Aircraft Empennage Equipment Mounting via Removable Access Panel
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for mounting equipment on aircraft, especially those with empennage, often compromise aerodynamic profiles and create installation challenges due to limited space and interference with aircraft structures.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the removal of an access panel on the aircraft's empennage to attach a mounting structure that conforms to the access panel opening, allowing equipment to extend beyond the aircraft's skin while minimizing performance impact, and using a cover to preserve the aircraft's trim and reduce drag.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If equipment is mounted to the outside of the aircraft's main body or fuselage, then equipment installation is facilitated and space is maximized, but the aerodynamic profile of the aircraft is significantly adversely affected
Solution Approach 1:
The empennage structure is segmented to include a removable access panel, allowing equipment to be mounted in a dedicated compartment rather than on the external fuselage. This segmentation enables equipment installation while preserving the overall aerodynamic profile by integrating the equipment within the empennage structure itself.
Solution Approach 2:
Equipment is nested within the empennage structure by mounting it to the inner surface of the empennage or within a compartment formed by the empennage structure. The access panel provides access to this nested equipment space, allowing equipment to be housed within the aircraft structure rather than mounted externally, thus maintaining aerodynamic profile.
2Volume of moving object
If equipment is positioned in certain locations inside or outside the aircraft, then space for equipment is maximized, but performance is affected due to presence of wings, engine parts, and so on
Solution Approach 1:
The invention utilizes the vertical dimension of the empennage structure, specifically the space between the horizontal stabilizer and the aircraft fuselage, to mount equipment. This dimensional approach provides adequate equipment space while positioning equipment away from interference zones created by wings and engine parts, thus maintaining both equipment volume and performance.
3Reliability
If a rounded aerofoil-shaped pod is mounted on top of a vertical stabilizer, then equipment is protected, but accessing the space inside the pod is difficult and the space afforded is highly constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The empennage structure is segmented to include a removable access panel that provides direct access to the equipment mounting area. This segmentation eliminates the access difficulties associated with enclosed pods while maintaining equipment protection through the structured empennage mounting arrangement.
4Reliability
If equipment extends beyond the outer skin of the empennage, then equipment performance is compromised as little as possible, but aircraft drag increases and trim is affected
Solution Approach 1:
A cover conforming to the empennage outer skin contour is used to enclose the equipment mounting structure. This thin film-like cover preserves the aerodynamic profile by matching the empennage skin contour, minimizing drag and maintaining aircraft trim while allowing equipment to extend slightly beyond the skin for optimal performance.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a method of mounting equipment to an aircraft having an empennage. The method comprises mounting equipment to a mounting structure for mounting to the aircraft; removing an access panel from the outer skin of the empennage of the aircraft to reveal an access panel opening into the empennage; and attaching the mounting structure to or within the access panel opening such that at least a portion of the equipment extends beyond the outer skin of the empennage. The shape of the mounting structure at least partly conforms to the shape of the access panel opening. The method also comprises covering the mounting structure and the equipment mounted thereon with a cover, and attaching the cover to the mounting structure or the empennage. An assembly, structure, tailplane and aircraft are also provided.