Terminal Lead Support for Integrated Drive Generator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integrated drive generators in aircraft face challenges in maintaining a constant frequency of generated electric power due to varying input shaft speeds, requiring complex speed trimming mechanisms, and the terminal lead support design must securely and efficiently manage multiple electrical connections while providing protection against creep and lightning.
Innovation Solution
A terminal lead support with a body featuring outer and inner angled surfaces, curved ends, cupped portions, and strategically spaced apertures for secure attachment and protection, along with a method for replacing existing supports, ensuring stable and protected electrical connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If terminal leads are routed through the integrated drive generator housing, then electrical connections are established, but the housing structure is compromised and creep protection is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a separate terminal lead support structure that is distinct from the housing, allowing the housing to maintain its integrity for creep protection while the terminal leads are routed through the dedicated support structure with apertures and sealing structures
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal lead support acts as an intermediary component between the housing and the terminal leads, providing a specialized pathway with sealing structures that protects against creep while accommodating electrical connections, thus resolving the conflict between housing integrity and lead routing
2Reliability
If terminal leads are protected against lightning and creep, then reliability is improved, but the design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple protective functions (creep protection, lightning protection, and structural support) into a single integrated terminal lead support structure, eliminating the need for separate protective components and reducing overall design complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal lead support structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for terminal leads, creates sealed pathways to protect against creep, and offers attachment points for grounding systems to protect against lightning, thereby reducing the need for additional specialized components
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A
Figure 2B~2C
AI summary
A terminal lead support (300) for use in an integrated drive generator has a body (130) defining an outer surface (132) extending to two outer angled surfaces (134). The outer angled surfaces (134) each extend to curved end portions (136). The curved end portions (136) connect the outer angled surfaces (134) into inner angled surfaces (138). The inner angled surfaces (138) each extend into cupped portions (140, 141) formed about a radius. There are six apertures (142) formed within the body (130), with laterally outer apertures (142) spaced from the outer surface (132) by a greater amount than laterally intermediate apertures (144). The laterally intermediate apertures (144) are spaced from the outer surface by a greater amount than laterally inner apertures (146). An integrated drive generator (20) and a method of replacing a terminal lead support are also disclosed.