Rear Engine Attachment Break Detectors for Thrust Path Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for inspecting aircraft engine thrust path failures require time-consuming disassembly of the rear engine attachment for thorough examination, which grounds the aircraft.
Innovation Solution
Integration of break detectors within the rear engine attachment's rudder, which deform upon failure, allowing for quick identification of primary thrust path issues without disassembly, utilizing a pivot connection and waiting fail-safe system to create an auxiliary thrust path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional inspection methods are used to check for thrust path failures, then thorough examination can be performed, but the inspection process becomes time-consuming and requires disassembly of the rear engine attachment
Solution Approach 1:
The break detectors are pre-installed on the rudder in a ready state during manufacturing. These detectors are positioned to automatically respond to thrust path failures without requiring manual inspection or disassembly during maintenance, thus performing the detection action in advance and eliminating the need for time-consuming disassembly operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The break detectors automatically detect and indicate thrust path failures through their own deformation or position change, eliminating the need for manual inspection procedures. The system serves itself by providing self-indicating failure detection that does not require disassembly of the rear engine attachment.
2Measurement precision
If the rear engine attachment is dismantled for inspection, then detailed examination of thrust path components is possible, but the aircraft must be grounded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical inspection process (requiring disassembly and physical examination) with a passive detection system. The break detectors provide failure information through their deformation or position state, eliminating the need for mechanical disassembly and allowing inspection without grounding the aircraft.
Solution Approach 2:
The break detectors act as intermediaries between the thrust path components and the inspection process. Instead of directly examining components through disassembly, inspectors query the state of the break detectors, which have already recorded failure information, thus obtaining detailed failure data without mechanical intervention.
3Loss of time
If break detectors are integrated into the rudder, then rapid failure detection is enabled without disassembly, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the entire rear engine attachment complex, the break detectors are applied locally to the rudder where they are most effective. Each detector is a simple, dedicated component that performs its specific function of detecting thrust path failures, avoiding the need to complicate the overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The break detectors are designed as simple, inexpensive components that can be easily replaced if damaged. Rather than investing in complex, expensive failure detection systems, the patent uses straightforward mechanical detectors that provide reliable failure indication and can be quickly replaced upon failure.
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
Enables rapid detection of thrust path failures during maintenance inspections without dismantling the rear engine attachment, reducing inspection time and allowing for immediate identification of flight incidents.
Implementation Method 1
a break detector integral with the rudder which is provided to come into contact with the beam in the event of a failure of the primary thrust path
Data Source
AI summary
A rear engine attachment includes a beam attached to the reactor strut, a rudder mounted by a pivot connection on the beam about a main rotational axis, and two thrust rods each exhibiting a first end attached to the rudder and a second end attached to a front section of an engine, the two thrust rods and the rudder attached to the beam together defining a primary thrust path between the engine and the reactor strut to bear the engine thrust. For each thrust rod, the rear engine attachment exhibits a waiting fail-safe system activated in the event of a failure of the primary thrust path. The rear engine attachment includes, for each thrust rod, a break detector integral with the rudder which is provided to come into contact with the beam in the event of a failure of the primary thrust path. The attachment allows a quick inspection to be made to determine whether there has been a failure of the primary thrust path.