Aircraft Cowling Hinge System Load Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing hinge systems for aircraft cowlings are encumbering when in the closed position due to their swan neck shape and alignment of pivot shafts, which increases the encumbrance and reduces efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a couple of stops, with one stop integral to the fixed structure and the other to the cowling, that are configured to be in contact with each other when the cowling is closed, allowing the elimination of one swan neck hinge and reducing encumbrance by absorbing loads, and being offset and designed with specific contact surfaces to facilitate alignment and immobilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a swan neck hinge system is used to increase spacing between cowling and fixed structure when open, then the cowling can be properly positioned in open position, but the hinge system becomes encumbering when closed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the load-absorbing function from the swan neck hinge structure and transfers it to a dedicated couple of stops. This allows the hinge system to be simplified by removing one of the four hinges while maintaining the necessary spacing and load absorption capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the load absorption function by introducing a dedicated couple of stops that work independently from the hinge mechanism. This segmentation allows the hinge system to focus on spacing and movement while the stops handle load absorption, reducing overall encumbrance.
2Strength
If multiple hinges with swan neck shape are used to ensure load absorption, then loads perpendicular to pivot axis are absorbed, but the number of hinges increases encumbrance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the load absorption function from the hinge structure and assigns it to a dedicated couple of stops. This allows reduction from four hinges to two hinges, maintaining load absorption capability while reducing encumbrance.
Solution Approach 2:
The couple of stops acts as an intermediary element between the cowling and fixed structure, specifically designed to absorb loads perpendicular to the pivot axis. This intermediary function allows the hinge system to be simplified.
3Ease of operation
If pivot shafts are aligned to form pivot axis for rotational movement, then the cowling can rotate between open and closed positions, but the alignment creates encumbrance in closed position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the alignment function from the pivot shaft system and transfers it to the couple of stops. The stops are positioned to engage with the cowling in a way that maintains proper alignment during rotation while reducing encumbrance in the closed position.
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft has at least one cowling, a fixed structure, and a hinge system connecting the cowling to the fixed structure. The hinge system includes at least two hinges and at least two stops, including a first stop integral with the fixed structure and a second stop integral with the cowling, the first and second stops being configured to be in contact one against the other when the cowling is in the closed position and to ensure an absorption of a part of the loads between the cowling and the fixed structure at least along a direction perpendicular to the pivot axis of the hinge system.