Device for handling an element of an aircraft and handling assembly provided with such a device

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (2) for handling an element (E) of an aircraft, the device comprising a shell (5) that is intended to surround the element, a cradle (6) defining a region for receiving the shell, and a support platform (13) on which the cradle is mounted, wherein the platform is capable of co-operating with a lifting system (3) of the device. The device comprises first means for adjusting the angular position of the cradle relative to the platform and second means for adjusting the position of the cradle along three degrees of freedom relative to three perpendicular axes, respectively.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] TITLE: Device for handling an element of an aircraft and handling assembly equipped with such a device

[0003] The present invention relates to aircraft maintenance and relates more particularly to the handling of constituent elements of an aircraft during maintenance operations. More particularly, the invention relates to a device for handling an element of an aircraft as well as a handling assembly comprising such a handling device.

[0004] In one embodiment, the invention relates to a handling device and a handling assembly intended for handling an element of an aircraft turbojet engine, in particular a rotating cowl, also known as a "barrel spinner", the main function of which is to constitute a cowl surrounding the system for orienting the blades of the turbojet engine and to guide the air towards the blades and the secondary function of resisting lightning.

[0005] Of course, it does not go beyond the scope of the invention when the device and the handling assembly are intended for handling other parts of a turbojet engine, such as the nozzle or part of the nozzle of the turbojet engine or an element of the fuselage of an aircraft, such as the nose of an aircraft, or the blade cone or any other bulky, heavy part which requires precise indexing of the part during its assembly.

[0006] As for the rotating bonnet or "barrel spinner", such a part can reach a mass of around 50 kg and has a generally cylindrical shape, with a diameter generally greater than a meter and a profile intended to reduce aerodynamic drag.

[0007] Thus, due to its size and shape, handling a rotating hood is accompanied by gripping difficulties. Furthermore, the rotating hood requires, during its assembly, balancing and angular indexing ensuring assembly in a unique position allowing the rotation axis of the rotating hood to coincide with the rotation axis of the engine. The arrangement of a rotating hood is achieved by using centering pins and guides.

[0008] Conventionally, the handling of aircraft parts is implemented using a handling device designated by the Anglo-Saxon term "Ground Support Equipment" or GSE such as trolleys, in particular forklifts.

[0009] Such handling devices do not guarantee the precision necessary for the assembly of rotating hood type elements.

[0010] It has also been proposed to attach bushings to the rotating hood and to use a lifting system using slings attached to the bushings. This holding technique also does not provide sufficient degrees of freedom to ensure the precise positioning of the rotating hood during its assembly.

[0011] Furthermore, the use of threaded bushings has a significant aerodynamic impact, increases the inertia of the rotating bonnet and is likely to cause an imbalance when the bonnet rotates in the event of an offset between the rotation axes of the rotating parts.

[0012] Threaded sockets also have a negative impact in terms of mass.

[0013] Finally, the assembly of aircraft parts requires the handling of fragile parts which must be mounted at relatively high heights corresponding to the position of the part mounted on the aircraft, which creates constraints during the development of handling devices.

[0014] In view of the above, the aim of the invention is to propose a device and an assembly for handling an aircraft element which guarantee precise positioning of the element during its assembly in order to minimize imbalance while reducing impacts in terms of mass and aerodynamics.

[0015] The invention therefore relates to a device for handling an element of an aircraft comprising an envelope intended to surround said element, a cradle delimiting a zone for receiving the envelope and a support platform on which the cradle is mounted and capable of cooperating with a lifting system of the device. This device comprises first means for adjusting the angular position of the cradle relative to the platform and second means for adjusting the position of the cradle according to three degrees of freedom, respectively relative to three perpendicular axes.

[0016] Thus, these adjustment means allow precise manipulation of the element of the aircraft to be manipulated, without requiring the provision of a structural modification of the element to be manipulated which could have effects on the aerodynamics or on the imbalance.

[0017] Furthermore, such a handling device makes it possible to hold the element to be handled, without requiring the provision of an interface part intended to cooperate with the device.

[0018] Advantageously, the device comprises third means for adjusting the inclination of the cradle relative to the platform. These third adjustment means further improve the precision of the device, in particular when handling is carried out in a sloping environment.

[0019] For example, the third tilt adjustment means comprise at least one pivot connection with a transverse horizontal axis provided between the cradle and the support platform and extending at one axial end of the device and an axis of adjustable length between the cradle and the platform extending at a second axial end of the device opposite the first end.

[0020] Preferably the third adjustment means are manual adjustment means.

[0021] In one embodiment, the cradle comprises a concave body on which the envelope rests, the first adjustment means comprising two end plates provided with respective slots aligned two by two and rods integral with the concave body engaging in the aligned slots, said rods being manually manipulable to adjust the angular orientation of the cradle.

[0022] The device further comprises a frame interposed between the cradle and the platform with the interposition of a material with a low coefficient of friction. For example, the frame comprises guide lights in which engage axes which cooperate with holes made in the platform and which are provided with a head bearing against the frame, the frame further comprising means for locking the frame in position.

[0023] According to yet another characteristic of the handling device, the envelope comprises at least one segment intended to surround a sector of the aircraft element, a foam base linked to the cradle and means for assembling said segment and the base around the aircraft element.

[0024] The device may further comprise a storage and transport base, for example a storage and transport pallet for the handling device capable of cooperating with the lifting system and means for holding the base on the base.

[0025] The invention also relates to a handling assembly for an element of an aircraft comprising a handling device as defined above, and a lifting system comprising a mast mounted on a wheeled chassis and a mobile platform which can be moved vertically under the action of a crank lifting means.

[0026] Other aims, characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example and made with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0027] [Fig 1] and [Fig 2] illustrate a first embodiment of a handling assembly in accordance with the invention;

[0028] [Fig 3] illustrates another embodiment of a handling assembly according to the invention;

[0029] [Fig 4] and [Fig 5] are front and rear perspective views of the handling device of the assembly of Figure 3;

[0030] [Fig 6], [Fig 7] and [Fig 8] are detailed views of the handling device of Figures 4 and 5, showing the means for adjusting the cradle relative to the platform;

[0031] [Fig 9] is a perspective view of the handling device mounted on a storage and transport base; [Fig 10] shows the lifting system of the handling assembly of Figure 3;

[0032] [Fig 1 1 ] is a detail view of the lifting system of Figure 10; and

[0033] [Fig 12] and [Fig 13] illustrate methods of implementing the handling assembly of Figure 3.

[0034] Figures 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of an assembly for handling an element E of an aircraft according to the invention, designated by the numerical reference 1.

[0035] This handling assembly comprises a handling device 2 intended to receive and hold the element E of the aircraft to be handled and a lifting system 3 on which the device 2 is mounted and comprising, in this embodiment, a hydraulic or electric lifting platform intended to position the element E at a predetermined height allowing the assembly and disassembly of the element E on the aircraft and to allow the movement of the assembly.

[0036] The lifting platform here has a pantograph structure and is capable of adopting a folded position, visible in figure 1, and a deployed position, visible in figure 2, allowing the lifting of element E.

[0037] In the application envisaged within the framework of the present description, the element E is constituted by a rotating cowl 4 or “barrel spinner” which is mounted on a turbojet engine for cowling the orientation system of the turbojet engine blades and guiding the air towards the blades.

[0038] Such a handling assembly may however be used for handling other elements of an aircraft, such as a fuselage element, for example the nose of an aircraft, or of a turbojet, such as the nozzle, or the blade cone.

[0039] In the embodiment of Figure 3, the handling assembly 1 also comprises a handling device dedicated to holding the element E, similar to the handling device of the assembly of Figures 1 and 2 and a lifting system 3 constituted by a forklift. In the various embodiments of Figures 1 to 3, the handling device 2 comprises an envelope 5 intended to surround and hold the rotating hood 4 and a cradle 6 in which the envelope 5 is inserted.

[0040] Referring also to figures 4 and 5, which respectively illustrate in perspective the front face and the rear face of the rotating hood 4, the envelope 5 comprises several segments connected to each other and intended jointly to surround and hold the hood 4 on the cradle 6.

[0041] The envelope 5 may comprise several segments adapted to the shape of the hood.

[0042] Here it comprises a first segment 7 produced in the form of a concave plate and a second segment 8 forming a foam base shaped to the shape of the body of the cover 4, for example molded or machined to the shape of the body, and which comprises sectors such as 9 projecting radially which fit into openings made in the cradle 6.

[0043] The envelope 5, including the first segment 7 and the second segment 8, are secured around the hood 4 using assembly means 10 comprising here a strap or, generally, a flange, but which may comprise, as a variant, one or more straps, hinges ensuring the articulation between the first and second segments 7 and 8 and associated with clasps, belts, etc.

[0044] The first segment 7 can be made of any material suitable for the intended use, for example plastic, composite material, textile material, rubber, aluminum, making it possible to ensure that the cover 4 is held in place while ensuring distribution of the forces applied by the assembly means 10. The second segment 8 is for example made of foam ensuring distribution of the forces applied by the cover on the casing 5 and the cradle 6, while being capable of absorbing the shocks likely to occur during handling of the cover 4.

[0045] In the illustrated embodiment, the assembly means 10 are constituted by a strap which is linked to attachment points 11 provided at the mutually opposite ends of the cradle 6 to immobilize by clamping the cover 4 against the cradle 6.

[0046] As seen in Figures 4 and 5, the cradle 6 comprises a concave body 12 which forms a receiving area for the second segment 8 and a support platform 13 on which the concave body 12 is mounted.

[0047] The handling device also includes means for adjusting the position of the cradle relative to the platform according to several degrees of freedom in order to index the position of the rotating hood to its mounting position.

[0048] The device comprises first means for adjusting the angular position of the cradle relative to the platform, in order to adjust the angular position of the cradle by rotation around a horizontal axis X.

[0049] With reference to figures 4 and 5, the body 12 of the cradle comprises for this purpose two end plates, such as 14, respectively front and rear, extending transversely with respect to the horizontal axis X which coincides with the general axis of the cover 4 and which are arranged opposite each other while being linked by two arms such as 15. The end plates 14 are fixed and the body 12 is orientable with respect to the plates 14.

[0050] The two flanges 14 are each provided with two slots such as 16 and 17 positioned so that the slots of one of the flanges are aligned with the slots of the other flange and two rods 18 and 19 secured to the body 12 of the cradle and engaging in the respective slots of the flanges 14 while being accessible from one side, for example from the front side of the cover 4, to allow manual orientation of the body 12 of the cradle relative to the flanges 14.

[0051] During the angular adjustment of the body 12 relative to the flanges, the casing 5 which is clamped around the cover 4 while being inserted into the cradle 6 is also moved in rotation around the horizontal axis X. The handling device also comprises second means for adjusting the position of the cradle according to three degrees of freedom respectively relative to the three perpendicular axes X, Y, Z.

[0052] With reference to figures 6, 7 and 8, the handling device is provided with a frame 20 on which the cradle 6 is fixed and which rests on the platform 13 with the interposition of a material with a low coefficient of friction, such as polyacrylate or Teflon®, or a ball bearing in order to allow movement by manual action of the cradle relative to the platform 13 in the X direction, in the Y direction or by rotation around the Z axis, or according to a combination of these three degrees of freedom.

[0053] In order to ensure guidance relative to the platform, and to limit movements by limiting the risks of action, in particular by tilting, the frame is provided with oblong slots, such as 21, into which are inserted axes 22 provided with a head 23 which comes to bear against the frame, the axes 22 being inserted into holes made in the platform and locking means comprising tightening knobs 24 in order to block the movement of the frame.

[0054] The handling device is also equipped with third means for adjusting the inclination of the cradle relative to the platform.

[0055] These third tilt adjustment means, designated by the general numerical references 26 and 27, comprise one or more pivot connections 26, with an axis transverse to the horizontal axis X, here 2 in number, provided at the rear axial end of the handling device in order to allow rotation of the cradle and the envelope around the axis Y, and at the opposite front end, an axis 27 of adjustable length comprising for example a threaded rod associated with a crank 28 extending between the frame linked to the platform and the body 12 of the cradle in order to allow adjustment of the tilt of the cradle and, consequently, of the cover 4.

[0056] With reference to figure 9, the handling device is completed by a storage and transport base, for example a storage and transport pallet 30 on which the platform is placed, being held there for example by means of straps 31, this pallet being capable of being handled by means of the lifting system 3 described previously with reference to figure 3 and illustrated in figure 10.

[0057] The lifting system 3 comprises a chassis 32 with rollers and a mast 33 erected vertically from the chassis and comprising a vertical guide rail 34 into which is inserted a mobile platform 35 with forks 36 and 37 intended to engage in passages 38 made in the pallet 30.

[0058] The movable platform 35 of the lifting system is also capable of handling the platform 13 by inserting itself into passages 39 made transversely in the platform (Figure 4). The passages 39 are provided in both the X and Y directions of the platform, in order to receive the forks in the X direction, as shown in Figures 6, 7 and 12, and in the Y direction, as shown in Figure 13.

[0059] As can be seen, the movable platform 35 is associated with a crank lifting means 40 in order to ensure the manual elevation of the movable platform 35 and the movement of the handling device from or to the assembly area or of the handling device placed on the pallet 30 to the storage location.

[0060] The handling assembly thus includes several adjustment means allowing the handling device to be precisely positioned.

[0061] First, for a quick approach, the handling device is positioned using the lifting system. In the X direction, the movement of the trolley is carried out by means of the rollers; in the Y direction, the movement is carried out by means of the rollers and by laterally shifting the forklift; and, as regards the Z direction, by means of the crank 40 of the lifting system.

[0062] Secondly, for a fine approach, the position of the device is adjusted using the three degrees of freedom in translation and the three degrees of freedom in rotation that the use of the low friction material between the frame 20 and the platform 13 allows, and by using the crank 28 and the oblong slots. In the X direction, the action is taken by moving the frame 20 which rests on the platform 13 with the interposition of the low friction material, the axes 22 being inserted in the oblong slots 21. Similarly, with regard to the adjustment in the Y direction, the position of the frame is adjusted. In the Z direction, the action is taken on the crank.

[0063] Furthermore, the rotational adjustment around the X axis is carried out by orienting the handling device by moving the rods 18 and 19 in the slots 16 and 17 of the flanges 14.

[0064] Rotation around the Y axis is carried out by acting on the crank 28 and, around the Z axis, by moving the frame relative to the plate using the oblong slots 21. The dismantling of a hood by means of a handling assembly which has just been described is carried out in the following manner.

[0065] In a first step, the cradle 6 and the casing 5 should be positioned in the open state on the lifting system and the assembly positioned relative to the rotating hood 4 so that the latter rests on the second foam segment 8.

[0066] With reference to Figure 12, an operator is raised to the level of the cowl using a lifting platform N. The operator then proceeds to fix the protective casing on top of the rotating cowl 4 using the assembly means 10, here a strap. After fixing the casing, the operator proceeds to unscrew the various fixings of the cowl on the turbomachine.

[0067] After unscrewing, the operator proceeds to disengage the hood from its centering devices on the engine, typically by causing the hood to move back in the X direction, using the sliding frame 20.

[0068] He then proceeds to clamp the frame 20 by tightening the clamping knobs 24 provided on the frame 20.

[0069] The operator then lowers the handling device using the lifting system's crank and then moves the lifting system to place the assembly on the storage pallet. After releasing the lifting system, the handling device platform is held on the storage and transport pallet using straps.

[0070] To install the hood, perform the reverse operations.

[0071] First, remove the straps holding the platform to the pallet.

[0072] The lifting system is straddled by inserting the forks into the passages 39 of the platform 13, the assembly is raised, including the rotating hood to the height of the engine axis and then, using the nacelle N, an operator is raised to the level of the hood. As indicated previously, in the embodiment of Figure 12, the forks of the lifting system are inserted into the passages of the platform oriented in the X direction. It is of course possible, as a variant, as illustrated in Figure 13, to straddle the platform using the passages 39 oriented in the Y direction. This embodiment is advantageous in particular conditions, for example when the work area is cluttered or in order to fill even larger angular defects if the work area is sloping.

[0073] The operator adjusts the handling device so as to position the hood exactly opposite its mounting area, by acting on the adjustment means, and then positions the hood using its guides and centering pins, respecting the correct angular position, then proceeds to screw the various hood fixings onto the engine.

[0074] The protective cover is then removed by loosening the tightening strap, then the handling device is lowered using the crank-operated lifting device 40 and, finally, the handling device is positioned on its transport pallet.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Handling device (2) for an element (E) of an aircraft comprising an envelope (5) intended to surround said element, a cradle (6) delimiting a zone for receiving the envelope and a support platform (13) on which the cradle is mounted and capable of cooperating with a lifting system (3) of the device, characterized in that it comprises first means (14, 15, 18, 19) for adjusting the angular position of the cradle relative to the platform and second means (20) for adjusting the position of the cradle according to three degrees of freedom, respectively relative to three perpendicular axes.

2. Device according to claim 1 comprising third means (26, 27) for adjusting the inclination of the cradle relative to the platform.

3. Device according to claim 2, in which the third inclination adjustment means comprise a pivot connection (26) with a transverse horizontal axis provided between the cradle (6) and the support platform (13) and extending at a first axial end of the device and an axis (27) of adjustable length between the cradle and the platform extending at a second end of the device opposite the first end.

4. Device according to claim 2 or claim 3 in which the third adjustment means (26, 27) are manual adjustment means.

5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in which the cradle (6) comprises a concave body (12) on which the envelope (5) rests, the first adjustment means comprising two end plates (14) provided with respective slots (16, 17) aligned two by two and rods (18, 19) integral with the concave body engaging in the aligned slots, said rods being manually manipulable to adjust the angular orientation of the cradle.

6. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising a frame (20) interposed between the platform (13) and the cradle (6) with interposition of a material with a low coefficient of friction.

7. Device according to claim 6 in which the frame (20) comprises guide lights (21) in which engage axes (22) which cooperate with holes made by the platform and which are provided with a head (23) bearing against the frame, and in which the frame comprises means for locking the frame in position.

8. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 in which the envelope (5) comprises at least one segment (7) intended to surround a sector (9) of the element (E) of the aircraft and a base (8) made of foam linked to the cradle (6) and means (10) for assembling said segment (7) and the base (8) around the element of the aircraft.

9. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a base (30) for storing and transporting the handling device (2) capable of cooperating with the lifting system (3) and means (31) for holding the base (8) on the base.

10. Handling assembly (1) for an element (E) of an aircraft comprising a handling device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and a lifting system (3) comprising a mast (33) mounted on a wheeled chassis (32) and a mobile platform (35) movable vertically under the action of a crank lifting means (40).

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