Compact Front Engine Attachment Layout for Larger Aircraft Fans
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing size of aircraft engine fans reduces the distance between the nacelle and the ground, necessitating a new arrangement to reduce the height of the front engine attachment and move the nacelle closer to the wing.
Innovation Solution
A front engine attachment system incorporating an engine pylon and front engine attachment with a vertical median plane, featuring a male clevis, cylindrical stud, and ball-joint connections to reduce vertical bulk, including a first shaft perpendicular to the median plane and ball-joint connections for force transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the fan size is increased to improve engine performance, then engine performance is improved, but the distance between the nacelle and the ground is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the engine pylon and front engine attachment into a single integrated structure. The pylon includes a nose portion that directly forms part of the attachment mechanism, eliminating the need for a separate front attachment component. This integration reduces the overall vertical height of the engine assembly, allowing the nacelle to be positioned closer to the ground while maintaining structural integrity and force transmission capabilities.
2Length of moving object
If the height of the front engine attachment is reduced to move the nacelle closer to the wing, then the vertical bulk is reduced, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pylon is designed as an integrated structure where the nose portion incorporates the front engine attachment functionality. The links connect to the nose at a first ball-joint connection, while the nose simultaneously provides the second ball-joint connection to the front casing. This merging of functions into a single structural element reduces vertical height without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The nose of the pylon serves multiple functions: it provides structural support as part of the pylon, acts as a mounting point for the first ball-joint connection to the links, and provides the second ball-joint connection to the front casing. This multi-functionality allows the same structural element to fulfill multiple roles, reducing the need for additional components and minimizing vertical bulk.
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 system reduces vertical bulk by integrating the front engine attachment into the engine pylon, ensuring efficient force transmission and providing backup safety mechanisms for primary force paths.
Implementation Method 1
a first shaft, which is perpendicular to the median plane and establishes a first ball-joint connection of the links to the male clevis about a first axis
Data Source
AI summary
A front engine attachment system for an engine having an engine pylon with a nose having a male clevis and a cylindrical stud, two links that are fastened to the engine by a second ball-joint connection about a second axis, a first shaft establishing a first ball-joint connection of the links to the male clevis about a first axis, wherein the first axis and the second axis are in the same vertical plane, and wherein the cylindrical stud is mounted so as to be able to move, via an annular linear connection, with respect to the front casing.