Aircraft Cargo Attenuator Member for Wing Deflection Loads
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft cargo restraints face challenges in accommodating wing deflection during flight, leading to uneven loads on the cargo deck, which can cause damage to both the aircraft and cargo due to the fixed nature of traditional restraints.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of an attenuator member fixed at two attachment locations within the cargo storage compartment, which deflects in response to loads applied by cargo restraints, allowing these restraints to move and absorb distortion, thereby reducing the transmission of damaging loads to the aircraft structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fixed cargo restraints are used to securely retain ULDs and pallets, then cargo stability is improved, but damaging loads are transmitted to the aircraft structure during wing deflection
Solution Approach 1:
The cargo restraint system transitions from a fixed structure to a dynamic one by introducing an attenuator member that can flex and deflect. The attenuator member includes a resilient portion that allows the restraint to adapt its position and absorb structural distortions, maintaining cargo stability while preventing damage during aircraft flight maneuvers.
Solution Approach 2:
The attenuator member changes its physical parameters (position, shape, length) in response to applied loads. The resilient portion of the attenuator member deflects under load, changing the geometric parameters of the restraint system to accommodate wing deflection and cargo movement, thereby reducing transmitted loads to the aircraft structure.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If attenuator member is introduced to reduce damaging loads, then protection of aircraft structure is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The attenuator member utilizes a resilient portion that functions as a flexible element, allowing the restraint system to absorb and attenuate loads through elastic deformation. This flexible component replaces complex mechanical attenuation mechanisms with a simpler, more reliable elastic element that reduces damaging loads while adding minimal complexity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If cargo restraints are made flexible to accommodate wing deflection, then transmission of damaging loads is reduced, but cargo restraint effectiveness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The attenuator member is segmented into distinct functional portions: a first portion that provides rigid restraint attachment, a resilient portion that provides flexibility and load attenuation, and a second portion that connects to the cargo restraint. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function optimally while working together as an integrated system.
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
This solution effectively attenuates the loads caused by wing deflection, preventing damage to the aircraft and cargo by allowing the cargo restraints to adjust and distribute forces more evenly, thus enhancing the stability and safety of cargo transport.
Implementation Method 1
The attenuator member is configured to deflect in response to a load, applied to the attenuator member by the cargo restraint
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An aircraft cargo restraint system includes an attenuator member fixed at two first attachment locations within a cargo storage compartment of a fuselage of an aircraft. The cargo restraint system also includes a cargo restraint configured to be coupled to the attenuator member at a second attachment location of the attenuator member, located between the two first attachment locations. The cargo restraint is configured to restrain cargo loaded on a cargo deck of the cargo storage compartment. The attenuator member is configured to deflect in response to a load applied to the attenuator member by the cargo restraint.