Aircraft Engine Cover With Segmented Ring Frame
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft engine covers are cumbersome, requiring long entangling straps and ladders for installation and removal, posing safety concerns, especially in windy or icy conditions. They also lack water-resistant yet breathable materials, leading to moisture issues.
Innovation Solution
A protective cover with a generally circular cross-section, featuring a ring-shaped frame element with attaching mechanisms for secure attachment to the engine without stands or ladders. The cover comprises water-resistant yet breathable fabric layers, allowing moisture release while keeping moisture out.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If long entangling straps are used to attach the cover, then the cover can reach engine anchor points, but installation requires ladders or stands which pose safety concerns
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is divided into a main body portion and separate strap portions with attaching mechanisms. The attaching mechanisms (D-rings, hooks, or elastic elements) are distributed around the circumference of the cover body, allowing short individual straps to engage multiple anchor points on the engine, eliminating the need for one long strap that requires ladder installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The attaching mechanisms are arranged in a circular distribution pattern around the cover body, transitioning from linear strap arrangement to two-dimensional circular arrangement. This allows the cover to engage engine anchor points from multiple directions simultaneously, reducing the need for long straps and ladder-based installation.
2Length of moving object
If long straps are used to secure the cover, then the cover can be attached to engine anchor points, but the straps become entangled and difficult to manage
Solution Approach 1:
The single long strap system is segmented into multiple short strap portions, each connected to the cover body through separate attaching mechanisms. This segmentation prevents entanglement by limiting the length of each individual strap while maintaining effective coverage through multiple attachment points distributed around the engine circumference.
3Ease of operation
If the cover is held at the far back end of the engine, then attachment is simplified, but the entire cover must be removed for maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The attaching mechanisms are distributed around the circumference of the cover body rather than concentrated at one location. This allows the cover to be securely attached at multiple points along the engine, enabling maintenance personnel to access the engine by removing only portions of the cover rather than the entire structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The distribution of attaching mechanisms around the cover circumference creates a flexible attachment system where individual sections can be independently removed or adjusted. This dynamic configuration allows the cover to transition from a fully attached state to a partially removed state for maintenance access, then back to full attachment.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If non-breathable materials are used for the cover, then water resistance is improved, but moisture accumulates inside the engine area
Solution Approach 1:
The cover body is constructed from breathable material that contains porous structure allowing moisture vapor transmission. This porous construction enables the cover to resist liquid water while permitting water vapor to pass through, preventing moisture accumulation inside the engine area while maintaining water resistance on the exterior.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover employs composite material construction combining water-resistant outer layer with breathable inner layer. This composite structure provides both water resistance to protect against external moisture and breathability to allow internal moisture vapor to escape, simultaneously addressing both requirements.
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 provides a safer, more user-friendly engine cover that maintains form upon installation, can be easily installed and removed without ladders, and effectively manages moisture, enhancing maintenance efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
water-resistant yet breathable fabric layers, allowing moisture release while keeping moisture out
Data Source
AI summary
A protective cover for protecting aircraft engines is disclosed, the protective cover comprising a generally circular cross-section, a circumference, an outer side, and an inner side; said circumference being defined by a frame element having generally circular ring shape formed by a rod unit; said frame element comprising a plurality of attaching mechanisms being dispersed around said ring shaped frame, and being sized and configured to releasably attach said protective cover to an engine; said generally circular cross-section comprising one or more fabric layers contained in said ring shaped frame element. The protective cover is easily installed due to its attaching mechanisms and its breathable and durability protects the engine from damage.