ENGINE MAST FOR MOUNTING A PROPULSION SYSTEM ON AN AIRCRAFT
The two-part reactor mast design with interlocking teeth and fixing means addresses the limitation of using different materials while ensuring reliability and security, facilitating simple and secure assembly.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2023013316
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-11-30
- Publication Date
- 2025-06-06
AI Technical Summary
Existing reactor masts for aircraft propulsion systems are limited in their ability to utilize different materials while maintaining reliability and security.
A two-part reactor mast design featuring lower and upper half-shells with interlocking teeth and notches, along with fixing means such as screws and nuts, allows for secure and reliable assembly using different materials.
The design ensures simple assembly, prevents displacement of half-shells, and maintains alignment, resulting in a reliable and secure reactor mast that can utilize different materials.
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: ENGINE MAST FOR MOUNTING A PROPULSION SYSTEM ON AN AIRCRAFT Technical field
[0001] The present invention relates to a reactor mast for coupling a propulsion system to a wing of an aircraft, an aircraft comprising a propulsion system and such a reactor mast for coupling the propulsion system to the wing, as well as a method of assembling such a reactor mast. STATE OF THE PRIOR ART
[0002] Conventionally, for an aircraft, a propulsion system comprises for example a turbojet engine which is fixed to a wing of the aircraft using a reactor mast. The reactor mast is generally made up of a primary structure formed of a box consisting of an upper spar, a lower spar and two side panels connecting the two spars and internal ribs distributed along the box. These elements, when they are metallic, are most generally fixed to each other by serial screws or by welding.
[0003] Although current reactor masts are satisfactory, there is a need to find a different solution for manufacturing the reactor mast which allows the use of different materials to manufacture the elements of the reactor mast, while ensuring that the latter is reliable and secure. Statement of the invention
[0004] An object of the present invention is to propose a reactor mast in two half-shells, for mounting a propulsion system on an aircraft, where the reactor mast is simple to assemble and where the joining of the half-shells together is reliable and secure.
[0005] For this purpose, a reactor mast is proposed for mounting a propulsion system on an aircraft, said reactor mast having a vertical median plane and comprising a primary structure which comprises:
[0006] - a lower half-shell comprising a lower spar and two side walls starboard and port, integral with said lower spar, where an upper edge of each side wall comprises a first portion with teeth presenting a succession of first notches and first hollows,
[0007] - an upper half-shell comprising an upper spar and two panels starboard and port sides integral with said upper spar, where the upper spar forms an upper face of the reactor mast, where the lower spar forms a lower face of the reactor mast, where an assembly of the starboard side wall with the panel starboard side forms a starboard side face of the reactor mast, where an assembly of the port side wall with the port side panel forms a port side face of the reactor mast, and where a lower edge of each side panel comprises a second portion with teeth having a succession of second notches and second hollows of shapes corresponding to the shapes of the first notches and the first hollows, where said first notches are received in said second hollows and said second notches are received in said first hollows; and
[0008] - first fixing means ensuring the fixing of the starboard side wall to the starboard side panel and from port side wall to port side panel.
[0009] Thus, with such an assembly a two-part reactor mast is provided. Such a reactor mast is simple to assemble and the joining of the half-shells together is reliable and secure. The implementation of the first and second portions with teeth where the notches are received in the hollows, makes it possible to prevent the displacement of the lower and upper half-shells between them along the longitudinal axis of the reactor mast. In addition, the fixing means make it possible to keep the half-shells pressed against each other along the vertical axis while keeping them aligned along the transverse axis so as to prevent any displacement of the half-shells.
[0010] According to a particular aspect, each first portion takes the form of a strip secured to the corresponding side wall and extends over the exterior of the corresponding side wall.
[0011] According to another particular aspect, the lower half-shell has at least one reinforcing rib at the level of each first hollow fixed between said strip and the side wall.
[0012] According to a particular aspect, said first fixing means comprise fixing screws and nuts of the barrel nut type, where said upper half-shell comprises, near each second notch and / or each second hollow, a blind hole whose axis extends generally perpendicular to the vertical median plane, each blind hole receiving a nut, and where each strip comprises for each blind hole, a first drilling which successively passes through said strip and the upper half-shell to open into said blind hole, each first drilling receiving a fixing screw cooperating with a nut.
[0013] According to another particular aspect, said first and second notches have a prism shape whose bases are trapezoids.
[0014] According to a particular aspect, the upper half-shell and the lower half-shell are made of different materials.
[0015] According to another particular aspect, the upper half-shell is made of a composite material and the lower half-shell is made of metal.
[0016] According to a particular aspect, the reactor mast comprises at least one inter rib quadrilateral internal median extending between said lower and upper half-shells, each internal intermediate rib further extending generally vertically and transversely to said vertical median plane and comprising for each half-shell, two second holes. Said lower half-shell comprises, for each intermediate rib, a pair of first protrusions projecting from an inner surface of said lower half-shell parallel to the internal intermediate rib and between which the internal intermediate rib is arranged. Said upper half-shell comprises, for each intermediate rib, a pair of second protrusions projecting from an inner surface of said upper half-shell parallel to the internal intermediate rib and between which the internal intermediate rib is arranged.Said protrusions each comprise a third drilling extending coaxially with the second corresponding drilling of said internal intermediate rib, the reactor mast comprising second fixing means comprising a rod passing through the second and third drillings.
[0017] According to a particular aspect, the engine pylon comprises at least one first lower rib and at least one first upper rib. The first lower rib extends in the lower half-shell and the first upper rib extends in the upper half-shell and each first rib further extends generally vertically and transversely to said vertical median plane. Each first lower rib is integral with said lower half-shell and comprises, on an upper edge, a centering pin extending generally parallel to the vertical median plane or a housing. Each first upper rib is integral with said upper half-shell and comprises, on a lower edge, respectively a housing receiving said centering pin or a centering pin extending generally parallel to the vertical median plane and received in said housing.
[0018] According to a particular aspect, the engine pylon comprises at least one second lower rib and at least one second upper rib, where the second lower rib extends into the lower half-shell and the second upper rib extends into the upper half-shell and each second rib further extends generally vertically and transversely to said vertical median plane. Each second lower rib is integral with said lower half-shell and comprises a first bearing surface extending generally vertically and perpendicularly to the vertical median plane. Each second upper rib is integral with said upper half-shell and comprises a second bearing surface extending generally vertically and perpendicularly to the vertical median plane and coming into contact with said first bearing surface.The first bearing surface has a fourth bore and the second bearing surface has a fifth bore. coaxially with said fourth drilling, the reactor mast comprising third fixing means comprising a rod passing through the fourth and fifth drillings.
[0019] The invention also provides an aircraft comprising a propulsion system and a reactor mast as described above, where the propulsion system is attached to the reactor mast.
[0020] The invention also proposes a method of assembling a reactor mast as described previously comprising the steps of:
[0021] - supply of the lower half-shell;
[0022] - supply of the upper half-shell;
[0023] - positioning the upper half-shell against said lower half-shell, where said first notches are received in said second recesses and wherein said second notches are received in said first recesses;
[0024] - fixing the starboard side wall to the starboard side panel and the side wall port to the port side panel by means of said first fixing means. Brief description of the drawings
[0025] The above-mentioned features of the invention, as well as others, will appear more clearly on reading the following description of an exemplary embodiment, said description being made in relation to the attached drawings, among which:
[0026] [Fig-1] is a side view of an aircraft according to the invention;
[0027] [Fig.2] is a perspective view of a reactor mast according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0028] [Fig.3] is an exploded view partially illustrating the engine mast of [Fig.2];
[0029] [Fig.4] is a sectional view along the YZ plane of the reactor mast of [Fig.2];
[0030] [Fig.5] is a side view partially illustrating the engine mast of [Fig.2];
[0031] [Fig.6] is a front and sectional view along the YZ plane illustrating a first example of intermediate rib of the reactor mast of [Fig.2];
[0032] [Fig.7] is a front and sectional view along the YZ plane illustrating a second example of intermediate rib of the reactor mast of [Fig.2];
[0033] [Fig.8] is a front and sectional view along the YZ plane illustrating a third example of an intermediate rib of the reactor mast of [Fig.2], and
[0034] [Fig.9] schematically illustrates a method of assembling a reactor mast according to the invention.
[0035] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT
[0036] With reference to [Fig.l], an aircraft 10 comprises a propulsion system 102, for example of the turbojet (as illustrated) or turboprop type. The propulsion system 102 is linked to a wing 104 of the aircraft 10 via a mast reactor 100 according to the invention. The propulsion system 102 is fixed to the reactor mast 100 by any suitable fixing means known to those skilled in the art such as those disclosed in document US-A-2016 / 0221682.
[0037] In the following description, the terms relating to a position are taken with reference to an aircraft in normal flight position, that is to say as it is shown in [Fig.l] and the "front" and "rear" positions are taken with respect to the front and rear of the propulsion system 102 and with respect to the direction of advance F of the aircraft 10 when the propulsion system 102 is operating.
[0038] In the following description, and by convention, the longitudinal axis of the propulsion system, which is horizontal when the aircraft is on the ground, is called X, the transverse axis, which is horizontal when the aircraft is on the ground, is called Y, and the vertical axis, which is vertical when the aircraft is on the ground, these three axes X, Y and Z being orthogonal to each other. The engine pylon 100 here has a vertical median plane XZ which extends parallel to the X axis and which cuts the engine pylon 100 into two parts, port and starboard, with a port part located on one side of the vertical median plane XZ and a starboard part on the other side of the vertical median plane XZ.
[0039] With reference to figures 2 and 3, the reactor mast 100 comprises a rigid structure forming a box and also called primary structure 102.
[0040] The primary structure 102 comprises a lower half-shell 200 and an upper half-shell 300, the fixing of which to one another is ensured by first fixing means 400.
[0041] More specifically, the lower half-shell 200 comprises a lower spar 202 and two starboard 204 and port 206 side walls secured to the lower spar 202. An upper edge 210 of each side wall 204, 206 comprises a first portion 212 with teeth having a succession of first notches 214 and first hollows 216. The term upper edge 210 means the edge of each side wall 204, 206 which is oriented towards the upper half-shell 300. Preferably, the first portion 212 with teeth may be a single continuous portion along the upper edge 210 or comprise a plurality of tooth sections spaced along the upper edge 210.
[0042] More precisely, the upper half-hull 300 comprises an upper spar 302 and two starboard 304 and port 306 side panels secured to the upper spar 302. The starboard 304 and port 306 side panels extend towards the lower half-hull 200. The upper spar 302 forms an upper face of the engine pylon 100 and the lower spar 202 forms a lower face of the engine pylon 100. In addition, an assembly of the starboard side wall 204 with the starboard side panel 304 forms a starboard side face of the engine pylon 100. In the same way, an assembly of the port side wall 206 with the panel port side 306 forms a port side face of the reactor mast 100.
[0043] A lower edge 310 of each side panel 304 and 306 comprises a second portion 312 with teeth having a succession of second notches 314 and second hollows 316 of shapes corresponding respectively to the shapes of the first hollows 216 and the first notches 214. By lower edge 310 is meant the edge of the side panels 304 and 306 which is oriented towards the lower half-shell 200. Preferably, the second portion 312 with teeth can be a single continuous portion along the upper edge 210 or comprise a plurality of tooth sections spaced along the upper edge 210.
[0044] More preferably, the first 212 and second 312 portions extend generally parallel to the longitudinal axis X and the notches 214 and 314 protrude relative to the edge 210 and 310 generally parallel to the vertical axis Z.
[0045] Each lower edge 310 and each upper edge 210 extends generally parallel to the longitudinal axis X and in the same way, the successions of notches 214, 314 and hollows 314, 316 extend generally parallel to the longitudinal axis X.
[0046] The lower edge 310 of the starboard side panel 304 rests on and in line with the upper edge 210 of the starboard side wall 204 and the lower edge 310 of the port side panel 306 rests on and in line with the upper edge 210 of the port side wall 206.
[0047] More specifically, the first notches 214 are oriented towards the second hollows 316 and the second notches 314 are oriented towards the first hollows 216 such that the first notches 216 are received in the second hollows 316 and the second notches 314 are received in the first hollows 216.
[0048] According to the embodiment described, the first fixing means 400 ensure the fixing of the starboard side wall 204 to the starboard side panel 304 and of the port side wall 206 to the port side panel 306.
[0049] The implementation of the first 212 and second 312 portions with teeth where the notches 212, 314 are received in the hollows 216, 316 makes it possible to prevent the displacement of the lower 200 and upper 300 half-shells between them along the longitudinal axis X.
[0050] Furthermore, the fixing means 400 make it possible to keep the half-shells 200 and 300 pressed against each other along the vertical axis Z while keeping them aligned along the transverse axis Y so as to prevent any movement of the half-shells along the axes Y and Z.
[0051] Thus, a two-part reactor mast 100 is provided. Such a reactor mast 100 is simple to assemble and the joining of the half-shells together is reliable and secure.
[0052] [Fig.4] shows a particular aspect of the reactor mast 100 in which each first portion 212 takes the form of a strip 208 integral with the corresponding side wall 204, 206 and extends on the outside of the corresponding side wall 204, 206, and where the first notches 214 and the first hollows 216 are arranged on the strip 208, that is to say opposite the side wall 204, 206.
[0053] As illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, the strip 208 extends substantially perpendicular to the side wall 204, towards the outside of the lower half-shell 200, to provide a relatively wide and stable bearing surface on which the starboard 304 and port 306 side panels of the upper half-shell 300 will rest. Thus, the positioning of the upper half-shell 300 on the lower half-shell 200 is facilitated, which then simplifies the fixing and therefore the assembly of the half-shells 200 and 300.
[0054] Such a strip 208 also makes it possible to facilitate the use of the first fixing means 400, as described in more detail in the remainder of this description.
[0055] Preferably, and as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4 in particular, the lower half-shell 200 has at least one reinforcing rib 220 at each first hollow 216, each rib 220 being fixed between the strip 208 and the side wall 204, 206. In this example, a reinforcing rib 220 is arranged at each end of each hollow 216 (or of each notch 214). In other words, a reinforcing rib 220 is implemented substantially at each junction of a hollow 216 and a notch 214. In this way, the mechanical stresses received on the strip 208, in particular from the upper half-shell 300, are transmitted to the side walls 204 and 206.
[0056] Furthermore, this particular arrangement of the reinforcing ribs 220 at each junction of a notch 214 with a hollow 216 allows free access to the first fixing means 400 described in more detail in the remainder of this description.
[0057] According to a particular aspect, the first 214 and second 314 notches have a prism shape whose bases, here in a plane parallel to the vertical median plane XZ, are trapezoids and whose heights are here perpendicular to the vertical median plane XZ. In other words, the notches 214 and 314 have a profile (in accordance with the view of [Fig. 5]) whose shape is a truncated triangle. It would be easy to envisage notches 214 and 314 having a completely different shape, such as a truncated pyramid for example, allowing the upper half-shell 300 to rest, or even to fit, on the lower half-shell 200 while preventing a displacement of the half-shells 200 and 300 between them along the X axis.
[0058] It is obviously understood that the hollows 216 and 316 which are configured to receive the notches 214 and 314 have a shape corresponding to the notches 214 and 314.
[0059] Optionally, a mounting clearance may be provided between the notches 214, 314 and the recesses 216, 316. Preferably, a mounting clearance is provided at least along the Z axis. between the top of the notches 214, 314 and the base of the hollows 216, 316.
[0060] According to a particular aspect, the reactor mast 100 of the invention is particularly suitable for implementing a hybrid reactor mast, i.e. comprising half-shells 200 and 300 made from different materials. Preferably, the upper half-shell 300 is made from a composite material and the lower half-shell 200 is made from metal. In this way, it is possible to provide a lighter reactor mast while ensuring high rigidity.
[0061] In a variant, the half-shells can be manufactured from the same material. In this case, the upper half-shell 300 and the lower half-shell 200 are preferably manufactured from metal. This thus makes it possible to provide a reactor mast having a contained manufacturing cost while guaranteeing optimal operation. More preferably, the half-shells 200 and 300 are manufactured from titanium.
[0062] As illustrated in detail in Figs. 3 to 5, the first fixing means 400 comprise fixing screws 402 and nuts 404. More precisely, the upper half-shell 300 comprises, near each second notch 314 and / or each second hollow 316, a blind hole 318 whose axis extends generally perpendicular to the vertical median plane XZ. Each blind hole 318 is configured to receive a nut 404, in particular of the barrel nut type. In addition, each strip 208 of the lower half-shell 200 comprises, for each blind hole 318, a first drilling 110 which successively passes through the strip 208 and the side panels 304, 306 considered of the upper half-shell 300 to open into the blind hole 318. Each first drilling 110 is further configured to receive a fixing screw 402 which cooperates with the nut 404 received in the blind hole 318.
[0063] In this way, the fixing of the upper half-shell 300 to the lower half-shell 200 is secure and simple to implement. Indeed, the barrel nut 404 can be threaded into the blind hole 318 without the need to hold it in position. The first fixing means 400 being easily accessible from the outside of the engine mast 100, the fixing screw 402 can be easily inserted into the corresponding first hole 110 and its tightening is facilitated due to its accessibility for the operator.
[0064] As indicated previously, when there are reinforcing ribs 220, these are arranged at the junction of each second notch 314 and second hollow 316 and the first drilling 110 is arranged between the reinforcing ribs 220 to facilitate access to the first drilling 110. The operations of fixing the half-shells 200 and 300 to each other are therefore facilitated and can be carried out by a single operator.
[0065] The first fixing means 400 also make it possible to prevent any movement of the half-shells 200 and 300 relative to each other along the axes Z and Y.
[0066] Preferably, the blind holes 318 are located close to (i.e., at a distance of about 20 cm) and above each second notch 314 and each second recess 316. More preferably, the blind holes 318 are centered relative to the second notches 314 and the second recesses 316.
[0067] Such first fixing means 400 also make it possible to drill the blind holes 318 of the upper half-shell 300 and / or the first drillings 110 prior to the assembly operations, which makes it possible to avoid carrying out a drilling operation on the assembly line and therefore to improve the rate of the latter. In addition, the accessibility of the fixing screws, from the outside of the engine mast 100 in particular, means that the tightening of the fixing screws 402 is relatively simple and quick for the operator. It is even possible to automate the tightening of the fixing screws 402 to further improve the rate of the assembly line.
[0068] [Fig. 6] illustrates a first example of an intermediate rib implemented in the engine pylon 100 of the invention. In this example, the engine pylon 100 comprises at least one quadrilateral internal intermediate rib 500 which extends between the lower 200 and upper 300 half-shells. Each internal intermediate rib 500 extends generally vertically and transversely to the vertical median plane XZ and comprises, for each half-shell 200, 300, two second holes 502. The lower half-shell 200 comprises, for each intermediate rib 500, a pair of first protrusions 230 projecting relative to an inner surface 209 of the lower half-shell 200 parallel to the internal intermediate rib 500 and between which the internal intermediate rib 500 is arranged.Similarly, the upper half-shell 300 comprises, for each intermediate rib 500, a pair of second protrusions 330 projecting relative to an inner surface 309 of the upper half-shell 300 parallel to the inner intermediate rib 500 and between which the inner intermediate rib 500 is arranged.
[0069] The protrusions 230, 330 each comprise a third drilling 232, 332 extending coaxially with the corresponding second drilling 502 of the internal intermediate rib 500.
[0070] The reactor mast 100 further comprises second fixing means which comprise a rod passing through the second 502 and third holes 232, 332.
[0071] Such intermediate ribs 500, extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X of the reactor mast 100 and being fixed to the lower half-shell 200 and to the upper half-shell 300, make it possible to prevent any movements of the half-shells 200 and 300 relative to each other along the axis Y.
[0072] Thus, the combination of the portions 212 and 312 with teeth (immobilization along the X axis), the first fixing means 400 (immobilization along the Z axis) and intermediate ribs 500 (immobilization along the Y axis) makes it possible to obtain a two-part reactor mast 100 which is simple to assemble, reliable and secure, so as to optimally transfer the stresses between the lower 200 and upper 300 half-shells.
[0073] Preferably, each internal intermediate rib 500 has a generally rectangular shape which corresponds to the internal shape of the engine pylon 100 when the lower 200 and upper 300 half-shells are assembled. The second holes 502 are thus preferentially arranged at each corner of the internal intermediate rib 500. In the same way, the first 230 protrusions are arranged at the corner between the lower spar 202 and the side walls 204 and 206, and the second protrusions 330 are arranged at the corner between the upper spar 302 and the side panels 304 and 306.
[0074] The second fixing means comprising a rod are not illustrated here. Nevertheless, it is understood that these second fixing means may be in the form of screws and nuts, rivets, or any other fixing element making it possible to fix the internal intermediate rib to the half-shells 200 and 300 via the second and third holes.
[0075] [Fig. 7] illustrates a second example of an intermediate rib implemented in the engine mast 100 of the invention. In this example, the engine mast 100 comprises at least one first lower rib 510a and at least one first upper rib 510b. More specifically, the first lower rib 510a extends into the lower half-shell 200 (i.e., within the lower half-shell 200 between the side walls 204 and 206) and the first upper rib 510b extends into the upper half-shell 300 (i.e., within the upper half-shell 300 between the side panels 304 and 306).
[0076] Each first rib 510a, 510b further extends generally vertically and transversely to the vertical median plane XZ. Each first lower rib 510a is integral with the lower half-shell 200 and comprises, on an upper edge 512a, a centering pin 514a extending generally parallel to the vertical median plane XZ. Correspondingly, each first upper rib 510b is integral with the upper half-shell 300 and comprises, on a lower edge 512b, a housing 514b receiving the centering pin 514a. Of course, it is possible to reverse the position of the housings 514b and the centering pins 514a.
[0077] The upper edge 512a is understood to mean the edge of the first lower rib 510a oriented towards the upper half-shell 300. In the same way, the lower edge 512b is understood to mean the edge of the first upper rib 510b oriented towards the lower half-shell 200.
[0078] Optionally, the first lower rib 510a and upper rib 510b are obtained by deposition of material and fusion of this material (DED for “Direct Energy Deposition” in English) when the half-shells 200 and 300 are made of metal.
[0079] The implementation of first lower ribs 510a and upper ribs 510b makes it possible to prevent any movement of the half-shells 200 and 300 relative to each other along the Y axis.
[0080] Thus, the combination of the portions 212 and 312 with teeth (immobilization along the X axis), the first fixing means 400 (immobilization along the Z axis) and the first lower ribs 510a and upper ribs 510b (immobilization along the Y axis) makes it possible to obtain a two-part reactor mast 100 which is simple to assemble, reliable and secure so as to optimally transfer the stresses between the lower 200 and upper 300 half-shells.
[0081] [Fig. 8] illustrates a third example of intermediate ribs implemented in the engine mast 100 of the invention. In this example, the engine mast 100 comprises at least one second lower rib 520a and at least one second upper rib 520b. More specifically, the second lower rib 520a extends into the lower half-shell 200 (i.e., within the lower half-shell 200 between the side walls 204 and 206) and the second upper rib 520b extends into the upper half-shell 300 (i.e., within the upper half-shell 300 between the side panels 304 and 306). Each second rib 520a, 520b further extends generally vertically and transversely to the vertical median plane XZ. Each second lower rib 520a is integral with the lower half-shell 200 and comprises a first bearing surface 524a extending generally vertically and perpendicularly to the vertical median plane XZ.In the same way, each second upper rib 520b is integral with the upper half-shell 300 and comprises a second bearing surface 524b extending generally vertically and perpendicularly to the vertical median plane XZ and comes into contact with the first bearing surface 524a.
[0082] The first bearing surface 524a comprises a fourth bore 526 and the second bearing surface 524b comprises a fifth bore 528 generally coaxial with the fourth bore 526.
[0083] The engine mast 100 comprises third fastening means which comprise a rod 529 passing through the fourth 526 and fifth 528 holes. The third fastening means comprising a rod are not illustrated here. Nevertheless, it is understood that these second fastening means may be in the form of screws and nuts, rivets, or any other fastening element making it possible to fasten the second lower rib 520a to the second upper rib 520b and 300 via the fourth 526 and fifth 528 holes.
[0084] Optionally, the second lower rib 520a and upper rib 520b are obtained by deposition of material and fusion of this material (DED for “Direct Energy Deposition” in English when the half-shells 200 and 300 are made of metal.
[0085] The implementation of second lower ribs 520a and upper ribs 520b makes it possible to prevent any movement of the half-shells 200 and 300 relative to each other along the Y axis.
[0086] Thus, the combination of the portions 212 and 312 with teeth (immobilization along the X axis), the first fixing means 400 (immobilization along the Z axis) and the second lower ribs 520a and upper ribs 520b (immobilization along the Y axis) makes it possible to obtain a two-part reactor mast 100 which is simple to assemble, reliable and secure so as to optimally transfer the stresses between the lower 200 and upper 300 half-shells.
[0087] It is understood that other variants of the intermediate ribs can be implemented without departing from the general principle of the present solution.
[0088] With reference to [Fig.9], the invention also relates to a method 9 for assembling a reactor mast 100 as described previously. For example, such a method may comprise steps of:
[0089] - supply 92 of the lower half-shell 200;
[0090] - supply 94 of the upper half-shell 300;
[0091] - positioning 96 of the upper half-shell 300 against the lower half-shell 300, by causing the first notches 216 to be received in the second recesses 316 and the second notches 314 to be received in the first recesses 216;
[0092] - fixing 98 of the starboard side wall 204 to the starboard side panel 304 and of the port side wall 206 to the port side panel 306 by means of said first fixing means 400.
[0093] In this way, it is easy to assemble the engine mast 100 of the invention. Indeed, the implementation of the first 212 and second 312 portions with teeth where the notches 212, 314 are received in the hollows 216, 316 makes it possible to prevent the displacement of the lower 200 and upper 300 half-shells between them along the longitudinal axis X before the fixing of the half-shells 200 and 300 between them. In addition, the fixing means 400 then make it possible to keep the half-shells 200 and 300 pressed against each other along the vertical axis Z while keeping them aligned along the transverse axis Y so as to prevent any displacement of the half-shells along the axes Y and Z after fixing, thus making it possible to provide a reliable and secure engine mast.
[0094] According to a particular aspect not illustrated, the fixing step 98 comprises when the first fixing means 400 comprise fixing screws 402 and nuts 404 of the barrel nut type, a sub-step of placing the barrel nuts 404 in the corresponding blind holes 318 of the upper half-shell 300 and a sub-step of tightening the fixing screws 402 which successively pass through the strip 208 and the half- upper hull 300 for each screw into a corresponding blind hole 318.
[0095] Thus, the fixing of the half-shells 200 and 300 to each other is simple and rapid since such first fixing means 400 are in particular easily accessible from the outside of the reactor mast 100.
Claims
Claims
1. Reactor mast (100) for mounting a propulsion system (102) on an aircraft (10), said reactor mast (100) having a vertical median plane (XZ) and comprising a primary structure (102) which comprises: - a lower half-shell (200) comprising a lower spar (202) and two starboard (204) and port (206) side walls secured to said lower spar (202), where an upper edge (210) of each side wall (204, 206) comprises a first portion (212) with teeth having a succession of first notches (214) and first hollows (216), - an upper half-shell (300) comprising an upper spar (302) and two starboard (304) and port (306) side panels secured to said upper spar (302), where the upper spar (302) forms an upper face of the reactor mast (100), where the lower spar (202) forms a lower face of the reactor mast (100),where an assembly of the starboard side wall (204) with the starboard side panel (304) forms a starboard side face of the engine mast (100), where an assembly of the port side wall (206) with the port side panel (306) forms a port side face of the engine mast (100), and where a lower edge (310) of each side panel (304, 306) comprises a second portion (312) with teeth having a succession of second notches (314) and second hollows (316) of shapes corresponding to the shapes of the first hollows (216) and the first notches (214), where said first notches (216) are received in said second hollows (316) and said second notches (314) are received in said first hollows (216); and - first fixing means (400) ensuring the fixing of the starboard side wall (204) to the starboard side panel (304) and of the port side wall (206) to the port side panel (306).,
2. Reactor mast (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that each first portion (212) takes the form of a strip (208) integral with the corresponding side wall (204, 206) and extends over the outside of the corresponding side wall (204, 206).
3. Reactor mast (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that the lower half-shell (200) has at least one reinforcing rib (220) at the level of each first hollow (216) fixed between said strip (208) and the side wall (204,206).
4. Reactor mast (100) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that said first fixing means (400) comprise fixing screws (402) and nuts (404) of the barrel nut type, where said upper half-shell (300) comprises, near each second notch (314) and / or each second hollow (316), a blind hole (318) whose axis extends generally perpendicular to the vertical median plane (XZ), each blind hole (318) receiving a nut (404), and where each strip (208) comprises, for each blind hole (318), a first bore (110) which successively passes through said strip (208) and the upper half-shell (300) to open into said blind hole (318), each first bore (110) receiving a fixing screw (402) cooperating with a nut (404).
5. Reactor mast (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said first (214) and second (314) notches have a prism shape whose bases are trapezoids.
6. Reactor mast (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the upper half-shell (300) and the lower half-shell (200) are made of different materials.
7. Reactor mast (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises at least one quadrilateral internal intermediate rib (500) extending between said lower (200) and upper (300) half-shells, each internal intermediate rib (500) further extending generally vertically and transversely to said vertical median plane (XZ) and comprising for each half-shell (200, 300), two second bores (502), where said lower half-shell (200) comprises, for each intermediate rib (500), a pair of first protrusions (230) projecting relative to an inner surface (209) of said lower half-shell (200) parallel to the internal intermediate rib (500) and between which the internal intermediate rib (500) is arranged, where said half-shell upper (300) comprises, for each intermediate rib (500),a pair of second protrusions (330) projecting from an inner surface (309) of said upper half-shell (300) parallel to the inner intermediate rib (500) and between which the inner intermediate rib (500) is arranged, and wherein said protrusions (230, 330) each comprise a third bore (232, 332) extending coaxially with the corresponding second bore (502) of said inner intermediate rib (500),
8.
9. the reactor mast (100) comprising second fixing means comprising a rod passing through the second (502) and third (232, 332) holes. Reactor mast (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises at least one first lower rib (510a) and at least one first upper rib (510b), where the first lower rib (510a) extends in the lower half-shell (200) and the first upper rib (510b) extends in the upper half-shell (300) and each first rib (510a, 510b) further extends generally vertically and transversely to said vertical median plane (XZ), where each first lower rib (510a) is integral with said lower half-shell (200) and comprises, on an upper edge (512a), a centering pin (514a) extending generally parallel to the vertical median plane (XZ) or a housing, and where each first upper rib (510b) is integral with said upper half-shell (300) and comprises, on a lower edge (512b),respectively a housing (514b) receiving said centering pin (514a) or a centering pin extending generally parallel to the vertical median plane (XZ) and received in said housing., Reactor mast (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises at least one second lower rib (520a) and at least one second upper rib (520b), where the second lower rib (520a) extends in the lower half-shell (200) and the second upper rib (520b) extends in the upper half-shell (300) and each second rib (520a, 520b) further extends generally vertically and transversely to said vertical median plane (XZ), where each second lower rib (520a) is integral with said lower half-shell (200) and comprises a first bearing surface (524a) extending generally vertically and perpendicularly to the vertical median plane (XZ), and where each second upper rib (520b) is integral with said upper half-shell (300) and includes,a second bearing surface (524b) extending generally vertically and perpendicularly to the vertical median plane (XZ) and coming into contact with said first bearing surface (524a), the first bearing surface (524a) comprising a fourth bore, (526) and the second bearing surface (524b) comprising a fifth bore (528) generally coaxial with said fourth bore (526), the reactor mast (100) comprising third fixing means comprising a rod (529) passing through the fourth (526) and fifth (528) bores.
10. An aircraft (10) comprising a propulsion system (102) and a powerplant (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the propulsion system (102) is attached to the powerplant (100).
11. Method of assembling (9) a reactor mast (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: - supply (92) of the lower half-shell (200); - supply (94) of the upper half-shell (300); - positioning (96) of the upper half-shell (300) against said lower half-shell (300), where said first notches (216) are received in said second hollows (316) and where said second notches (314) are received in said first hollows (216); - fixing (98) of the starboard side wall (204) to the starboard side panel (304) and of the port side wall (206) to the port side panel (306) by means of said first fixing means (400).
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