Aerospace Mounting Set Using Elastic Straps for Dynamic Load Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mounting systems for dynamic platforms like aerospace vehicles face challenges in securely attaching and deploying stores, such as rocket motors, due to expansion and stress issues, especially when the stores have non-metallic casings or experience significant dynamic loads.
Innovation Solution
A mounting set comprising straps and brackets that circumscribe the stores' perimeter, allowing for reversible engagement with the mounting station, accommodating expansion and dynamic loads, and featuring elastic deformation to maintain load-bearing abutment across a range of conditions, including thermal and external loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If metal lugs are joined to the stores casing, then the mounting structure can withstand dynamic loads, but it becomes difficult to mount when the casing is non-metallic or thin and subject to significant expansion
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting structure is divided into separate components: the casing, the mounting bracket, and the lug. The bracket acts as an intermediate element that can be attached to various casing types without requiring the casing itself to be metal or thick-walled. This segmentation allows the mounting system to adapt to different casing materials and thicknesses while maintaining structural integrity under dynamic loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting bracket serves as an intermediary element between the casing and the lug. Instead of directly joining the lug to the casing (which fails with thin or non-metallic casings), the bracket mediates this connection by distributing loads across a larger area and providing a robust attachment point for the lug, thereby enabling secure mounting of diverse store types.
2Weight of moving object
If the stores casing is made thin to reduce weight, then weight is reduced, but the casing becomes more susceptible to damage under dynamic loads and expansion stress
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket is designed to distribute dynamic loads and expansion stresses away from the thin casing walls. By providing a broader load distribution area, the bracket cushions the thin casing against concentrated stresses that would otherwise cause damage, thereby maintaining reliability while allowing the use of lightweight thin-walled casings.
3Device complexity
If a unitary lug is provided with the stores, then the mounting structure is simple, but it limits the use of the stores with particular mounting station configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket is designed as a universal interface that can accommodate different lug configurations and mounting station types. The bracket's standardized attachment points and load distribution geometry allow the same store to be mounted on various aircraft and aerospace vehicles with different mounting station configurations, thereby achieving multi-functionality and broad compatibility.
4Adaptability or versatility
If straps are used to circumscribe the stores perimeter, then the mounting system can accommodate expansion and various casing types, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system uses straps (flexible elements) that circumscribe the perimeter of the store and bear against the casing. These flexible straps can accommodate casing expansion during operation while maintaining secure attachment. The straps distribute loads around the perimeter rather than at single points, reducing stress concentrations and enabling compatibility with various casing types without requiring complex rigid mounting structures.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables secure attachment and deployment of stores across various dynamic platforms, accommodating expansion and stress, while minimizing damage and requiring minimal modification to existing hardware, thus providing a cost-effective and versatile mounting system.
Implementation Method 1
The or each said straps is configured for providing support to said pressure vessel with respect to said dynamic platform while accommodating said variation of said perimeter within said range
Data Source
AI summary
A mounting set for use in mounting an external stores to a mounting station of an aerospace vehicle includes a mounting bracket arrangement and a strap arrangement. The bracket arrangement is configured for selective reversible engagement with respect to the mounting station and for cooperating with the strap arrangement. The strap arrangement is configured for securing the bracket arrangement to the stores in load bearing abutment therewith to enable transfer of loads between the stores and the mounting station via said bracket arrangement, in operation of said mounting set. A mounting system is also provided for mounting an external stores to an aerospace vehicle having two or more mounting stations, including a mounting set for each mounting station. Mounting methods are also provided.