Support device for aeronautical equipment

Abstract

The invention relates to a support device (1) for equipment, in particular mechanical equipment for aeronautics, comprising an envelope (3) delimiting an internal volume (V) and elements, called internal elements (4), arranged in the internal volume (V) of the envelope (3), the support device (1) having a first state, called universal state, in which the internal elements (4) are spaced from each other, and a second state, called molded state, in which the internal elements (4) are immobilized against each other. Abstract figure: Figure 4

Description

Title of the invention: Support device for aeronautical equipment Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a support device for equipment, in particular mechanical equipment for the aeronautical field. Prior art

[0002] Due to its mechanical complexity, the field of aeronautics requires the use of numerous parts, each different from the other, which must be moved to put them in place, in an aircraft for example. In general, a support is used, for example mounted on a jack, and the part is firmly held on its support during transport to its installation position.

[0003] As each part is specific, it is necessary to provide a dedicated support, associated with each of the parts, which has the disadvantages of multiplying the supports to be created, increasing production costs, and increasing the carbon footprint.

[0004] The aim of the invention is to at least partially remedy these drawbacks. Summary

[0005] For this purpose, a support device is proposed for equipment, in particular mechanical equipment for aeronautics, comprising an envelope delimiting an internal volume and elements, called internal elements, arranged in the internal volume of the envelope, the support device having a first state, called universal state, in which the internal elements are spaced from one another, and a second state, called molded state, in which the internal elements are immobilized against one another.

[0006] Thus, thanks to the device according to the present invention, it is possible to mold the support on any equipment to be transported, whatever the specific shape of the equipment.

[0007] According to another aspect, the internal elements are fibers and / or foam beads.

[0008] According to another aspect, the envelope is made of textile material, preferably of high resistance.

[0009] According to another aspect, the envelope comprises a gas passage orifice, preferably shaped to receive a nozzle of a vacuum pump.

[0010] The invention also relates to a system for transporting equipment, in particular mechanical equipment for an aircraft, comprising a support device as described above, a support for said support device and a jack. of movement of said support.

[0011] The invention also relates to a method for preparing a support device as described above, for equipment, in particular mechanical equipment for an aircraft, comprising the following steps: - a step of installing the equipment, during which said equipment is placed on the casing of the support device, the support device being in the universal state, - a suction step, during which a gas, for example air, is sucked out of the internal volume of the casing, until the support device is in the molded state, the internal elements being immobilized against each other, - an equipment uninstallation step, during which the equipment is extracted from the support device, the support device remaining in the molded state.

[0012] The invention also relates to the use of a support device prepared according to the method described above, for moving equipment identical to that used in the preparation method described above.

[0013] The invention also relates to a method for restoring the support device prepared as previously described, during which a gas, for example air, is blown into the internal volume, so as to change the support device from the molded state to the universal state. Brief description of the drawings

[0014] Other characteristics, details and advantages will appear on reading the detailed description below, and on analyzing the attached drawings, in which: Fig.l

[0015] [Fig.l] is a schematic view of a longitudinal section of a support device according to an embodiment of the invention, in a first state, called the universal state. Fig. 2

[0016] [Fig.2] is a schematic side view of the device of [Fig.l], in a second state, called cast state, and carrying dedicated equipment. Fig. 3

[0017] [Fig.3] illustrates a schematic view of a longitudinal section of the device of support of [Fig.l] equipping a lifting system, in a first step (initial step) of a preparation method according to the present invention. Fig. 4

[0018] [Fig.4] illustrates a schematic view of the lifting system of [Fig.3] in a subsequent installation position of equipment according to the preparation method of the present invention. Fig. 5

[0019] [Fig.5] illustrates a schematic view of the lifting system of [Fig.4] in a subsequent suction position according to the preparation method of the present invention. Fig. 6

[0020] [Fig.6] illustrates a schematic view of the lifting system of [Fig.5] in a subsequent position of uninstallation of the equipment according to the preparation method of the present invention. Fig. 7

[0021] [Fig.7] illustrates a schematic view of the lifting system of [Fig.6] in a subsequent position of uninstalling the equipment according to the preparation method of the present invention, the equipment having been removed and the device being in the molded state. Fig. 8

[0022] [Fig.8] illustrates a schematic view of the lifting system of [Fig.7] in a reset position, or universal reset, of the support device. Description of the embodiments

[0023] The examples and associated conditions detailed herein are primarily intended to assist the reader in understanding the principles of the present invention and not to limit its scope to these specific examples and conditions. It will be understood that those skilled in the art can devise various arrangements which, although not explicitly described or shown herein, nevertheless embody the principles of the present invention and are included within its spirit and scope.

[0024] Further, for ease of understanding, the following description may describe relatively simplified implementations of the present invention. As those skilled in the art will understand, other implementations of the present invention may be of greater complexity.

[0025] In some cases, examples of modifications of the present invention may also be presented. This is done merely as an aid to understanding, and, again, not to define the scope or establish the limits of the present invention. These modifications are not an exhaustive list, and those skilled in the art may make other modifications while remaining within the scope of the present invention.

[0026] Furthermore, all statements hereinafter relating to the principles, aspects and implementations of the present invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof, whether presently known or developed in the future.

[0027] As can be seen from the figures, the invention relates to a support device 1 for equipment 2. The equipment 2 is preferably a part dedicated to aeronautics, for example, but of course in a non-limiting manner, for the manufacture of an aircraft.

[0028] As particularly visible in [Fig.l], the support device 1 comprises an envelope 3 delimiting an internal volume V, and internal elements 4, contained in the internal volume V.

[0029] The envelope 3 is made of a material comprising fibers, preferably textile fibers, preferably high-strength fibers, comprising for example textile fibers marketed under the registered trademark “Kevlar”, or fibers marketed under the registered trademark “Nomex”, and / or of the polyvinyl chloride (PVC) type. For example, the thickness of the envelope 3 is between 0.1 mm and 5 mm, for example between 1 mm and 2 mm.

[0030] The envelope 3 is made of flexible material, which allows it to deform when the internal elements 4 move in the universal state, as will be detailed.

[0031] The internal elements 4 comprise balls 5. In the figures, the balls 5 are spherical. However, the invention is not limited to this geometry and the balls may have other suitable shapes (elongated fibers, ovoids, etc.). The balls 5 may all be identical or, on the contrary, of different dimensions and / or types. The balls have a diameter (or a characteristic length) of 1 μm to 5 cm, for example of 1 mm to 1 cm. The balls 5 are preferably made of foam, for example of the polyurethane or polystyrene type, or of plastic.

[0032] The device 1 also comprises an orifice 6 for the passage of gaseous fluid between the internal volume V and the exterior of the support device 1. The orifice 6 is advantageously shaped to receive a suction pump nozzle, as will be detailed later. The device 1 also comprises a removable cap for closing the orifice 6 (not shown).

[0033] It is noted that the general shape and dimensions of the envelope 3 depend on the equipment 2 to be molded.

[0034] In the illustrated embodiments, the internal volume V of the envelope 3 is filled by the internal elements 4 and air only. However, according to other embodiments, the support device 1 may also comprise other components, such as for example layers made from foam, preferably memory foam, and / or latex.

[0035] As is apparent in particular from Figures 1 and 2, the support device 1 has at least two states.

[0036] A first state, hereinafter called the universal state, is illustrated more particularly in Figures 1, 3 and 8. In the universal state, the internal elements 4 are spaced apart from each other and movable relative to each other. As seen in [Fig.l], the balls 5 are at a distance from each other.

[0037] A second state, hereinafter called the molded state, is illustrated more particularly in Figures 2, 4 and 5 to 7. In the molded state, the internal elements are immobilized against each other. To do this, a depression has been generated in the internal volume, until the internal elements 5 are no longer free to move in the internal volume V.

[0038] In other words, the air pressure in the internal volume V is lower in the molded state than in the universal state. For example, in the universal state, the gas pressure in the internal volume V is equal to atmospheric pressure.

[0039] In the molded state, the support device 1 has the shape of a partial impression 7 of the equipment 2, as will be explained in relation to a method of preparing the device 1, according to the present invention.

[0040] It is noted that the invention also relates to a lifting system 10 equipped with the support device 1.

[0041] As visible in Figures 3 to 8, the lifting system 10 comprises a jack 11, for example hydraulic or pneumatic, at the top of which is mounted a base 12. On the base 12 is placed the support device 1. The jack is mounted mobile in translation (vertical in the figures) between a low position of the device 1 and a high position of the device 1.

[0042] The method 100 for preparing the lifting system 10 will now be detailed with reference to FIGS. 3 to 8.

[0043] As can be seen from [Fig. 3], according to an initial position of the method 100, the lifting system 10 is in the low position, ready to receive the equipment 2. The device 1 is in the universal position, the balls 5 being free to move in the internal volume V.

[0044] As illustrated in [Fig.4], according to the method 100, the device 1 is raised to the high position until the equipment 2 is placed on the casing 3. Under the mass of the equipment 2, the balls 5 move so as to form the partial imprint 7 of the equipment 2. In [Fig.4], the casing 3 takes the form of a lower part 13 of the external surface 14 of the equipment 2.

[0045] As visible in [Fig. 5], the method 100 then comprises a step of sucking air out of the internal volume V of the casing 3. It is possible, in a non-limiting manner, to use a vacuum generator, such as a pneumatic or electric pump. To do this, the gaseous fluid passage orifice 6 is connected to a pump tip which sucks the air contained in the internal volume V. Once the balls 5 are immobilized, the vacuum generator is disconnected and the passage orifice 6 is closed. At the end of this step, the device 1 is in the molded state. As long as the orifice 6 is closed, the device 1 remains in the molded state.

[0046] Then, as visible in [Fig.6], the device 1 is lowered into the low position and then, as illustrated in [Fig.7], the equipment 2 is extracted. The device 1 is still in the molded state, the casing 3 forming the imprint 7.

[0047] Once the device 1 has been prepared, i.e. the molding has been carried out, the support device 1 can be used as many times as necessary to move any part 15 identical to the equipment 2.

[0048] Thanks to the device 1, and to the method 100, a specific, tailor-made mold has thus been designed for the transport of parts identical to the equipment 2.

[0049] As can be seen in [Fig.8], when it is no longer necessary to transport parts 15, it is sufficient to remove the last part 15, then open the orifice 6. The air enters the internal volume V of the casing 3, which allows the balls 5 to be spaced from each other, and the device 1 returns to the universal state.

[0050] In other words, the change from the universal state to the molded state, and vice versa, is reversible, and the switching from one to the other is done by reducing and increasing, respectively, the pressure in the internal volume V.

[0051] Thanks to the device 1, and to the method 100, the specific mold for the equipment 2 can then be reused for a completely different equipment 2, of a completely different shape.

[0052] Thus, thanks to the device 1, and to the method 100, we sequentially design supports dedicated to each piece of equipment that we need.

[0053] The device 1, by reversibly switching from the universal state to the molded state, ensures the universal molding of supports all different from one another, which makes it possible to avoid the manufacture of a multitude of specific supports, each associated with a given part. In addition, the device 1 makes it possible to temporarily manufacture an optimal support for the transport of each part, since its shape matches the external surface of the part and forms its imprint on its external envelope.

[0054] Modifications and improvements to the above-described implementations of the present invention may occur to those skilled in the art. For example, it has been described that the gas in volume V is air. However, the invention is not limited to this scenario, and any suitable type of gas could also be used.

[0055] The above description is illustrative by way of examples rather than limiting. The scope of the present invention is therefore limited only by the scope of the claims below.

Claims

Claims

1. Support device for equipment, in particular mechanical equipment for aeronautics, comprising an envelope (3) delimiting an internal volume (V) and elements, called internal elements (4), arranged in the internal volume (V) of the envelope (3), the support device (1) having a first state, called universal state, in which the internal elements (4) are spaced from each other, and a second state, called molded state, in which the internal elements (4) are immobilized against each other.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the internal elements (4) are fibers and / or foam beads (5).

3. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the envelope (3) is made of textile material, preferably of high resistance.

4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the casing (3) comprises an orifice (6) for gas passage, preferably shaped to receive a nozzle of a vacuum pump.

5. System for transporting equipment, in particular mechanical equipment for an aircraft, comprising a support device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, a base (12) of said support device (1) and a cylinder (11) for moving said base (12).

6. A method of preparing (100) a support device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, for equipment (2), in particular mechanical equipment for an aircraft, comprising the following steps: - a step of installing the equipment (2), during which said equipment (2) is placed on the casing (3) of the support device (1), the support device (1) being in the universal state, - a suction step, during which a gas, for example air, is sucked out of the internal volume (V) of the casing (3), until the support device (1) is in the molded state, the internal elements (4) being immobilized against each other, - a step of uninstalling the equipment (2), during which the equipment (2) is extracted from the support device (1), the support device (1) remaining in the molded state.

7. Use of a support device (1) prepared according to the preceding claim, for moving equipment (15) identical to that to which the preparation method (100) according to the preceding claim was used.

8. A method of restoring the support device (1) prepared according to claim 6, in which a gas, for example air, is blown into the internal volume, so as to change the support device (1) from the molded state to the universal state.

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