Connector for heater

Abstract

A connector for incorporation into a heater system for inlet struts includes a body having a tapered forward end and an opposite rear end. A plurality of forward electrical terminals are formed on the outer surface of the tapered end. A plurality of rearward electrical terminals are formed on the rear end of the body. The rearward electrical terminals are in electrical connection with the forward electrical terminals. The forward electrical terminals on the tapered end are in electrical contact with a plurality of electrical contacts connected to heating elements formed in a heating mat. The heating mat entirely envelops the connector. The heater mat is formed within a substantially rigid outer shell.

1 ) A connector comprising:
 a body having a forward tapered end and a rear end, the tapered end including an outer surface;   a plurality of forward terminals on the tapered end; and   a plurality of rearward terminals on the rear end of the body, the rearward terminals in electrical connection with the forward terminals.   
   
   
       2 ) The connector of  claim 1  wherein the outer surface of the tapered end includes a pair of angled surfaces. 
   
   
       3 ) The connector of  claim 2  wherein the plurality of forward terminals are formed on one of the pair of angled surfaces. 
   
   
       4 ) The connector of  claim 3  wherein the pair of angled surfaces are convex. 
   
   
       5 ) The connector of  claim 1  wherein the tapered end includes a removable portion removably secured over the forward terminals. 
   
   
       6 ) The connector of  claim 1  and a heater electrically connected to the plurality of forward terminals on the connector. 
   
   
       7 ) The connector and heater of  claim 6  wherein the heater fully envelops the connector. 
   
   
       8 ) The connector and heater of  claim 7  wherein the heater includes a plurality of electrical heating elements, each connected to at least one of the plurality of forward terminals. 
   
   
       9 ) The connector and heater of  claim 8  wherein the plurality of electrical heating elements includes a plurality of contacts in direct contact with the plurality of forward terminals of the connector. 
   
   
       10 ) The connector and heater of  claim 6  wherein the heater includes a shell in which the connector is mounted. 
   
   
       11 ) The connector and heater of  claim 10  wherein the shell includes a pair of spaced apart walls joined by a forward end, the connector mounted in the forward end of the shell. 
   
   
       12 ) The connector and heater of  claim 11  wherein the shell is a composite shell and the heater includes a heater mat that is a layer in the shell. 
   
   
       13 ) The connector and heater of  claim 6  mounted to a turbine engine structure. 
   
   
       14 ) The connector, heater and turbine engine structure of  claim 13  wherein the turbine engine structure is a strut. 
   
   
       15 ) A turbine engine including the connector, heater and strut of  claim 14 , wherein the strut is an inner strut of an inlet case. 
   
   
       16 ) A heater for a turbine engine strut comprising:
 a heating element; and   a connector in connection with the heating element, the connector having a contact at a rearward end for mating with a complementary connector on a turbine engine strut.   
   
   
       17 ) The heater of  claim 16  wherein the heating element is one of a plurality of heating elements formed in a pair of spaced-apart walls joined at a forward end. 
   
   
       18 ) The heater of  claim 17  wherein the connector is mounted in the forward end of the pair of walls. 
   
   
       19 ) The heater of  claim 18  wherein the heating element is an electrical heating element. 
   
   
       20 ) A method of forming a heating system for a strut in a turbine engine including the steps of:
 a) placing a connector adjacent a mold;   b) placing a plurality of heating elements over the mold;   c) connecting the plurality of heating elements to the connector;   d) forming an outer shell over the connector and the mold; and   e) removing the mold from the outer shell.   
   
   
       21 ) The method of  claim 20  wherein at least a portion of the outer shell is formed over the plurality of heating elements in said step d).