Harness leads to lighter aircraft

Tekdata claims its expertise in specialist interconnects is helping hasten the arrival of all-electric control systems for aircraft which will eliminate bulky hydraulic actuators and bleed systems for lighter and more efficient planes. The company has completed development of the wiring harness for GE Aviation's actuation system for the Elgear electrically actuated landing gear aimed at the Airbus A320 replacement airliner.

In this system, the harness is fixed to the outside of the landing gear actuator, and combines connections for three-phase power, earth return and 12 signal lines.

The harness incorporates proximity sensors which operate through the actuator housing and have high-performance seals corresponding precisely with each aperture to prevent ingress of moisture, dust or other contaminants when the plane is on the ground or in the air.

The compound cable takes this data, the control signals for the actuator itself, data from sensors within the actuator body, and power to the actuator in a configuration that eliminates electrical interference and cross-talk.

The design of the mouldings contributes to minimising overall size and weight. It also provides physical and environmental protection for the sensors. By developing secure, clip-together assembly and interlocking features, the design team also addressed aircraft operators' demands for standard 15-minute change-out times to allow fast turnaround of commercial aircraft.