Aircraft Fuselage Equipment Mounting with Segmented Frames
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for mounting equipment on aircraft fuselages, such as removable equipment pods, are limited in strength and capacity, restricting the use of larger loads and affecting equipment performance.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the irremovable attachment of substantially planar frames and intercostal ribs to the fuselage, with a removable cover for mounting equipment, providing additional strength and flexibility in load distribution while maintaining aerodynamic performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If removable equipment pods are used to mount equipment on the fuselage, then ease of installation and removal is improved, but the load-bearing strength and structural capacity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting structure is segmented into a permanent structural framework (frames and intercostal ribs) and a removable cover. The permanent framework provides the necessary load-bearing strength and is irremovably attached to the fuselage, while the removable cover allows for easy installation and removal of equipment. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by assigning different functional requirements to different parts of the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a fully removable pod to a hybrid structure where the structural framework is permanent and the cover is removable. This dynamic approach allows the structure to adapt to different operational requirements: the permanent framework ensures strength when needed, while the removable cover provides ease of access when equipment needs to be installed or removed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If larger loads are mounted on the fuselage, then equipment capacity and performance are improved, but the structural complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting structure is divided into modular components: multiple planar frames spaced apart along the fuselage, with intercostal ribs connecting them. This segmentation allows the structure to be designed and manufactured in manageable sections that can be assembled systematically, reducing overall complexity while providing the capacity for larger loads through the distributed framework.
Solution Approach 2:
The structure uses local reinforcement through intercostal ribs that connect adjacent frames, providing additional strength precisely where needed to support larger loads. Rather than uniformly increasing the complexity of the entire structure, local quality enhancements are applied only to the specific areas requiring increased load-bearing capacity.
3Volume of moving object
If frames are spaced apart orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, then available space for equipment is improved, but the aerodynamic performance may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
A cover is used to enclose the mounting structure and equipment, creating a streamlined outer surface that maintains aerodynamic performance. The cover acts as a flexible shell that can be shaped to reduce drag and minimize the aerodynamic impact of the internally spaced frames, while the frames themselves remain spaced apart to provide adequate equipment volume.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a method of mounting equipment to an aircraft. The method comprises attaching a mounting structure to the fuselage of the aircraft, the fuselage extending lengthwise along a longitudinal axis. This comprises irremovably attaching a plurality of substantially planar frames to the exterior of the fuselage, such that each frame is oriented orthogonal to the longitudinal axis and spaced apart from an adjacent frame; and irremovably attaching a plurality of intercostal ribs between pairs of adjacent frames of the plurality frames, such that each rib is oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis and attached to each of a pair of said adjacent frames. The method further comprises mounting equipment to or within the mounting structure; and covering the mounting structure and the equipment mounted thereon or therein with a cover. The method further comprises removably attaching the cover to the mounting structure or the fuselage. An assembly, structure, tailplane and aircraft are also provided.