Two-Piece Engine Collar for 45° Isolator Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of installing and removing turboprop engines with 45° isolators requires a new design that maintains ideal drop-in capability while ensuring precise alignment and reducing scrap rates, as previous designs with single collar pieces complicate installation and are inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A two-piece machined engine collar design comprising upper and lower collar pieces joined by splice plates, with engine isolation mounting points at 45° from the centerline, allowing for easy installation and removal while supporting the engine load back to the airframe.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a single collar piece design is used with 45° isolators, then the engine collar can be manufactured as a complete ring, but the installation becomes complicated and requires structural trusses and collar to be installed prior to engine installation, reducing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The engine collar is divided into two separate pieces that can be independently manufactured and then assembled together. This segmentation allows each piece to be manufactured separately without requiring complex prior installation of structural trusses and collar components, thereby simplifying the installation process while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
2Device complexity
If a single collar piece design is used, then the structure is simpler, but the alignment precision for multiple attachment locations and isolators becomes difficult to achieve, resulting in high scrap rate
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the collar into two pieces, each piece can be manufactured with fewer attachment locations and isolators, reducing the alignment complexity for each individual piece. The splice joint between pieces provides a reference point that facilitates precise alignment during assembly, thereby improving overall manufacturing precision while reducing scrap rate.
Solution Approach 2:
The splice joint acts as an intermediary element between the two collar pieces. It provides a controlled interface that enables precise alignment and assembly of the two pieces, ensuring accurate positioning of attachment locations and isolators while maintaining structural integrity.
3Reliability
If 45° isolators are used, then engine vibration is reduced and performance is improved, but the installation and removal process becomes more complicated compared to legacy 30° isolator designs
Solution Approach 1:
The two-piece collar design with segmentation allows for easier installation and removal of the engine assembly. The separated pieces can be independently positioned and secured to the 45° isolators, simplifying the installation process while maintaining the vibration-reducing benefits of the 45° isolator configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
An engine collar, aircraft, and method of installing an engine in an aircraft are provided. The engine collar includes a first engine collar piece, including a first portion of a ring, a second engine collar piece, including a second portion of a ring, and a plurality of splice plates joining the first engine collar piece to the second engine collar piece; where each of the first engine collar piece and the second engine collar piece have two engine isolation mounting points and a plurality of attachment points for connecting the engine collar to a plurality of engine supports.