Braced-Pylon Architecture for Aircraft Engine Mounting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing weight and size of advanced turbofan engines pose challenges for engine mounting pylons, leading to geometric constraints, increased stress, and aerodynamic drag, making it difficult to install and maintain these engines on aircraft.
Innovation Solution
A braced-pylon architecture with a primary structure and ball-joint attachments, featuring lateral and transverse braces that reduce the dimensions of the primary structure and distribute mechanical forces, allowing for a more compact and lightweight design that minimizes drag and weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the engine weight and size increase to provide higher thrust, then the engine thrust capability is improved, but the pylon dimensions and weight must increase to support the additional load
Solution Approach 1:
The pylon is divided into a primary structure and a secondary structure. The primary structure (structural box) handles the main mechanical loads, while the secondary structure (fairing elements) manages aerodynamic effects and integrates routing. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently, reducing overall weight while supporting higher engine thrust.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a bracing system with lateral and transverse braces that add structural support in additional dimensions. This allows the primary structure to be reduced in size while maintaining strength, as the braces provide reinforcement from different spatial directions.
2Strength
If the pylon dimensions are enlarged to support heavier engines, then the structural strength is improved, but the aerodynamic drag increases
Solution Approach 1:
Separating the structural function (primary structure) from the aerodynamic function (secondary structure/fairing) allows each to be optimized. The fairing can be shaped to minimize drag while the structural box maintains strength through its braced configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracing system adds structural support in lateral and transverse dimensions, allowing the primary structure to be smaller in the main flow direction. This reduces the pylon's frontal area and overall drag while maintaining the required strength through multi-dimensional bracing.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the pylon dimensions are reduced to improve aerodynamics, then the drag is decreased, but the structural strength to support heavy engines is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The bracing system provides structural reinforcement from lateral and transverse dimensions, allowing the primary structure to be reduced in size without compromising strength. The braces act as additional support elements that compensate for the reduced dimensions of the main structural box.
Solution Approach 2:
The pylon combines different structural elements (structural box, braces, fairing) that can be made from appropriate materials optimized for their specific functions. This allows the overall structure to be lighter and more aerodynamic while maintaining the required strength through material optimization.
4Weight of stationary object
If the primary structure dimensions are reduced, then the drag and weight are decreased, but the space for routing conduits and cables is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The separation of primary and secondary structures creates dedicated spaces for routing. The secondary structure (fairing) provides protected pathways for hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical conduits, allowing the primary structure to be minimized for weight and aerodynamics.
Solution Approach 2:
The routing systems are nested within the fairing elements of the secondary structure. Conduits and cables are routed through the fairing's internal cavity, allowing the primary structure to be compact while still providing adequate routing space through the nested arrangement.
Data Source
AI summary
An engine mounting pylon for suspending a turbofan beneath an aircraft wing, including a primary structure, a fastening device for fastening to the turbofan, and a fastening device for fastening to the wing. The engine mounting pylon furthermore comprises multiple rigid braces that mechanically connect the primary structure to the wing of the aircraft, a first brace-attachment device that mechanically connects a first end of each brace to the wing, and a second brace-attachment device that mechanically connects a second end of each brace to the primary structure. This braced-pylon architecture makes it possible to reduce the dimensions of the primary structure and the various elements that constitute the first and second attachment devices.