Aircraft Engine Stand Load Transfer via Pivot Pin
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft engine stands are cumbersome and heavy due to the need for a large diagonal brace to transfer axial and lateral loads to the front of the engine, requiring unnecessary labor and material, and complicating engine installation and removal.
Innovation Solution
The design eliminates the diagonal brace by using a large diameter pin and pivot shaft to transfer loads, reducing weight and material costs, and incorporating torsion springs for easier arm rotation, allowing for a more compact and user-friendly engine stand.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a diagonal brace is used to transfer axial and lateral loads to the front of the engine, then load transfer effectiveness is improved, but the stand becomes heavy and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the diagonal brace from the stand structure entirely. Instead of using a brace to transfer loads, the design relies on the cradle frame and arm assemblies with pivot shafts and pins to achieve load transfer, thereby eliminating the unnecessary weight and complexity of the brace while maintaining structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces pivotable arm assemblies that can rotate between stowed and upright configurations. This dynamic capability allows the arms to be positioned optimally for load transfer during engine installation while reducing the overall structural requirements, enabling effective load transfer without the need for heavy diagonal bracing
2Stability of the object's composition
If a diagonal brace is used to transfer loads, then structural stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The diagonal brace is completely removed from the design. The patent achieves structural stability through a simplified configuration consisting of a cradle frame with pivotably mounted arm assemblies, connected via pivot shafts and pins, eliminating the need for complex bracing structures
Solution Approach 2:
The arm assemblies serve multiple functions: they provide structural support, enable load transfer through their pivot connections, and allow for configuration changes between stowed and upright positions. This multi-functionality replaces the need for separate diagonal braces while maintaining structural stability
3Strength
If a diagonal brace is installed, then load transfer capability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The arm assemblies are designed to pivot between stowed and upright configurations, allowing easy access to the engine area during installation and removal operations. This dynamic positioning capability eliminates the need to remove diagonal braces while maintaining full load transfer capability when the arms are in the upright position
Solution Approach 2:
The stand is divided into modular components including the cradle frame, pivotable arm assemblies, and connection pins. This segmentation allows the arms to be independently positioned and the connection elements to be easily engaged or disengaged, facilitating simple engine installation and removal without requiring brace removal
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
This solution reduces the weight and material costs of the engine stand, simplifies engine installation and removal, and enhances user safety by minimizing the force required to rotate the support arms, while maintaining effective load transfer to the front of the engine.
Implementation Method 1
a first torsion spring secured to the cradle frame for at least partially counterbalancing the first arm assembly, and a second torsion spring secured to the cradle frame for at least partially counterbalancing the second arm assembly
Data Source
AI summary
An improved aircraft engine stand is disclosed, which comprises a cradle comprising a cradle frame having first and second frame load transfer openings, first and second arm assemblies secured to the cradle frame and having first and second arm load transfer openings, and first and second load transfer pins shaped to be received in the load transfer openings. The frame load transfer openings can be aligned with the arm load transfer openings such that when the each load transfer pin is inserted into both a frame load transfer opening and an arm load transfer opening, lateral and axial loads placed on the arm assembly are transferred to the cradle frame.