing that encloses power feeder cables, incorporating mechanical mounts, dampers, and a firewall to mitigate vibrations and electromagnetic interference, while allowing ventilation and fire containment, and constructed to manage thermal loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If numerous high voltage feeder cables are routed between the fan case and engine core compartment, then power transfer capability is improved, but space requirements and cable management complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple power feeder cables are bundled together within a single conduit housing, consolidating what would otherwise be numerous separate cable routes into one integrated structure. This merging approach maintains the high power transfer capability of multiple cables while dramatically reducing the space and complexity associated with routing and managing each cable individually through the engine compartments.
2Ease of manufacture
If power feeder cables are exposed to the engine environment, then installation simplicity is improved, but exposure to temperature, electromagnetic interference, and fire hazards increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conduit housing serves as an intermediary protective structure between the power feeder cables and the harsh engine environment. This intermediate enclosure shields the cables from thermal radiation, electromagnetic interference, and fire hazards while still allowing the cables to be installed and connected relatively simply at the terminal points. The conduit acts as a barrier that filters out harmful environmental factors.
Solution Approach 2:
The conduit housing creates a protected, thermally isolated environment for the power feeder cables, effectively separating them from the hot engine compartment atmosphere. By enclosing the cables in this protected space, the system establishes a thermally inert zone that reduces thermal loading on the cables without requiring complex active cooling systems.
3Ease of operation
If cable displacement and vibration are not controlled, then installation simplicity is maintained, but cable reliability and fire safety deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple cables are merged into a single bundled conduit assembly that can be installed as one unit. This consolidated approach maintains installation simplicity while the rigid conduit structure provides inherent protection against cable displacement and vibration. The conduit acts as a unified protective enclosure that keeps all cables organized and secured throughout the engine environment.
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 conduit system reduces cable displacements, vibration, and electromagnetic interference, enhances thermal management, and improves fire safety by consolidating cables, reducing installation complexity and exposure to hot temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
The conduit housing is constructed of a material to mitigate radiative heat loads and electromagnetic signals on the plurality of power feeder cables
Implementation Method 2
The conduit housing is constructed of a material to mitigate radiative heat loads and electromagnetic signals on the plurality of power feeder cables
Implementation Method 3
The location of the plurality of power feeder cables within the conduit housing define a plurality of spaces therebetween for routing the sourced nacelle air to cool the plurality of power feeder cables
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus comprising a plurality of power feeder cables (136) for transferring power between an electrical machine (128) located within an engine core of a gas turbine engine (102) and power controllers (132) located on a fan casing (138) of the gas turbine engine (102). A conduit housing (134) defines an interior for enclosing the plurality of power feeder cables (136). A first connector (140) connects a first point on the conduit housing (134) to the engine core of the gas turbine engine (102). A second connector (142) connects a second point on the conduit housing (134) to a trailing edge flange of the fan casing (138) of the gas turbine engine (102).