Fire Barrier Terminal Block
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsLowell Bruce Campbell, Cody Jacob Queen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A terminal block configured to be mounted within an opening in a fire barrier. The terminal block includes a central body sized to be positioned in the opening. A lower mount extends outward from a first side of the central body. An upper mount extends outward from a second side of the central body. Mounting surfaces are positioned on each of the lower mount and the upper mount. Electrical conductors extend between the mounting surfaces on the lower mount and the upper mount with the electrical conductors configured to enable an electrical connection between first and second sections of power feed lines.
Claims20
A terminal block configured to be mounted within an opening in a fire barrier, the terminal block comprising:
- a central body sized to be positioned in the opening;
- a lower mount that extends outward from a first side of the central body;
- an upper mount that extends outward from a second side of the central body;
- mounting surfaces positioned on each of the lower mount and the upper mount;
- and
- electrical conductors that extend between the mounting surfaces on the lower mount and the upper mount, the electrical conductors configured to enable an electrical connection between first and second sections of power feed lines.
A terminal block for use with a wing assembly of an aircraft with the wing assembly comprising a strut box mounted to a wing, an engine mounted to the strut box, a fire barrier positioned between the strut box and the engine with the fire barrier comprising an opening, and a plurality of power feed lines each with a first section that extends from the engine and a second section that extends from an aircraft electrical unit, the terminal block comprising:
- a central body sized to be positioned in the opening;
- a lower mount that extends outward from a first side of the central body and configured to be positioned in the engine on a first side of the fire barrier, the lower mount comprising a plurality of first mounting surfaces to connect to the first sections of the power feed lines;
- an upper mount extends outward from a second side of the central body to be positioned in the strut box on a second side of the first barrier, the upper mount comprising second mounting surfaces to connect to the second sections of the power feed lines;
- electrical conductors that extend within the terminal block between the first mounting surfaces and the second mounting surfaces;
- and
- wherein the terminal block enables the power feed lines to transfer electrical energy from the engine, through the fire barrier, and to the aircraft electrical unit.
A method of sealing an opening in a fire barrier at a wing of an aircraft, the method comprising:
- inserting a terminal block through an upper opening in a strut box while upper sections of power feed lines are connected to the terminal block;
- feeding the upper sections of the power feed lines through the upper opening and thereby lowering the terminal block through an interior space of the strut box;
- mounting the terminal block in a lower opening in a fire barrier;
- and
- connecting lower sections of the power feed lines that extend from the terminal block to an engine.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.