Integral Airframe Rib Pipe Connector

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Solution Overview

Problem

The complexity and length of the assembly process for pipe-work systems in engineered structures, such as aircraft, are increased by the need for numerous pipe connectors and openings in structural elements, which also weakens these structures.

Innovation Solution

The integration of pipe connector elements with airframe structural parts before assembly, allowing for fluid communication and reducing the number of required connectors by using a common axis orientation and shared connection means, thereby simplifying the assembly process and strengthening the structural elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If pipe connectors are mounted on structural elements to provide fluid transport routes, then fluid communication is enabled, but the structural elements are weakened due to openings and fixing points

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid communication capabilityVSAvoidstructural element strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The pipe connector element and airframe structural part are integrally formed as a single unified component, eliminating the need for separate mounting operations and reducing the number of openings required in structural elements. This merging maintains structural integrity while providing fluid transport capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a large number of different connectors or pipe sections are used to provide specific pipe routes, then fluid transport flexibility is improved, but the assembly process complexity and length increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepipe route flexibilityVSAvoidassembly process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pipe connector element is designed with multiple pipe connection means that can be oriented on different common axes, allowing a single universal component type to accommodate various pipe routing requirements. This reduces the variety of different connector types needed while maintaining routing flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The pipe connector element is divided into functional segments (multiple pipe connection means) that can be independently oriented on different common axes, enabling flexible pipe routing through a modular arrangement of connection points while simplifying the overall assembly process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple pipe connectors and openings are used to accommodate pipe-work, then fluid transport routes are established, but the assembly time and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepipe-work accommodationVSAvoidassembly speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating the pipe connector element with the airframe structural part into a single component, the number of separate assembly operations is reduced. The integral formation allows pipe-work to be accommodated during the same assembly process used for installing structural elements, thereby improving assembly productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS9248901B2Airframe structural element

Publication Date: 2016.02.02 AIRBUS OPERATIONS LTD

AI summary

An airframe structural element, such as an aircraft rib, is disclosed that comprises an integral pipe connector element for connecting pipes through the structural element. The pipe connection means provided by the pipe connector element may be aligned on a common axis with a pipe connection means provided by an adjacent airframe structural element.