Aircraft Engine Adapter System for Fuselage Retrofitting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft engine retrofitting technologies face challenges in securely adapting engines from one aircraft to another, particularly due to differences in engine mount attachment points and incompatible electrical, control, and fuel line connections, which can lead to inefficient and costly custom fits.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a circular member with longitudinally extending tubular members and mounting brackets that securely attach to both the engine and the aircraft fuselage, allowing for the retrofitting of engines with three or more mount attachment points, and includes means to adapt electrical and fuel line connections, utilizing a skeletal framework with rear and forward stiffeners to support the engine and facilitate secure mounting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a custom fit is used to adapt engines from one aircraft to another, then the engine can be securely mounted, but the cost and complexity of the retrofitting process increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter assembly is designed with a universal configuration that can accommodate multiple engine types and aircraft models. The ring member adapter with multiple mounting brackets and the skeletal framework structure allow the same adapter design to interface with different engine mount attachment points (three or more points) and different aircraft inner portions, eliminating the need for custom-designed adapters for each engine-aircraft combination.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter assembly serves as an intermediary component between the engine and the aircraft fuselage. It includes a ring member adapter that attaches to the engine and a skeletal framework that connects to the aircraft's inner portion, providing a standardized interface that bridges the incompatibility between different engine and aircraft configurations without requiring custom modifications to either the engine or aircraft.
2Productivity
If standard adapter components are used for retrofitting, then the retrofitting process becomes more efficient and cost-effective, but compatibility with different engine and aircraft configurations may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter assembly incorporates a ring member adapter with multiple mounting brackets arranged in a circular pattern, allowing attachment to engines with three or more mount points. The skeletal framework includes multiple tubular members that can be configured to match different aircraft inner portion geometries. This universal design enables a single adapter type to serve multiple engine-aircraft combinations efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter assembly is divided into distinct modular components: a ring member adapter with mounting brackets for engine attachment, a skeletal framework with tubular members for structural support, and attachment means for connecting to the aircraft inner portion. This segmentation allows each component to be independently designed and configured for specific engine or aircraft types while maintaining overall system compatibility through standardized interfaces.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the adapter assembly uses multiple mounting brackets and skeletal framework, then the engine mounting stability is improved, but the weight of the adapter system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The skeletal framework is constructed with tubular members that provide high structural strength-to-weight ratio. The framework includes strategic reinforcement at critical locations such as the ring member adapter connection points and aircraft attachment points, while using lighter gauge tubing in less stressed areas. This local quality differentiation maintains mounting stability while minimizing overall adapter weight.
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft engine mounting system to retrofit an aircraft engine from one aircraft type to another in a manner suitable for approved flight. The system includes a circular member having longitudinal securement members extending therefrom to attach the circular member to an inner surface of the fuselage of an aircraft. The circular member in turn has mounting members configured to receive an aircraft engine to retrofit the engine from a first aircraft to a second aircraft.