Rigid Composite Raft Harness for Gas Turbine Engine Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wiring harnesses in gas turbine engines are bulky, heavy, difficult to manipulate, and prone to mechanical damage, leading to complex assembly and maintenance processes, increased weight, and potential errors during engine maintenance.
Innovation Solution
The use of a rigid composite material raft with an embedded electrical system and fluid system, which integrates electrical conductors and fluid passages, providing a compact, lightweight, and protected means of signal and fluid transfer, reducing assembly and maintenance times, and eliminating the need for dedicated mounting features for liquid tanks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional wiring harnesses are used in gas turbine engines, then electrical components can be connected and controlled, but the harness becomes bulky, heavy, and difficult to manipulate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate wiring harnesses into a single integrated rigid raft structure. The raft integrates electrical conductors, fluid passages, and mounting features into one unified component, eliminating the need to handle multiple separate harnesses and reducing complexity during installation and maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The raft is constructed from rigid composite material that provides structural strength while reducing weight. The composite material allows the raft to maintain rigidity for reliable electrical connections while being lighter and easier to manipulate than traditional metal-based wiring harnesses.
2Reliability
If conventional wiring harnesses with protective sleeves and braiding are used, then electrical conductors are protected from mechanical damage, but the harness weight increases and manipulation becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The raft integrates the protective function directly into the rigid composite structure itself, eliminating the need for separate protective sleeves and braiding layers. The composite material provides inherent mechanical protection to the embedded electrical conductors while maintaining a lightweight design.
3Reliability
If conventional wiring harnesses with multiple components are used, then electrical and mechanical connections can be established, but assembly and disassembly processes become complicated and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The raft combines electrical conductors, fluid passages, connectors, and mounting brackets into a single pre-assembled unit. This integration allows the entire assembly to be installed as one component, dramatically reducing assembly time and the potential for errors during installation and maintenance operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The raft is pre-assembled with all electrical connections, fluid passages, and mounting features configured before installation. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex on-site assembly operations and reduces the time required during maintenance and repair activities.
4Reliability
If conventional wiring harnesses occupy significant space within the engine nacelle, then all necessary electrical components can be accommodated, but the engine size, weight, and shape design is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The integration of electrical conductors, fluid passages, and structural support into a single rigid raft eliminates the need for separate harness bundles and mounting structures. This consolidation significantly reduces the volume occupied by the electrical system within the engine nacelle, allowing for more efficient space utilization and potentially smaller overall engine dimensions.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a rigid raft (702) formed of rigid composite material (220). The raft has an electrical system and/or a fluid system embedded therein. The raft further has a tank (704) for containing liquid integrally formed therewith. The tank can be formed of the rigid composite material. The tank can be for a gas turbine engine.