Aircraft Tail Tie-Down with Protective Projection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional aircraft tie-down systems can cause damage to the aft tail section and associated components when they inadvertently contact the ground, leading to issues such as damage to the aft bulkhead, horizontal stabilizers, vertical stabilizers, rudder, and tail cone.

Innovation Solution

A tie-down system comprising a mount member attached to the aft tail section and a projection member extending downward to provide a contact surface lower than the aft tail section, preventing ground contact and potential damage, which includes a method for installation by removing existing tie-down rings, fitting, and securing the tie-down with fasteners.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a traditional tie-down ring is used, then the aircraft can be secured to the ground, but the tie-down ring may dig into the soil and cause damage to the aft bulkhead and tail section when the aircraft contacts the ground

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of aft tail sectionVSAvoidground contact damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a protective tube as an intermediary component between the tie-down ring and the aft bulkhead. This tube extends downward from the bulkhead and provides a protective surface that contacts the ground first, preventing the tie-down ring from digging into the soil and causing damage to the bulkhead and tail section.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective tube is installed in advance to cushion and absorb the impact of ground contact. By having this protective structure already in place before ground contact occurs, the harmful effects of soil contact are prevented from reaching the critical aircraft components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the tie-down ring is removed completely, then damage to the aft tail section is prevented, but the aircraft loses its ability to be securely tied down

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of tail damageVSAvoidtie-down functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The protective tube serves multiple functions: it protects the aft bulkhead from ground contact damage, provides a secure mounting point for the tie-down ring, and maintains the aircraft's tie-down capability. This multi-functional design resolves the contradiction by preserving tie-down functionality while preventing damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If a protective structure is added below the aft tail section, then ground contact damage is prevented, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of critical structuresVSAvoidtie-down system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Rather than adding a complex protective structure throughout the entire aft tail section, the patent applies protection locally only where needed - specifically at the lowest point where ground contact would first occur. The protective tube is a simple, localized component that provides targeted protection without unnecessarily increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11554880B2Tail tie-down

Publication Date: 2023.01.17 NELSON PETE L

AI summary

A tie-down for attachment to an aft tail section of an aircraft for inhibiting damage to the aircraft when the aircraft is on the ground is disclosed. The tie-down has a mount member configured to attach to the aft tail section and a projection member supported by the mount member. The projection member extends in a generally downward direction from the mount member so as to provide a contact surface with the ground that is lower than the aft tail section.