Electrical connectors

摘要

An electrical raft (200) is provided that has electrical conductors (252) embedded in a rigid material (220). The electrical raft is provided with an electrical connector (700). The electrical connector (700) is mounted in the electrical raft (200) at a mounting angle (730). The mounting angle is set such that the electrical conductors (252) can be connected to the electrical connector without having to turn through an angle or a radius of curvature that would subject them to excessive bending stress. Similarly, the mounting angle means that any conductors (766) that may be connected to the electrical connector (700) do not have to turn through an angle or a radius of curvature that would subject them to excessive bending stress. Furthermore, mounting the electrical connector (700) at the mounting angle (730) may allow the assembled electrical raft (200) to be more compact.

主权项

1. An electrical raft installed in a gas turbine engine, the electrical raft comprising:
a rigid material having multiple electrical conductors embedded therein; and an electrical connector comprising a housing that is distinct from and mounted in the rigid material, the housing having a first end and a second end, with a first set of electrical contacts being at the first end and a second set of electrical contacts being at the second end, the first set of electrical contacts connected to at least one of the electrical conductors, and the second set of electrical contacts for electrical connection to a component, wherein: the electrical raft is installed in the gas turbine engine and has a first major surface separated by a thickness from a second major surface, the first major surface configured to receive the housing within; and the electrical connector housing is mounted in the rigid material so as to form a mounting angle in the range of from 20 degrees to 70 degrees with the first major surface, such that the second set of electrical contacts are accessible from outside the electrical raft, thereby allowing the electrical raft to be electrically connected to said component.