Multi-function system support tray
A multi-function support assembly supports, grounds, and shields numerous different types of aircraft systems and simultaneously stabilizes aircraft structures to which the support assembly is mounted. The support assembly includes a support tray and a number of support brackets attached to and spaced along the length of the support tray. The support tray attaches to aircraft floor beams or other aircraft structures to stabilize the structures while providing a mounting location for the support brackets. The support tray also provides electromagnetic and structural shielding for aircraft systems and a ground path for electrical and electronic components in the aircraft. The support brackets are formed of electrically insulative materials and attach to the support tray to support various aircraft systems below the support tray and to electrically isolate the support tray from the aircraft structures and the aircraft systems from the support tray.
1. A multi-function support assembly comprising:
an elongated electrically conductive support tray, wherein the support tray includes a central horizontally-extending portion and a pair of transversely-extending legs on opposite edges of the central portion; and
a plurality of electrically insulative support brackets attached to and spaced along a length of the support tray for attaching the support tray to structures in a vehicle and for supporting vehicle systems to the support tray, each support bracket comprising:
an attachment structure for attaching the support bracket to the support tray and attaching the support tray to at least one of the structures in the vehicle; and
a plurality of hardware mounts extending from the support tray and configured for coupling with support hardware to which the vehicle systems may be attached so as to support the vehicle systems with the support tray, electrically isolate the vehicle systems from the support tray, and shield the vehicle systems with the support tray, wherein the hardware mounts extend through and depend from the central portion of the support tray and are spaced between the legs of the support tray such that the vehicle systems attached to the support hardware are protected and shielded by the support tray.
2. The multi-function support assembly of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle is an aircraft and the structures in the vehicle are aircraft floor beams.
3. The multi-function support assembly of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle systems are selected from the group consisting of: wire bundles, individual wires, conduits, pipes, and ducts.
4. The multi-function support assembly of claim 1 , wherein the support hardware is selected from the group consisting of: wire hangars, wire support posts, duct support brackets, and clamps.
5. The multi-function support assembly of claim 1 , wherein the support tray has a length of 1-60 feet and a width of 12-20 inches.
6. The multi-function support assembly of claim 1 , wherein each support bracket includes 5-20 hardware mounts spaced 1-4 inches apart.
7. The multi-function support assembly of claim 1 , wherein the support brackets are formed of synthetic resin materials.
8. The multi-function support assembly of claim 1 , wherein the support tray is formed of metal and sized and configured to provide electromagnetic shielding and structural shielding for the vehicle systems and for structurally stabilizing the structures in the vehicle to which the support tray is attached.
9. A multi-function support assembly for supporting aircraft systems on aircraft structures, the multi-function support assembly comprising:
an inverted U-shaped support tray formed of electrically conductive materials and comprising:
an elongated central portion having upper and lower surfaces, left and right edges, front and rear edges, and rows of apertures extending through the upper and lower surfaces; and
a pair of transversely-extending legs depending from the left and right edges of the central portion; and
a plurality of support brackets formed of electrically insulative materials and attached to and spaced along a length of the support tray, each support bracket comprising:
a pair of attachment lugs that each attach to one of the transversely-extending legs of the support tray and that attach the support bracket and support tray to one of the structures in the aircraft;
a support link connecting the attachment lugs and attached to the upper surface of the central portion of the support tray; and
a plurality of hardware mounts depending from the support link and extending through the apertures in the support tray for coupling with support hardware to which the aircraft systems may be attached so the aircraft systems are supported from and shielded by the support tray.
10. The multi-function support assembly of claim 9 , wherein the aircraft structures are aircraft floor beams.
11. The multi-function support assembly of claim 9 , wherein the aircraft systems comprise wire bundles, individual wires, conduits, pipes, and ducts.
12. The multi-function support assembly of claim 9 , wherein the support hardware comprises wire hangers, wire support posts, duct support brackets, and clamps.