Aircraft Engine Shackle with Pivot Stops

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing aircraft engine attachment systems suffer from damage due to unpredictable rotations and expansion differences between the motive-power unit and the primary structure, leading to potential damage to the shackle and clevis blocks during operation.

Innovation Solution

The engine attachment system incorporates a two-point shackle with an extension and stops projecting from its faces, allowing the shackle to pivot without contacting the clevis block, and includes releasable stops made of malleable material to prevent damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the shackle is rigidly connected to the clevis block, then the connection strength is improved, but the shackle may be damaged due to unpredictable rotations and expansion differences

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidshackle damage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by allowing the shackle to pivot relative to the clevis block through a pivot point, transforming the rigid connection into a dynamic one. This enables the shackle to accommodate unpredictable rotations and expansion differences between the motive-power unit and primary structure, preventing damage while maintaining connection strength through controlled movement rather than rigid restraint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the shackle is allowed to pivot freely, then the damage risk is reduced, but the connection stability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshackle damage preventionVSAvoidconnection stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs the intermediary principle by introducing a pivot point as a mediator between the shackle and clevis block. This pivot point enables controlled relative movement, allowing the shackle to pivot freely to avoid damage from expansion differences while maintaining connection stability through the defined pivot mechanism. The pivot point acts as an intermediary that translates rotational freedom into stable, controlled movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If stops are added to prevent contact between shackle and clevis block, then the protection is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontact preventionVSAvoidshackle structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the preliminary action principle by incorporating stops that are pre-positioned on the shackle to prevent contact with the clevis block before damage can occur. These stops are integrated into the shackle structure during manufacturing, providing proactive protection against harmful contact while minimizing additional complexity through straightforward geometric features rather than complex mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20250304271A1Aircraft engine attachment system comprising a two-point shackle equipped with at least one stop, aircraft comprising at least one such engine attachment system
Publication Date: 2025.10.02 AIRBUS OPERATIONS (SAS)
  • US20250304271A1 patent drawing
  • US20250304271A1 patent drawing
  • US20250304271A1 patent drawing

AI summary

An engine attachment system connecting an aircraft motive-power unit and a primary structure of an aircraft pylon, and comprising: at least one clevis block secured to the primary structure or to the motive-power unit, at least one two-point shackle which comprises a body, an extension forming just one single component with the body, at least a first stop connected to the extension and facing a first flange of the clevis block and/or at least a second stop connected to the extension and facing a second flange of the clevis block, a connection pin housed in an orifice passing through the body, and a ball-joint connection positioned in the orifice and interposed between the body and the connection pin.