System for isolating electrical current in a bearing for use in an aircraft structure

摘要

A system for isolating electrical current in an aircraft structure includes a first structure a bearing having an outer race and an inner race and a liner disposed therebetween, the outer race having a second structure coupled thereto. A dielectric seal is secured to the outer race and engages the inner race. A conditionally non-conductive gas occupies a sealed chamber that defines a gap between the inner race and the outer race. The gap has a predetermined magnitude sufficient to prevent electrical arcing or current leakage between the inner race and the outer race at a first voltage less than that voltage resulting from a lightning strike; and/or to conduct an electrical current between the inner race and the outer race at a second voltage greater than or equal to the voltage resulting from the lightning strike.

主权项

1. A system for isolating electrical current in an aircraft structure, the system comprising:
a first structure; a bearing comprising:
an outer race defining an outer race inner surface and an outer race side surface;an inner race disposed partially in the outer race and coupled to the first structure, the inner race defining an inner race outer surface; anda liner disposed between the outer race inner surface and the inner race outer surface; a second structure coupled to the outer race; a dielectric seal secured to the outer race side surface and sealingly and slidingly engaging the inner race outer surface; a sealed chamber defined by the dielectric seal, the outer race inner surface, the inner race outer surface and an edge of the liner; a conditionally non-conductive gas for conditionally electrically isolating the first structure from the second structure, the conditionally non-conductive gas fluidly occupying the sealed chamber; and the sealed chamber defines a minimum gap between the inner race outer surface and the outer race inner surface, the gap has at least one of:
a predetermined magnitude sufficient to prevent electrical arcing or current leakage between the inner race outer surface and the outer race inner surface at a first voltage, the first voltage being less than a voltage resulting from a lightning strike; anda predetermined magnitude sufficient to conduct an electrical current between the inner race outer surface and the outer race inner surface at a second voltage, the second voltage being at least as great as the voltage resulting from the lightning strike.