Earthing arrangement for electrical panel
AssigneeROLLS-ROYCE plc
InventorBenjamin George Taylor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A rigid electrical panel has both a flexible printed circuit and an electrically conductive grounding layer embedded therein. The electrically conductive grounding layer is electrically connected to a grounding insert which is also embedded in the rigid material. The grounding insert has a base portion and an exposed portion. The electrically conductive grounding layer is connected to the base portion, and the exposed portion allows the grounding insert, and thus the electrically conductive grounding layer, to be electrically connected to a grounding point, for example on a gas turbine engine.
Claims15
A rigid electrical panel for an electrical harness comprising:
- a rigid material;
- at least one electrical conductor embedded in the rigid material, each electrical conductor being arranged to transfer at least one electrical signal;
- an electrically conductive grounding layer embedded in the rigid material;
- and
- a grounding insert electrically connected to the electrically conductive grounding layer, wherein the grounding insert comprises:
- a base portion which is embedded in the rigid material and permanently fixed in position by the rigid material;
- an exposed portion that is accessible from outside the panel to allow the grounding insert to be electrically connected to an external grounding element;
- an externally threaded portion that extends from the base portion;
- and
- the electrically conductive grounding layer is clamped between the base portion and a nut that is threaded onto the externally threaded portion.
A method of manufacturing a rigid electrical panel comprising:
- providing a first layer of material;
- providing an electrically conductive grounding layer and a grounding insert on top of the first layer of material, the electrically conductive grounding layer and the grounding insert being in electrical contact;
- and
- providing a second layer of material such that the electrically conductive grounding layer and a base portion of the grounding insert are embedded in or between the first layer and the second layer, wherein:
- the grounding insert comprises an exposed portion that extends from the base portion and is accessible from outside the panel to allow the grounding insert to be electrically connected to an external grounding element;
- the grounding insert comprises an externally threaded portion that extends from the base portion;
- the method further comprises embedding at least one electrical conductor in or between one or both of the first layer and the second layer of material;
- and
- the method further comprises clamping the electrically conductive grounding layer between the base portion and a nut that is threaded onto the externally threaded portion of the grounding insert.
A method of providing a grounded electrical panel to a gas turbine engine or vehicle comprising:
- mechanically attaching a rigid electrical panel to the gas turbine engine or vehicle, the rigid electrical panel comprising:
- a rigid material;
- at least one electrical conductor embedded in the rigid material, each electrical conductor being arranged to transfer at least one electrical signal;
- an electrically conductive grounding layer embedded in the rigid material;
- and
- a grounding insert electrically connected to the electrically conductive grounding layer, wherein the grounding insert comprises:
- a base portion which is embedded in the rigid material and permanently fixed in position by the rigid material;
- an exposed portion that is accessible from outside the panel to allow the grounding insert to be electrically connected to an external grounding element, wherein
- the method further comprises electrically connecting a conductive strap between the exposed portion of the grounding insert and a grounding point on the gas turbine engine or vehicle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.