Saddle Clamp Electrical Bonding via Integrated Conductive Elements
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing saddle clamps used to secure metal piping or tubing in aircraft environments face issues with electrical charge buildup due to low conductivity, requiring additional components and connections for charge dissipation, which increases complexity and risk of human error, and can cause abrasion to the tubing.
Innovation Solution
A saddle clamp design incorporating internal electrical bonding elements with a base segment and arch segment, featuring surface grooves and window openings, and flexible metal contact strips that maintain electrical contact without transferring structural load, eliminating the need for external conductive cables and reducing wear on the tubing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a metal ring and conductive cable are added to dissipate electrical charge, then electrical charge dissipation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the electrical charge dissipation function with the structural clamp body by integrating conductive elements directly into the plastic clamp. This merging eliminates the need for separate metal rings and external conductive cables, reducing component count while maintaining effective charge dissipation through the integrated conductive path to ground.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp structure provides its own electrical charge dissipation capability through integrated conductive elements that are self-contained within the clamp body. The system serves its own electrical bonding need without requiring external cables or separate grounding components, as the clamp itself becomes the charge dissipation device.
2Reliability
If friction is used to dissipate electrical charge, then electrical charge dissipation is improved, but tubing abrasion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces conductive elements as an intermediary mechanism for charge dissipation that does not rely on friction between the clamp and tubing. Instead of using the plastic clamp surface to generate charge through friction (which causes abrasion), the integrated conductive elements provide a direct electrical pathway to ground, eliminating the harmful friction-based dissipation method while maintaining effective charge management.
3Reliability
If external conductive cables are used, then electrical bonding is improved, but assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical bonding function is merged into the clamp structure itself through integrated conductive elements that are formed as part of the clamp during manufacturing. This eliminates the separate step of installing external conductive cables, reducing assembly time while maintaining effective electrical bonding between the fuel line and ground through the integrated conductive path.
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 solution provides inherent electrical contact and enhanced charge dissipation without external connections, reducing complexity and preventing tubing abrasion, while maintaining secure and efficient electrical coupling.
Implementation Method 1
The electrical contact element includes a tube contact segment disposed in opposing relation to a portion of the surface groove... The proximal portion is electrically connected to the mounting bracket to transmit electrical charge from the tube
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
Figure 3
AI summary
A saddle clamp (20) which incorporates internal electrical bonding elements adapted to maintain electrical contact with a clamped tube structure without transferring structural load between the tube and the electrical bonding components. The saddle clamp (20) includes an inner tube contacting surface having at least one surface groove (40). At least one electrical contact element (50) extends between portions of the inner tube contacting surface. The electrical contact element includes a tube contact segment (52) disposed in opposing relation to a portion of the surface groove. The electrical contact element (50) is electrically connected to the mounting bracket (12), to transmit electrical charge from the tube, via a proximal portion (58) of the electrical contact element (50) which extends through a window opening (44) of the saddle clamp (20).