Adapter Mounting Assembly for Rectangular Beams
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for an effective method and assembly to mount components on beams with flat sides, particularly those with rectangular cross-sectional shapes, to reduce the overall width profile and accommodate more components within limited aerospace engine pylon fairings, while minimizing aerodynamic drag.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves using multiple adapter members with flat faces that engage the beam's flat sides, clamped by a loop-like strap, allowing components to be attached close to the beam, and optionally using support brackets, to enable compact mounting within narrower profiles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If beams with rectangular cross-section and flat sides are used to reduce width profile, then aerodynamic drag is reduced and space is saved, but difficulty in mounting system components on the beam increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces adapter members as intermediary components that bridge the beam and the system components. These adapter members have curved outer surfaces that work with the loop-like strap to provide secure mounting on flat-sided beams, solving the mounting difficulty without changing the beam's compact rectangular shape.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting system is segmented into distinct functional components: the beam, adapter members, loop-like strap, and fastening devices. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the beam for minimal width profile and the adapter members for ease of component mounting.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If fairing width is reduced to minimize aerodynamic drag, then aerodynamic performance improves, but the volume of space available for mounting components decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the longitudinal dimension along the beam to mount components via adapter members positioned at different locations. This allows efficient use of available space within the narrow fairing by distributing components along the length of the beam rather than requiring lateral space.
3Ease of operation
If components are mounted on brackets attached to the outside of circular band clamps, then component mounting is achieved, but the overall width profile increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of attaching components to the outside of band clamps (which increases width), the patent inverts the approach by using adapter members with curved surfaces that work with the strap to mount components closer to the beam surface, thereby minimizing the width profile while maintaining mounting capability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A mounting assembly (50) allows components (48) to be mounted on a beam (38) having a rectangularly shaped cross section and flat sides (64). The mounting assembly (50) includes a plurality of adapter members (52-58) and a strap (70). Each of the adapter members (52-58) has a generally flat inner face (60) engaging one of the flat sides (64) of the beam (38) and a generally curved outer face (62). Drawing the strap (70) against the curved outer faces (62) of the adapter members (52-58) clamps the adapter members (52-58) on the beam (38). One or more components (48) may be attached to each of the adapter members (52-58) at a location inboard of the strap (70).