Methods and apparatus for ignition lead assembly connections
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorEdward Alan Packard
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An ignition lead assembly that includes a seal sub-assembly that permits the ignition lead assembly to be pressurized, thus facilitating a reduction in the formation of corona within the ignition lead assembly. The ignition lead assembly also includes an ignition cable housed within a conduit and attached at each end to a connector. The ignition cable also includes a plurality of wires encased within permeable electrical insulation. The conduit also includes an air-cooled portion and a non-air-cooled portion connected together with a coupling assembly. The seal sub-assembly prevents air pressure from decreasing within the pressurized ignition lead assembly.
Claims19
A pressurized ignition lead assembly for an aircraft engine, said ignition lead assembly comprising:
- an ignition cable;
- a conduit extending circumferentially around said ignition cable and comprising an air-cooled portion and a non-air-cooled portion, said conduit further comprising an opening extending between an exterior and an interior surface of said conduit for supplying cooling air to said conduit air-cooled portion;
- a seal sub-assembly between said ignition lead assembly air-cooled portion and said ignition lead assembly non-air-cooled portion, said seal sub-assembly comprising a housing and a seal therein, said seal sub-assembly configured to prevent a loss of air pressure from said pressurized ignition lead assembly;
- and
- an engine coupling attached to said ignition lead assembly non-air cooled portion for attaching said ignition cable to the gas turbine engine, said engine coupling comprising a seal configured to prevent pressure decreases of air from said engine coupling.
A gas turbine engine comprising at least one pressurized ignition lead assembly configured to couple between an exciter and an igniter, said ignition lead assembly comprising a hollow conduit, an ignition cable, an engine coupling, and a seal sub-assembly, said conduit extending circumferentially around said ignition cable and comprising an air-cooled portion and a non-air-cooled, said seal sub-assembly between said ignition lead assembly air-cooled portion and said ignition lead assembly non-air-cooled portion, said seal sub-assembly comprising a housing and a seal therein, said engine coupling attached to said conduit non-air cooled portion for attaching said ignition cable to said gas turbine engine, said engine coupling comprising a seal configured to prevent pressure decreases of air from said engine coupling, said conduit further comprising an exterior surface, an interior surface, and an opening extending therebetween for supplying cooling air to said conduit air-cooled portion.
A method for fabricating an ignition lead assembly, the ignition lead assembly including an ignition cable, a conduit including an air-cooled portion and a non-air-cooled portion, and a seal sub-assembly, said method comprising the steps of:
- forming a seal sub-assembly including a housing and a seal therein, the seal sub-assembly configured to be inserted within the conduit non-air-cooled portion of the conduit;
- providing a coupling to couple a first end of the conduit non-air-cooled portion to the conduit air-cooled portion, wherein the coupling includes an exterior surface, an interior surface, and an opening extending therebetween for supplying cooling air to the conduit air-cooled portion;
- and
- providing an engine coupling to couple a second end of the conduit non-air cooled portion to a gas turbine engine, wherein the engine coupling includes a seal to facilitate preventing decreases in pressure from air trapped within the engine coupling.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.