FR3129537A1 - ELECTRICAL CONNECTION SYSTEM PROTECTED BY CAPTIVE BOX - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a protected electrical connection system (10), comprising: two conductive elements (12, 14) each comprising at one end a connection lug (12a, 14a), at least one bolt (28) for fixing said elements conductors (12, 14), passing through said tabs (12a, 14a), a casing (30) encapsulating said at least one bolt (28), tabs (12a, 14a) and conductive elements (12, 14), characterized in that the housing (30) consists of two contiguous half-housings (30a, 30b) respectively mounted on said two conductive elements and together delimiting a receiving cavity (32) of said at least one bolt (28), these half-housings (30a , 30b) comprising first complementary open ends (34a, 34b), fixed to each other and of a transverse dimension greater than that (E) of said at least one bolt (28), and second tubular ends ( 36a, 36b), opposite each traversed by an associated conductive element (12, 14) and of a transverse dimension less than that (E) of said at least one bolt (28). Figure for abstract: Figure 3.

Description

ELECTRICAL CONNECTION SYSTEM PROTECTED BY CAPTIVE BOX

Technical field of the invention

The invention relates to an electrical connection system between two conductive elements of axial orientation such as power bars or harnesses intended to ensure the connection to an aircraft of electrical equipment such as an electrical machine forming part of a turbomachine. hybrid powering this aircraft.

The present invention relates in particular to an electrical connection system provided with means for isolating and protecting this connection.

Technical background

The state of the art includes in particular the documents FR-A1-2 842 565, FR-A1-2 896 537 and FR-A1-2 922 265 which describe turbomachines equipped with electric machines.

The aeronautical world is now asking many questions about the relevance of using hybrid engines for commercial aviation. The use of electrical energy is now envisaged not only to respond to aircraft functions but also to electrify turbomachine functions.

This observation leads to the study of hybrid engine architecture solutions, i.e. to the development of hybrid turbomachines combining fossil fuel energy and electrical energy to ensure the drive of the propulsion part (fan of the turbomachine) and supplying certain engine and/or aircraft functions.

These architectures can in particular be based on an architecture of the type with a high dilution rate and with a reducer, but also on multiple bodies. In these architectures, the turbomachine comprises one or more low-pressure spools and a high-pressure spool, each spool comprising a shaft connecting a rotor of a compressor to a rotor of a turbine. Such turbomachines can comprise one or more electric machines mechanically coupled to the low-pressure or high-pressure bodies of the turbomachine, with powers ranging from a few kW to several MW.

This multiplication of electrical machines induces a significant increase in the number of connections to be made, especially since the modular design of turbomachines in the form of axial modules implies that the electrified modules can be delivered with their connectors, ready to be assembled with the others. turbomachinery modules.

In addition, the great diversity of possible locations for electrical machines means that particular care must be taken in their connections, both in terms of protection against various risks such as fire outbreaks, sparks, etc., and insulation against screws from the surrounding metal elements.

There is therefore a real need for a protected electrical connection system making it possible to ensure these protection and insulation functions while being compatible with a modular design of the turbomachine.

The present invention proposes a solution to at least some of the constraints mentioned above.

The invention proposes for this purpose a protected electrical connection system that can be easily assembled, cannot be lost, and protects the connection from all attacks.

For this purpose, the invention proposes a protected electrical connection system for connecting an electrical machine of an aircraft turbine engine, said system comprising:

• two conductive elements such as power bars or harnesses, each comprising a connection lug at one end,
• at least one fixing bolt of said conductive elements, passing through the orifices of said lugs, and
• a casing encapsulating said at least one bolt, said lugs and part of each of said conductive elements,

characterized in that the housing comprises two adjoining half-housings respectively mounted on said two conductive elements and together delimiting a cavity for receiving said at least one bolt and connection lugs, these half-housings comprising first complementary open axial ends which are fixed to each other and which each comprise an opening having a transverse dimension measured in a direction which is greater than a transverse dimension of said at least one bolt measured in this same direction, and second open ends, axially opposite the first ends, which are each traversed by an associated conductive element and which each comprise an opening having a transverse dimension measured in said direction less than the aforementioned transverse dimension of said at least one bolt.

According to other characteristics of the electrical connection system:

- the first axial end of one half-housing is a male end, the first axial end of the other half-housing is a female end, and said first ends are nested one inside the other, said first axial end male having an external groove in which is fitted an internal lip of said first female axial end.

- The first female axial end further comprises, axially in line with its inner lip, an outer groove receiving a clamping collar.

- the system comprises a sleeve which is crimped onto one of the conductive elements close to said at least one bolt, and which externally carries first axial immobilization means and the second end of one of the half-housings is arranged axially in line with said sleeve and comprises second axial immobilization means cooperating with the first axial immobilization means to immobilize said half-box axially with respect to said sleeve,

- the first axial immobilization means comprise at least two series of parallel lugs projecting transversely from the sleeve, said series of lugs being opposite each other transversely on each side of the sleeve, and the second axial immobilization means comprise at least two transversely opposite internal teeth extending transversely inside the second tubular end of the corresponding half-housing, each internal tooth being received between two lugs of one of the series of lugs of the sleeve,

- the sleeve is crimped around the conductive element,

- the sleeve is part of a support for the conductive element which comprises at least one transverse fixing lug,

- the conductive element has a substantially rectangular section and the support comprises two opposite transverse lugs, the sleeve being tubular, of substantially rectangular section complementary to the conductive element, with two large faces facing each other and two small faces facing each other, each large face comprising at one axial end the two parallel lugs and at the other end one of the two fixing lugs, a small face being split over its entire length according to a slot for allow the introduction of the conductive element, and the small opposite face comprising in a central part an oblong slot and, on either side of this oblong slot as far as the axial ends of the sleeve, two weakening channels forming a hinge allowing the sleeve to be opened by moving the tabs apart to introduce the conductive element into the slot,

- each half-box is made of a semi-rigid material configured to deform elastically in order to allow the fitting of the internal lip in the external groove and the fitting of the teeth between the lugs, and to maintain these fittings,

- the first end of each half-box has a section in the shape of a triangle, a quadrilateral such as a rhombus, a rectangle or a trapezium, or an oval or circular section.

The invention also relates to a method for assembling a system of the type described above, characterized in that it comprises:

- a first step during which the sleeve is crimped on one of the conductive elements and each half-box is slipped by its second end on the corresponding conductive element,

- a second step during which the conductive elements are electrically and mechanically connected with said at least one bolt,

- a third step during which one of the half-boxes is slid until the teeth of its second end penetrate between the lugs of the sleeve,

- a fourth step during which the half-housings are brought together until the internal lip of the first female end of one of the half-housings is received in the external groove of the first male end of the other half -housing,

- A fifth step during which a collar is placed in the external groove of the first female end and said collar is tightened.

The invention finally relates to an aircraft turbine engine comprising a protected electrical connection connection system of the type described above.

Brief description of figures

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear during the reading of the detailed description which will follow for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings in which:

there is a view in axial section of a turbomachine comprising an electrical connection system according to the invention;

there is a side view of the electrical connection system according to the invention;

there is a sectional view of the electrical connection system with its assembled housing;

there is a sectional view of the electrical connection system with its housing being assembled;

there is a perspective view of a half-case;

there is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a sleeve intended to immobilize the half-casing of the ;

there is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a sleeve intended to immobilize the half-casing of the ;

there is a perspective view illustrating the assembly of the half-housing of the on his sleeve;

there is an axial sectional view illustrating a first position of the casing having escaped from the sleeve;

there is an axial sectional view illustrating a second position of the housing having escaped from the sleeve;

there is another perspective view of the first embodiment of the sleeve intended to immobilize the half-casing of the ;

there is an end view illustrating the spacing of the tabs of the sleeve of the ;

there is a perspective view illustrating the mounting of the sleeve of the on a conductive element;

there is a perspective view illustrating a first cross-sectional shape of the first end of a half-casing;

there is a perspective view illustrating a second form of section of the first end of a half-housing;

there is a perspective view illustrating a third form of section of the first end of a half-housing;

there is a perspective view illustrating a fourth form of section of the first end of a half-casing;

there is a perspective view illustrating a fifth form of section of the first end of a half-casing;

there is a perspective view illustrating a fourth form of section of the first end of a half-casing;

there is a block diagram illustrating the steps of a method for assembling an electrical connection system according to the invention.

Claims (11)

Protected electrical connection system (10) for connecting an electrical machine (22) of an aircraft turbine engine, said system (10) comprising:
two conductive elements (12, 14) such as power bars or harnesses, each comprising at one end a connection lug (12a, 14a),
at least one bolt (28) for fixing said conductive elements (12, 14), passing through the orifices of said legs (12a, 14a), and
a housing (30) encapsulating said at least one bolt (28), said lugs (12a, 14a) and a portion of each of said conductive elements (12, 14),
characterized in that the box (30) comprises two contiguous half-boxes (30a, 30b) mounted respectively on the said two conductive elements and together delimiting a cavity (32) for receiving said at least one bolt (28) and connection lugs (12a, 14a), these half-housings (30a, 30b) comprising first complementary open axial ends (34a, 34b) which are fixed to one another and which each comprise an opening having a transverse dimension measured in a direction which is greater than a transverse dimension of said at least one bolt measured in this same direction, and second open ends (36a, 36b), axially opposite the first ends (34a, 34b), which are each traversed by an associated conductive element (12, 14) and which each comprise an opening having a transverse dimension measured in said direction less than the aforementioned transverse dimension of said at least one bolt. System (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the first open axial end (34a) of one half-housing (30a) is a male end, in that the first open axial end (34b) of the other half-box (30b) is a female end, and in that said first ends (30a, 30b) are nested one inside the other, said first male axial end (30a) comprising an external groove (38a) in which is nested an internal lip (38b) of said first female axial end (30b). System (30b) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the first female axial end (30b) further comprises, axially in line with its internal lip (38b), an external groove (40b) receiving a clamping collar (42) . System (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a sleeve (44) which is crimped onto one of the conductive elements (14) close to the said at least one bolt (28), and which bears on the outside first axial immobilization means (46), and in that the second open end (36b) of one of the half-housings (30b) is arranged axially in line with said sleeve (44) and comprises second immobilization means (44) cooperating with the first axial immobilization means (46) to immobilize said half-case (30b) axially with respect to the sleeve (44). System (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the first axial immobilization means comprise at least two series of parallel lugs (46) projecting transversely from the sleeve (44), the said series of lugs (46 ) being transversely opposed on each side of the sleeve (44), and in that the second axial immobilization means comprise at least two transversely opposed internal teeth (48) extending transversely inside the second open end (36b ) of the corresponding half-housing (30b), each internal tooth (48) being received between two lugs (46) of one of the series of lugs (46) of the sleeve (44). System (10) according to one of Claims 4 or 5, characterized in that the sleeve (44) is crimped onto the conductive element (14). System (10) according to one of Claims 4 to 5, characterized in that the sleeve (44) forms part of a support (50) of the conductive element (14), and in that the said support (50) comprises at least one transverse lug (52) for fixing. System (10) according to Claim 7, characterized in that the conductive element (14) has a substantially rectangular section and in that the support (50) comprises two opposite transverse lugs (52), the sleeve (44) being tubular , of substantially rectangular section complementary to the conductive element (14), with two large faces (54) facing each other and two small faces (56) facing each other, each large face comprising at one axial end the two parallel lugs (46) and at the other end one of the two fixing lugs (52), a small face (56) being split along its entire length along a slot (58) to allow the introduction of the conductive element (14), and the small opposite face (56) comprising in a central part an oblong slot (60) and, on either side of this oblong slot as far as the axial ends of the sleeve, two weakening channels (62) forming a hinge making it possible to open the sleeve (44) by separating the tabs (52) from each other to introduce the conductive element (14) into the slot (58). System (10) according to one of Claims 5 to 8, characterized in that each half-box (30a, 30b) is made of a semi-rigid material configured to deform elastically in order to allow the interlocking of the internal lip (38b) in the outer groove (30a) and the interlocking of the teeth (48) between the lugs (46), and to maintain these interlockings. Method of assembling a system according to one of Claims 4 to 9, characterized in that it comprises:
a first step (ET1) during which the sleeve is crimped onto one of the conductive elements (14) and each half-box (30a, 30b) is slipped via its second open end (36a, 36b) onto the conductive element ( 12, 14) corresponding,
a second step (ET2) during which the conductive elements (12, 14) are electrically and mechanically connected with said at least one bolt (28),
a third step (ET3) during which one of the half-boxes (30b) is slid until the teeth (48) of its second end (36b) penetrate between the lugs (46) of the sleeve (44) ,
a fourth step (ET4) during which the half-boxes (30a, 30b) are brought together until the internal lip (38b) of the first female end (34b) of one of the half-boxes (30b) either received in the external groove (34a) of the first male end (38a) of the other half-housing (30a),
a fifth step (ET5) during which a collar (42) is placed in the outer groove (42) of the first female end (38b) and said collar (42) is tightened. Aircraft turbomachine comprising a protected electrical connection connection system according to one of claims 1 to 9.