Aircraft Duct Assembly Slideway Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of electrical, hydraulic, and aeraulic ducts in aircraft fuselages is complex and laborious due to the confined and difficult-to-access 'triangle region' where these ducts are routed, requiring complex butt-jointing and tightening operations that are time-consuming and costly.
Innovation Solution
A duct assembly system featuring a slideway element that allows ducts to be formed and installed independently of their final location, using a first slideway element that cooperates with a second slideway element to create a longitudinal slideway for easy installation within the fuselage, reducing interference with the aircraft structure and simplifying the mounting process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If ducts are installed directly in the triangle region of the aircraft fuselage, then the ducts can be routed along the fuselage structure, but the installation becomes complex and laborious due to the confined and difficult-to-access space
Solution Approach 1:
The duct assembly is pre-assembled outside the aircraft fuselage in a workshop environment where operators have full access to all components. The assembly includes pre-installed connections between duct portions and the support structure, allowing the entire assembly to be installed as a single unit rather than requiring complex in-situ butt-jointing and tightening operations in the confined triangle region
Solution Approach 2:
The duct system is divided into a modular assembly that includes the duct portions and the support with mounting elements as separate integrable components. This segmentation allows the duct assembly to be constructed externally and then installed as a complete module into the fuselage, simplifying the installation process while maintaining the ability to route ducts along the fuselage structure
2Loss of time
If ducts are assembled and installed inside the aircraft fuselage, then the ducts can be directly positioned in the triangle region, but the installation time increases and costs increase due to the confined working space
Solution Approach 1:
The duct assembly is constructed outside the aircraft fuselage in a workshop environment where operators have full access to all components. The assembly includes pre-installed connections between duct portions and the support structure, allowing the entire assembly to be installed as a single unit rather than requiring complex in-situ butt-jointing and tightening operations in the confined triangle region
Solution Approach 2:
The support with mounting elements acts as an intermediary component that facilitates the installation of the duct assembly. The mounting elements engage with the fuselage structure to securely position the pre-assembled duct assembly, eliminating the need for operators to perform complex assembly tasks in the confined triangle region
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft duct assembly comprising at least two ducts extending along a general direction of rectilinear extent, each duct being an electrical, hydraulic or aeraulic duct connected to a duct support. The duct support comprises a first slideway element configured to cooperate with a second slideway element to form a slideway in the general direction of extent of the ducts. The duct assembly can thus be inserted, after mounting, by translation along the direction of the slideway into an aircraft fuselage portion. The mounting of the duct assembly and installation thereof in a fuselage are simplified, and the duct assembly is more reliable.