# US 2021/0281145 A1 · Terminal block for integrated tail cone and mounted generator > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2021/0281145 A1 - Document ID: US20210281145A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/812,801 - Filed: 2020-03-09 - Published: 2021-09-09 - Earliest claimed: 2020-03-09 - Assignees: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation - Applicants: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation - Inventors: Glenn C. Lemmers, JR. - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210281145A1 ## CPC - F01D 15/10: Adaptations for driving, or combinations with, electric generators - H02K 5/225: {Terminal boxes or connection arrangements (specially adapted for submersible motors H02K5/132)} - F01D 9/065: {Fluid supply or removal conduits traversing the working fluid flow, e.g. for lubrication-, cooling-, or sealing fluids (see also F01D25/16, F01D25/24 and F01D25/26)} - F01D 25/24: Casings (modified for heating or cooling F01D25/14); Casing parts, e.g. diaphragms, casing fastenings (casings for rotary machines or engines in general F16M {; special arrangements in stators dealing with breaking-off of part of rotor F01D21/045}) - F01D 25/243: {Flange connections; Bolting arrangements (F01D25/265 takes precedence)} - F01D 25/30: Exhaust heads, chambers, or the like - H02K 7/18: Structural association of electric generators with mechanical driving motors, e.g. with turbines - H02K 7/1823: {structurally associated with turbines or similar engines} - F01D 9/00: Stators - F02C 6/00: Plural gas-turbine plants; Combinations of gas-turbine plants with other apparatus; Adaptations of gas-turbine plants for special use - F05D 2220/76: an electrical generator - F01D: NON-POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, e.g. STEAM TURBINES (machines or engines for liquids F03; non-positive displacement pumps F04D) - H02K: DYNAMO-ELECTRIC MACHINES (dynamo-electric relays H01H53/00; conversion of DC or AC input power into surge output power {H03K3/53}) - F02C: GAS-TURBINE PLANTS; AIR INTAKES FOR JET-PROPULSION PLANTS; CONTROLLING FUEL SUPPLY IN AIR-BREATHING JET-PROPULSION PLANTS (construction of turbines F01D; jet-propulsion plants F02K; construction of compressors or fans F04; generating combustion products of high pressure or high velocity F23R; using gas turbines in compression refrigeration plants F25B11/00) - F05D: INDEXING SCHEME FOR ASPECTS RELATING TO NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, GAS-TURBINES OR JET-PROPULSION PLANTS ## Abstract Tail cone assemblies for gas turbine engines are described. The tail cone assemblies include a generator housing having an electrical connector, the generator housing defining a longitudinal axis. A first casing is arranged radially outward from the generator housing relative to the longitudinal axis and a second casing arranged radially outward from the first casing relative to the longitudinal axis. A hollow strut extends radially between the first casing and the second casing and defining an interior cavity, the hollow strut located circumferentially relative to the longitudinal axis at a location radially aligned with the electrical connector of the generator housing. An electrical conductor is arranged within the interior cavity of the hollow strut and an adapter is configured to electrically connect the electrical conductor with the electrical conductor. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A tail cone assembly comprising: a generator housing having an electrical connector, the generator housing defining a longitudinal axis; a first casing arranged radially outward from the generator housing relative to the longitudinal axis; a second casing arranged radially outward from the first casing relative to the longitudinal axis; a hollow strut extending radially between the first casing and the second casing and defining an interior cavity, the hollow strut located circumferentially relative to the longitudinal axis at a location radially aligned with the electrical connector of the generator housing; an electrical conductor arranged within the interior cavity of the hollow strut; and an adapter configured to electrically connect the electrical conductor with the electrical connector of the generator housing. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The tail cone assembly of claim 1, wherein the adapter is arranged within the interior cavity of the hollow strut. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The tail cone assembly of claim 1, further comprising an electric generator installed within the generator housing. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The tail cone assembly of claim 1, wherein the electrical conductor is a three-phase electrical conductor having three wires. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The tail cone assembly of claim 4, wherein: the electrical connector comprises three electrical pins; and the adapter comprises three bus bars arranged to each connect one of the three wires to one of the three electrical pins. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The tail cone assembly of claim 1, further comprising: at least one additional hollow strut extending radially between the first casing and the second casing and defining an interior cavity, the at least one additional hollow strut located circumferentially relative to the longitudinal axis at a location radially aligned with at least one additional electrical connector of the generator housing; at least one additional electrical conductor arranged within the interior cavity of the at least one additional hollow strut; and at least one additional adapter configured to electrically connect the at least one additional electrical conductor with the at least one additional electrical conductor. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The tail cone assembly of claim 1, further comprising a bracket configured to fixedly attach the adapter to the generator housing. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The tail cone assembly of claim 1, wherein the adapter comprises an adapter body and an adapter cover. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The tail cone assembly of claim 8, wherein the adapter body is configured to directly connect to the generator housing. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The tail cone assembly of claim 8, wherein the adapter body and the adapter cover are electrically insulating. ### Claim 11 A gas turbine engine comprising a low spool shaft arranged along an engine longitudinal axis; and a tail cone assembly comprising: a generator housing having an electrical connector, the generator housing defining a longitudinal axis aligned with the engine longitudinal axis; a first casing arranged radially outward from the generator housing relative to the longitudinal axis; a second casing arranged radially outward from the first casing relative to the longitudinal axis; a hollow strut extending radially between the first casing and the second casing and defining an interior cavity, the hollow strut located circumferentially relative to the longitudinal axis at a location radially aligned with the electrical connector of the generator housing; an electrical conductor arranged within the interior cavity of the hollow strut; and an adapter configured to electrically connect the electrical conductor with the electrical connector of the generator housing. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The gas turbine engine of claim 11, further comprising an electric generator installed within the generator housing, wherein the electric generator is operably connected to the low spool shaft. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The gas turbine engine of claim 11, wherein the adapter is arranged within the interior cavity of the hollow strut. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The gas turbine engine of claim 11, wherein the electrical conductor is a three-phase electrical conductor having three wires. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The gas turbine engine of claim 11, further comprising a third casing arranged radially outward from the second casing relative to the longitudinal axis, wherein a space between the first casing and the second casing is a core flow exhaust area and a space between the second casing and the third casing is a bypass flow exhaust are. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The gas turbine engine of claim 11, further comprising: at least one additional hollow strut extending radially between the first casing and the second casing and defining an interior cavity, the at least one additional hollow strut located circumferentially relative to the longitudinal axis at a location radially aligned with at least one additional electrical connector of the generator housing; at least one additional electrical conductor arranged within the interior cavity of the at least one additional hollow strut; and at least one additional adapter configured to electrically connect the at least one additional electrical conductor with the at least one additional electrical conductor. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The gas turbine engine of claim 11, further comprising: at least one additional hollow strut extending radially between the first casing and the second casing and defining an interior cavity, the at least one additional hollow strut located circumferentially relative to the longitudinal axis at a location radially aligned with a fluid connector of the generator housing; and at least one fluid line connected to the fluid connector and passing through the at least one additional hollow strut. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The gas turbine engine of claim 17, wherein the at least one fluid line is one of an oil input line, an air input line, and an oil scavenge line. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) The gas turbine engine of claim 11, further comprising a bracket configured to fixedly attach the adapter to the generator housing. ### Claim 20 (depends on 11) The gas turbine engine of claim 11, further comprising a tail cone arranged with the generator housing positioned within the tail cone.