Aircraft Tether Assembly for Pitot Cover and Lock Pin Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for removing pitot tube covers and landing gear lock pins from aircraft prior to flight are prone to human error, leading to potential structural damage and unnecessary expenses due to incomplete removal procedures, especially in remote locations with limited maintenance capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A tether assembly made of heat and environment-resistant materials that interconnects pitot tube covers with landing gear lock pins, using a lanyard with a biasing sleeve and elastic members to ensure secure attachment and easy removal, along with visible banners for preflight removal notifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate installation equipment and tools are provided for pitot tube covers and landing gear lock pins, then the functionality and versatility are improved, but the device complexity and number of separate items increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate maintenance items (pitot tube covers and landing gear lock pins) into a single integrated tether assembly. The assembly includes a tether with a first end for attaching to pitot tube covers and a second end for attaching to landing gear lock pins, eliminating the need for separate installation equipment and tools for each item.
Solution Approach 2:
The tether assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it secures both pitot tube covers and landing gear lock pins, provides a unified removal mechanism, and integrates storage for both items. This multi-functional design reduces the number of separate items needed while maintaining full functionality.
2Ease of operation
If manual removal procedures are used for pitot tube covers and lock pins, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability decreases due to human error
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the removal of pitot tube covers and landing gear lock pins into a single tether assembly removal action, the system ensures that both items are removed together. This eliminates the possibility of human error where one item might be forgotten, as the integrated design makes it impossible to remove the aircraft without removing both protective items.
Solution Approach 2:
The tether assembly acts as an intermediary mechanism that links the removal of two separate items. By attaching both the pitot tube covers and landing gear lock pins to the same tether, the system creates a mechanical interdependence that ensures compliance with removal procedures.
3Adaptability or versatility
If installation tools such as poles for higher mounted pitot tubes are provided, then the adaptability to different aircraft configurations is improved, but the device complexity and storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tether assembly is designed to be flexible and adaptable to different aircraft configurations. The tether can accommodate various mounting heights and positions of pitot tubes and landing gear lock pins on different aircraft types, eliminating the need for rigid, aircraft-specific installation tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates the functionality of multiple installation tools into a single tether assembly that can work with both lower and higher mounted probes. The tether's flexible design and adjustable attachment points provide adaptability to different aircraft configurations without requiring separate pole-mounted tools.
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 tether assembly effectively reduces the chances of pitot tube covers and lock pins remaining on the aircraft at takeoff, ensuring structural integrity and reducing unnecessary returns to base, while being compact enough for transport and storage on the aircraft.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member having a second end connected to said sleeve member whereby the length of the tether assembly is less that the distance about the fuselage between the pitot tubes and in assembly the elastic member is stretched to provide a biasing of the tether assembly against the fuselage
Data Source
AI summary
A ground maintenance assembly for an aircraft generally including a support member provided with a longitudinal bore and a rigid post portion, a first inner member provided with a longitudinal bore disposed in and secured in such support member and a second inner member provided with a longitudinal recess adapted to receive a pitot tube of such aircraft.