Aircraft Antenna Fairing Quick Connection Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing connection assemblies for aircraft fairings are cumbersome, requiring many parts, increasing weight and installation time, and do not allow for quick coupling/decoupling while ensuring aerodynamic efficiency and withstanding environmental stresses like lightning and bird strikes.

Innovation Solution

A connection assembly comprising a guide assembly with a C-shaped or U-shaped channel for slidably receiving a guide head, a latch assembly for secure attachment, and intermediate supports to manage pressure and loads, allowing for quick assembly and disassembly without transferring loads to the primary aircraft structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a relatively large number of parts are used to secure the fairing to the aircraft structure, then the fairing can be securely attached, but the weight and installation time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefairing attachment securityVSAvoidconnection assembly weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple connection functions into a single integrated connection assembly that includes a mounting plate, fasteners, and sealing elements. This merging of components reduces the total number of parts while maintaining secure attachment, directly resolving the contradiction between attachment security and weight reduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting plate is designed with multiple attachment points and universal mounting patterns that can accommodate different fairing configurations and aircraft models. This multi-functionality allows a single connection assembly design to serve multiple purposes, reducing the need for additional specialized parts and thereby reducing overall weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a relatively large number of parts are used to secure the fairing to the aircraft structure, then the fairing can be securely attached, but the installation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefairing attachment securityVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The connection assembly is segmented into modular components including a mounting plate, fasteners, and sealing elements that can be pre-assembled and then quickly installed as a unit. This segmentation allows for simplified installation procedures while maintaining secure attachment, directly addressing the contradiction between attachment security and installation time reduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting plate and associated components are designed to be pre-configured with mounting patterns and pre-installed sealing elements before aircraft assembly. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex on-site assembly operations, significantly reducing installation time while ensuring secure attachment through pre-engineered connection points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the seal pressure against the aircraft structure is increased, then the sealing effectiveness improves, but undue loading is created on the aircraft structure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidload on aircraft structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs compliant sealing elements made of elastomeric materials that can deform under compression to create effective seals. By using material compliance rather than increasing mechanical pressure, the system achieves high sealing effectiveness while maintaining low reaction forces on the aircraft structure, directly resolving the contradiction between seal pressure and structural loading.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The connection assembly uses composite construction with rigid mounting plate elements for structural support and compliant elastomeric sealing elements for sealing. This material differentiation allows the rigid components to bear structural loads while the compliant seals provide effective sealing through deformation rather than high pressure, eliminating the need to increase seal pressure and thereby avoiding undue loading on the aircraft structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP3239038B1Quick connection assemblies especially useful for coupling aircraft antenna fairings to airframe structures

Publication Date: 2021.12.22 YABORA IND AERONAUTICA SA

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AI summary

Aircraft antenna fairing assemblies (20) include a fairing shell (30) and connection components (60, 70, 80, 90) for positionally fixing the fairing shell to airframe structure of an aircraft (10). The connection components comprise a guide assembly (60, 70) having a guide head (62b, 74b) and a receiver (64, 78) defining a guide channel for receiving the guide head therewithin, and a latch assembly (90) for latching the fairing shell to the airframe structure of the aircraft. The receiver of the guide assembly defines a generally C-shaped or generally U-shaped channel for receiving the guide head therewithin.