Aircraft Engine Retrofit Adapter System Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft engine retrofitting technologies face challenges in adapting engines from one aircraft to another, particularly in accommodating different engine mount attachment points and integrating electrical, control, and fuel line connections, which limits compatibility and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The development of an engine mount adapter system comprising a circular member with longitudinally extending tubular members and mounting brackets, allowing for secure attachment of aircraft engines with varying mount points, along with methods for transferring and recalibrating associated systems to ensure compatibility and airworthiness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an engine is retrofitted from one aircraft to another with different inner portion dimensions, then engine compatibility is improved, but structural adaptation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an adapter assembly as an intermediary component between the engine and the aircraft's inner portion. This adapter includes a circular member with longitudinal members that bridge the dimensional differences between engines from different aircraft models, allowing compatibility without requiring complex structural modifications to either the engine or the aircraft airframe.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple attachment points are accommodated for different engine models, then retrofit versatility is improved, but attachment system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter assembly is designed with universal functionality to accommodate multiple engine attachment point configurations. The circular member with its longitudinal members can be configured to match different engine models' attachment requirements, allowing a single adapter design to serve multiple purposes across different engine types without requiring separate specialized attachment systems for each model.
3Reliability
If electrical and control connections are integrated during retrofitting, then system compatibility is improved, but integration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates electrical and control connections as part of the overall adapter assembly rather than treating them as separate integration tasks. By combining the mechanical mounting function with the electrical/connection integration into a unified adapter system, the patent reduces the overall complexity of the retrofitting process while ensuring system compatibility, as all connections are established through a coordinated single integration effort.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method of converting engines on a turboprop aircraft, including removing an existing engine and associated propeller from an aircraft fuselage, installing an engine mount adapter assembly to the fuselage, and installing a replacement engine to the engine mount adapter assembly, whereby at least some portions of the replacement engine are attached to the engine mount adapter assembly for structural support.