ARRANGEMENT FOR AN AIRCRAFT, SAID ARRANGEMENT WITH A MAT AND A TANK OF EXTINGUISHER LIQUID

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to an assembly for an aircraft, said assembly comprising a mast and a tank containing an extinguishing fluid, as well as an aircraft comprising at least one such assembly. STATE OF THE PRIOR ART

[0002] An aircraft typically has at least one nacelle inside which is arranged an engine, for example a turbojet engine. The nacelle and the engine are attached to the structure of the aircraft by means of a mast fixed under the wing of the aircraft.

[0003] To prevent damage to the aircraft structure when the engine catches fire, the aircraft is equipped with a fire-fighting system that consists of two tanks.

[0004] There Fig. 8 shows a state-of-the-art assembly 800 which comprises a mast 801 and two tanks 802 which are installed in the mast 801 and which each contain an extinguishing fluid. Each tank 802 is spherical and for each tank 802, the mast 801 has a window 804 which passes through a side wall of the mast 801 and through which the tank 802 is introduced and fixed inside the mast 801.

[0005] Each tank 802 is equipped with a discharge head 806 which includes a seal that closes the tank 802 and an explosive cartridge that destroys the seal when activated. For each tank 802, the fire suppression system also includes a discharge pipe 808 that extends inside the mast 801 between the discharge head 806 and the engine. The destruction of the seal releases the extinguishing fluid which then flows into the discharge pipe 808 towards the engine.

[0006] For environmental reasons, currently used fire extinguishers, such as Halon, must be replaced with new fire extinguishers. These new fire extinguishers require a larger volume to perform their function, and it is therefore necessary to enlarge each 802 tank.

[0007] Each tank 802 then becomes heavier and the space inside the mast 801 remains restricted, the handling and installation of the tank 802 becomes difficult. Documents US2021 / 101694, US2023 / 000697 and US2010 / 230122 describe tanks according to the prior art.

[0008] Therefore, it is necessary to find a different installation that facilitates the installation and removal of each tank. STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide an assembly for an aircraft, where said assembly comprises a mast and at least one tank containing an extinguishing fluid, and for the or each tank a system which ensures simple and rapid installation of the tank in the mast.

[0010] For this purpose, a set is proposed for an aircraft, said set comprising: a mast extending in a longitudinal direction and comprising a frame and two side walls arranged on either side of the frame, each pierced with a window, at least one tank comprising fixing means, a hooking system arranged to suspend the or each tank inside the mast opposite the windows, for each tank, a carriage having a cradle intended to receive the tank, the carriage being mounted inside the movable chassis in translation relative to the frame parallel to a translation direction generally parallel to the longitudinal direction alternately between a position of installation where the carriage is arranged so that the cradle is opposite the windows and under the tank and a position of use where the carriage is arranged so that the cradle is not opposite the windows, for each tank,fixing elements which ensure the fixing of the tank fixing means on the cradle, and for each trolley, a locking system alternately taking a locking position in which the locking system blocks the trolley in the use position or a free position in which the locking system does not block the trolley.

[0011] Such an assembly allows for quick and easy removal and installation of the tank inside the mast.

[0012] Advantageously, the attachment system comprises a horizontal bar perpendicular to the direction of translation and secured to the chassis and a hook secured to the tank and taking the form of an L arranged to attach to the bar and open on the side opposite the position of use.

[0013] Advantageously, the assembly comprises two rails secured to the chassis and the carriage is mounted to slide on said rails by means of a sliding connection.

[0014] Advantageously, the carriage comprises two intermediate rails, each of which is slidably mounted on one of the rails by means of a sliding connection, and the cradle has two end rails, each of which is slidably mounted on one of the intermediate rails by means of a sliding connection.

[0015] Advantageously, the locking system comprises, on either side of a median plane, a guide stud secured to the chassis and oriented towards the installation position, a housing made in the cradle, where the housing fits onto the stud in the use position, and a locking element which secures the cradle to the chassis in the use position.

[0016] Advantageously, each guide stud takes the form of an oblong-shaped element with the major axis oriented vertically and each housing takes the form of an oblong-shaped hole.

[0017] Advantageously, the assembly comprises two tanks and for one of the tanks, the translation to move from the installation position to the use position is carried out in the opposite direction to the translation to move from the installation position to the use position of the other tank.

[0018] The invention also proposes an aircraft comprising an assembly according to one of the preceding variants. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The above-mentioned and other features of the invention will become more clearly apparent from the following description of an exemplary embodiment, said description being made in relation to the accompanying drawings, among which: [ Fig. 1 ] is a side view of an aircraft according to the invention, [ Fig. 2 ] is a side view of an assembly according to the invention in a first position of said assembly, [ Fig. 3 ] is the same side view as that of the Fig. 2 in a second position of said set, [ Fig. 4 ] is a perspective view of a detail of the embodiment of the invention, [ Fig. 5 ] is a representation of a fastening system implemented in the assembly according to the invention, [ Fig. 6 ] is a perspective view of an example of a trolley implemented in the assembly according to the invention, [ Fig. 7 ] is a perspective view of an example of a carriage locking system of the Fig. 6 , And [ Fig. 8 ] is a perspective view of a set of the state of the art. DETAILED PRESENTATION OF IMPLEMENTATION METHODS

[0020] In the following description, terms relating to a position are taken with reference to an aircraft in a normal flight position, that is to say as it is represented on the Fig. 1 .

[0021] In the following description, and by convention, we call X the longitudinal direction of the turbojet which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft and oriented forward, we call Y the transverse direction which is horizontal when the aircraft is on the ground, and Z the vertical direction which is vertical when the aircraft is on the ground, these three directions X, Y and Z being orthogonal to each other.

[0022] There Fig. 1 shows an aircraft 10 which comprises a fuselage 11 on each side of which is fixed a wing 13 which carries an engine 14 such as for example a double-flow turbojet.

[0023] For each engine 14, the aircraft 10 also includes a mast 12 which ensures the attachment of the engine 14 under the wing 13.

[0024] For each engine 14, the aircraft 10 comprises a fire-fighting system 100 which comprises at least one tank 102a-b filled with an extinguishing fluid and, for each tank 102a-b, a discharge pipe 104 which extends between said tank 102a-b and the engine 14 supported by said mast 12. In the embodiment of the invention presented here, there are two tanks 102a-b, but the invention applies in the same way for a single tank 102a-b. In the remainder of the description, unless otherwise specified, reference is made to a single tank 102a.

[0025] As with the prior art, the reservoir 102a is equipped with a discharge head which is arranged to release the extinguishing fluid to the discharge line 104 when needed.

[0026] THE Figs. 2 à 4 show an assembly 50 which includes the mast 12 and the tank 102a.

[0027] The mast 12 conventionally extends in the longitudinal direction X and comprises a structure consisting of a frame 12a and walls fixed around the frame 12a.

[0028] The frame 12a consists, for example, of several profiles fixed to each other.

[0029] Among the walls, there are at least two side walls 12b which extend on either side of a vertical median plane XZ of the mast 12. The two side walls 12b are thus fixed on either side of the frame 12a in planes which are generally vertical and parallel to the median plane.

[0030] Each side wall 12b is pierced by a window 18 (seen in the background on the Figs. 2 And 3 ) which allows access to the interior of the mast 12 and the chassis 12a from the exterior of the mast 12 and the window 18 is sized to allow the passage of the tank 102a. The two windows 18 are arranged opposite each other relative to the median plane XZ.

[0031] The tank 102a is equipped with fixing means 112 which are arranged on either side of the median plane XZ when the tank 102a is in place. As explained below, when the tank 102a is placed in the mast 12 through the window 18, fixing means 112 are accessible from each window 18. The fixing means 112 are here tabs. The fixing means 112 cooperate with fixing elements to ensure the fixing of the tank 102a inside the mast 12 when the tank 102a is in place. The assembly 50 also includes a hooking system 210 which is arranged to suspend the tank 102a inside the mast 12 opposite the windows 18. The suspension is releasable, that is to say that the tank 102a can be unhooked easily, or even automatically as described below.To lighten the assembly 50, the attachment system 210 can be removable, that is to say dismountable and removed after the installation of the tank 102a-b.

[0032] The assembly 50 also includes a carriage 202 which is mounted inside the frame 12a and one embodiment of which is shown in Fig. 6 . Of course, when there are several 102a-b tanks, there is one 202 cart per 102a-b tank.

[0033] In the embodiment of the invention presented in the Fig. 6 , the carriage 202 is mounted to move in translation parallel to a translation direction T relative to the chassis 12a. For this purpose, the assembly 50 comprises two rails 602 which are integral with the chassis 12a and along which the carriage 202 slides thanks to a sliding connection between the carriage 202 and the rails 602. The two rails 602 extend parallel to the translation direction T.

[0034] The carriage 202 has a cradle 204 intended to receive the tank 102a and the carriage 202 is movable relative to the chassis 12a alternately between a positioning position ( Fig. 3 ) and a position of use ( Fig. 2 ).

[0035] In the position of installation, the carriage 202 is arranged so that the cradle 204 is opposite the windows 18 and under the tank 102a which is suspended from the attachment system 210 and in the position of use, the carriage 202 is arranged so that the cradle 204 is not opposite the windows 18.

[0036] In the embodiment of the invention presented on the Figs. 2 à 4 And 6 , the carriage 202 moves in translation parallel to the translation direction T which is parallel to the median plane XZ and generally parallel to the longitudinal direction X. In the embodiment of the invention presented in Figs. 2 And 3, the translation direction T is slightly upwards towards the rear of the mast 12 relative to the longitudinal direction X. Depending on the case, the carriage 202 therefore moves here towards the front of the mast 12 to reach the position of installation or the rear of the mast 12 to reach the position of use.

[0037] The fixing means 112 are fixed to the cradle 204 using fixing elements such as screws which are screwed, through the tabs, into the cradle 204 in bores 204a provided for this purpose.

[0038] The installation of the 102a tank consists of: placing the carriage 202 in the use position, i.e. outside the windows 18 to leave the space free between the windows 18, introducing the tank 102a into the frame 12a through one of the windows 18, suspending the tank 102a in the frame 12a using the hooking system 210, moving the carriage 202 into the position of installation, i.e. placing the cradle 204 under the tank 102a, fixing the fixing means 112 to the cradle 204 from the outside of the mast 12 through the windows 18 using the fixing elements, for example by fitting screws, and moving the carriage 202 into the use position by releasing the tank 102a from the hooking system 210.

[0039] The assembly 50 also includes a locking system 700, one embodiment of which is shown in Fig. 7 and which alternately takes a locking position or a free position. In the locking position, the locking system 700 blocks the carriage 202 in the use position and in the free position, the locking system 700 does not block the carriage 202 which is then free to move from the use position to the installation position and vice versa. Of course, when there are several tanks 102a-b and therefore several carriages 202, there is one locking system 700 per carriage 202.

[0040] With such an assembly 50, the installation of the tank is facilitated because the tank 102a is placed on a mobile carriage 202 and it can be retracted towards the rear of the mast 12. Furthermore, by shifting the tank 102a towards the rear in the use position, this leaves the possibility of placing another tank 102b which is then shifted oppositely towards the front in the use position.

[0041] THE Figs. 2 And3 thus show a second tank 102b which is already placed in the use position and which is arranged towards the front of the mast 12. The transition from the use position to the installation position is thus reversed with respect to the first tank 102a. The translation directions of each tank 102a-b may be slightly different, but they remain generally parallel to the longitudinal direction X and therefore generally horizontal. The term generally is understood in the sense that the tank 102a-b moves alternately towards the front and rear of the mast 12. Thus, in general, when the assembly 50 comprises two tanks 102a-b, for one of the tanks 102a-b, the translation to pass from the installation position to the use position is carried out in the opposite direction to the translation to pass from the installation position to the use position of the other tank 102b-a.

[0042] The cradle 204 has at least a first bearing face 206 facing upwards and each fixing means 112 has a second bearing face 208 facing downwards and when the reservoir 102a is in place on the cradle 204, each second bearing face 208 bears against a first bearing face 206.

[0043] In the embodiment of the invention, the cradle 204 has two first support faces 206 arranged on either side of the median plane XZ.

[0044] The attachment system 210, one embodiment of which is shown in Fig. 5 , comprises a bar 212 which is horizontal and perpendicular to the translation direction T, that is to say to the median plane XZ. The bar 212 is integral with the chassis 12a.

[0045] As shown by the Figs. 2 And 3, when there are several tanks 102a-b, the attachment system 210 may comprise a bar 212 per tank 102a-b depending on the position of the cradle 204 in the installation position.

[0046] The attachment system 210 also comprises a hook 214 which is integral with the reservoir 102a and which here takes the form of an L which is arranged to attach to the bar 212. The hook 214 is open on the side opposite the position of use. Thus, when the reservoir 102a is moved from the placement position to the position of use, it separates from the bar 212.

[0047] With such an arrangement, the detachment of the tank 102a from the bar 212 is then automatic when the carriage 202 is moved to the position of use.

[0048] The position of the bar 212 and the length of the hook 214 are provided so that, when the fixing means 112 are fixed to the cradle 204 by the fixing elements, the pressure exerted by the hook 214 on the bar 212 is sufficiently low to allow the movement of the carriage 202 and the movement of the hook 214 relative to the bar 212.

[0049] Of course, the attachment system 210 may take another form. For example, the attachment system may take the form of a bar similar to that described above and a clamp that grips the bar and is releasable by opening the clamp by a technician.

[0050] In the embodiment of the invention presented in the Fig. 6 , each rail 602 is fixed at each of its ends to the frame 12a. In the embodiment of the invention presented in the Fig. 6 , a first end is fixed via a first fitting 604 of the chassis 12a and a second end is fixed via a second fitting 605 of the chassis 12a. In the embodiment of the invention presented here, the first end is integral with the associated fitting 604, i.e. on the chassis 12a, via an axis 606 and the second end is fixed to a lug 605a of the second fitting 605.

[0051] In the embodiment of the invention presented in the Fig. 6 , the carriage 202 takes the form of a telescopic system which slides along the rails 602. The carriage 202 thus comprises two intermediate rails 608, where each is slidably mounted on one of the rails 602 by means of a sliding connection, and the cradle 204 also has two terminal rails 610 where each is slidably mounted on one of the intermediate rails 608 by means of a sliding connection.

[0052] Each sliding connection is not shown in detail, but it can take any form known to those skilled in the art.

[0053] To ensure proper positioning of the cradle 204 in the position of use, the locking system 700 comprises guiding and fixing elements on either side of the median plane XZ.

[0054] There Fig. 7 shows the guide and fixing elements which are on one side of the median plane XZ, and the guide and fixing elements which are on the other side are symmetrical. The locking system 700 thus comprises, on either side of the median plane XZ, a guide stud 702 secured to the chassis 12a and oriented towards the position of installation and a housing 704 made in the cradle 204, here in a pallet 706 of said cradle 204. In the embodiment of the invention presented in the Fig. 7 , the guide stud 702 is secured to the second fitting 605.

[0055] When the cradle 204 reaches the position of use, the housing 704 fits onto the stud 702 so as to fix the position of the cradle 204 relative to the chassis 12a.

[0056] The housing 704 and the guide stud 702 are sized so that the fit between them is of the sliding or just sliding type.

[0057] The locking system 700 thus comprises, on either side of the median plane XZ, a locking element 708 which secures the cradle 204 to the chassis 12a in the position of use. In the embodiment of the invention presented here, the locking element 708 takes the form of a screw which is screwed, through the housing 704, into a hole 710 made in the guide stud 702.

[0058] In the embodiment of the invention presented in the Fig. 7, each guide stud 702 takes the form of an oblong-shaped element with the major axis oriented vertically and each housing 704 takes the form of a corresponding oblong-shaped hole. The oblong shapes allow better alignment of the cradle 204 with respect to an optimal use position.

Claims

1. Assembly (50) for an aircraft (10), said assembly (50) comprising: - a pylon (12) extending in a longitudinal direction (X) and comprising a frame (12a) and two lateral walls (12b) arranged on either side of the frame (12a), each pierced with an aperture (18), - at least one reservoir (102a-b) comprising fastening means (112), - a hooking system (210) arranged to suspend the or each reservoir (102a-b) inside the pylon (12) facing the apertures (18), characterized in that said assembly comprises: - for each reservoir (102a-b), a carriage (202) having a cradle (204) intended to receive the reservoir (102a-b), the carriage (202) being mounted inside the frame (12a) so as to be movable in translation with respect to the frame (12a) parallel to a translation direction (T) generally parallel to the longitudinal direction (X) alternately between an installation position, in which the carriage (202) is arranged in such a way that the cradle (204) is facing the apertures (18) and is under the reservoir (102a-b), and a use position, in which the carriage (202) is arranged in such a way that the cradle (204) is not facing the apertures (18), - for each reservoir (102a-b), fastening elements which fasten the fastening means (112) of the reservoir (102a-b) to the cradle (204), and - for each carriage (202), a locking system (700) alternately adopting a locking position, in which the locking system (700) immobilizes the carriage (202) in the use position, or a free position, in which the locking system (700) does not immobilize the carriage (202).

2. Assembly (50) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the hooking system (210) comprises a horizontal bar (212) perpendicular to the translation direction (T) and secured to the frame (12a), and a hook (214) secured to the reservoir (102a) and taking the form of an L which is arranged to hook on the bar (212) and is open on the side opposite to the use position.

3. Assembly (50) according to either of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that it comprises two rails (602) secured to the frame (12a), and in that the carriage (202) is mounted so as to slide on said rails (602) by way of a slide connection.

4. Assembly (50) according to Claim 3, characterized in that the carriage (202) comprises two intermediate rails (608), where each is mounted so as to slide on one of the rails (602) by means of a slide connection, and in that the cradle (204) has two end rails (610), where each is mounted so as to slide on one of the intermediate rails (608) by means of a slide connection.

5. Assembly (50) according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the locking system (700) comprises, on either side of a median plane (XZ), a guide block (702) secured to the frame (12a) and oriented towards the installation position, a receptacle (704) produced in the cradle (204), where the receptacle (704) fits onto the block (702) in the use position, and a locking element (708) which secures the cradle (204) to the frame (12a) in the use position.

6. Assembly (50) according to Claim 5, characterized in that each guide block (702) takes the form of an element of oblong shape with the major axis oriented vertically, and each receptacle (704) takes the form of a hole of oblong shape.

7. Assembly (50) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises two reservoirs (102a-b), and in that, for one of the reservoirs (102a-b), the translational movement for passing from the installation position to the use position is carried out in the opposite direction to the translational movement for passing from the installation position to the use position of the other reservoir (102b-a).

8. Aircraft (10) comprising an assembly (50) according to one of the preceding claims.