Aircraft Wing Wiring Harness Sleeve for Folding Tip Arcing Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of providing a wiring harness for a folding wing tip in aircraft that can withstand harsh environmental conditions, movement, and changes in tensional loads, while ensuring segregation of high voltage wiring and accommodating redundancy, is exacerbated by limited space and the need for minimal slack.
Innovation Solution
A protective sleeve made of fluorosilicone polymer is used to house the wiring harness, which includes slits for easy installation and removal, and is guided by sleeve guides to constrain movement, ensuring separation of high and low voltage conductors and minimizing the risk of arcing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a wiring harness is extended across the folding wing tip joint to provide power and data, then the wing tip device can be controlled during flight, but the wiring harness is exposed to harsh environmental conditions, repeated movement, and changing tensional loads that can damage the cables
Solution Approach 1:
A protective sleeve made of fluorosilicone polymer is introduced as an intermediary between the wiring harness and the harsh environment. The sleeve extends across the folding joint and contains channels that guide the cables, protecting them from environmental exposure, movement damage, and tensional loads while allowing the necessary flexibility for wing folding operations
Solution Approach 2:
The protective sleeve is constructed from a flexible fluorosilicone polymer material that can accommodate the repeated bending and folding movements of the wing tip device. The flexible nature of the sleeve allows it to flex with the wing movement while maintaining protection for the internal wiring harness
2Power
If high voltage wiring is provided to the folding wing tip for high voltage feed, then the wing tip device can receive sufficient power, but the risk of arcing and damage to adjacent structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fluorosilicone protective sleeve acts as an intermediary barrier between the high voltage wiring and adjacent structure. The material properties of the sleeve provide electrical insulation and arc protection, allowing high voltage power delivery while preventing harmful arcing effects from reaching surrounding components
Solution Approach 2:
The protective sleeve is made from fluorosilicone polymer, a composite material that combines electrical insulation properties with arc resistance and flexibility. This composite material enables the sleeve to simultaneously provide electrical protection against arcing and mechanical protection against movement damage
3Volume of moving object
If wiring harness is routed through the folding wing tip with minimal slack due to limited volume, then the available space is optimized, but the ability to accommodate movement and tension changes is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The protective sleeve is designed to extend beyond the immediate wiring path, with portions extending into the aerodynamic fairing and along the leading edge. This extraction of the protective structure from the limited internal volume allows the wiring harness to be routed through a more flexible path that can accommodate movement while maintaining compact overall dimensions
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft with a folding wing tip arrangement and a wiring harness extending between a fixed wing and a wing tip device is disclosed. It is desirable to transfer power and/or data into a folding wing tip, which presents challenges such as repeated exposure to potentially harsh environmental conditions, with movement, and/or with changes in tensional loads. The wiring harness includes a plurality of conductors and is arranged to transmit electrical power and/or data to the wing tip device. The harness is received in a protective sleeve. The sleeve includes a fluorosilicone polymer.