Rigid Raft Assembly With Embedded Wiring for Gas Turbines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gas turbine engine wiring harnesses are bulky, heavy, and difficult to manipulate, leading to complex assembly and maintenance procedures, susceptibility to mechanical damage, and increased weight and size, which compromises engine design and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A rigid raft assembly with an embedded electrical or fluid system and clamps for mounting tubular members, providing protection and simplifying assembly and maintenance by reducing the number of components and weight, while allowing flexible connection of tubular members via clamps.
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 individual wires and cables into a single integrated raft assembly where conductors are embedded within a rigid structural component. This merging eliminates the need for separate harnesses while maintaining all electrical connections, directly resolving the contradiction between reliable connectivity and ease of manipulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The raft assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for the engine while embedding electrical conductors, fluid passages, and mounting points within a single component. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate wiring harnesses and piping systems, reducing complexity and improving ease of operation.
2Reliability
If conventional wiring harnesses are used, then electrical components can be connected, but the assembly process becomes complicated and time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The raft assembly is pre-manufactured with conductors, fluid passages, and mounting features already integrated into the rigid structure. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex on-site assembly of individual wires and components, significantly improving assembly speed while maintaining connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
By merging electrical conductors, fluid systems, and structural elements into a single integrated raft assembly, the patent reduces the number of assembly steps from installing multiple separate components to installing one unified structure, directly improving productivity.
3Reliability
If conventional wiring harnesses are used, then electrical components can be connected, but the harness occupies significant space within the engine
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges electrical conductors and fluid passages within the volume of a single rigid structural component rather than having them occupy separate spaces. This integration dramatically reduces the total volume required while maintaining all necessary connections and pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
The raft assembly utilizes three-dimensional embedding of conductors and passages within the rigid structure, allowing efficient use of internal volume. This dimensional integration reduces the external footprint and space occupation compared to conventional external harnesses and piping.
4Reliability
If protective sleeves and braiding are added to reduce mechanical damage, then conductor protection is improved, but weight increases and ease of manipulation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The raft assembly integrates the protective function into the rigid structural material itself rather than adding separate protective layers. The rigid material provides inherent mechanical protection to embedded conductors while maintaining ease of manipulation of the entire assembly as a single unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material construction where the rigid raft material provides both structural support and protection for embedded conductors. This composite approach eliminates the need for additional protective sleeves while maintaining durability and ease of handling.
Data Source
AI summary
A raft assembly for a gas turbine engine is provided. The raft assembly includes a rigid raft formed of a rigid material that has an electrical system and/or a fluid system embedded therein. The raft assembly further includes one or more clamps for mounting tubular members to the raft. The or each clamp has a first clamp block and a second clamp block which, in use, clamp together to grip a tubular member between the blocks. The first block is fixed to the raft. The or each clamp further has a fastener operatively extending between the blocks. The fastener is tightenable to apply a clamping load between the blocks, and releasable to remove the clamping load such that the second block can be moved relative to the first block to allow the tubular member to be received between or removed from between the blocks.