Aircraft Engine Strut Assembly for Centerline Thrust Reaction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft engine mounting structures cause engine bending due to reacting thrust off the engine centerline, leading to stiffness and weight issues, and require downward shifting of the engine for structural clearance.
Innovation Solution
A strut assembly with a mid truss assembly, aft truss assembly, and aft strut bulkhead, allowing thrust reaction at or below the engine centerline, featuring a ring-shaped engine mount member to encircle the engine, and wing mounting features aft of the bulkhead, reducing engine bending and enabling lighter engines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the strut box sits on top of the engine to provide structural support, then structural clearance is achieved, but the engine must be shifted downward which increases overall structure height and complicates mounting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional mounting arrangement by placing the strut box below the engine rather than on top. This allows the engine to be mounted in its optimal position without requiring downward shifting, while still achieving the necessary structural support and clearance through the inverted strut box configuration
2Stability of the object's composition
If thrust is reacted off the engine centerline to provide mounting stability, then engine bending occurs which drives stiffness and weight into engines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the thrust reaction function from the engine centerline and relocates it to the strut assembly below the engine. This separation allows the engine to maintain stability through proper mounting geometry while avoiding bending moments that would otherwise require additional stiffness and weight in the engine structure
3Area of stationary object
If the engine is shifted downward to accommodate the strut box on top, then structural clearance is provided, but the wetted area and drag increase
Solution Approach 1:
By inverting the strut box position to below the engine, the patent eliminates the need to shift the engine downward. This maintains the original engine position and orientation, preserving aerodynamic efficiency and minimizing wetted area while still providing the necessary structural clearance through the inverted configuration
Data Source
AI summary
A strut assembly, for coupling an engine to a wing of an aircraft, includes a mid truss assembly including a fore portion and an aft portion. The strut assembly includes an engine mount member connected to the fore portion of the mid truss assembly and including a ring shape configured to fully encircle a portion of the engine when the strut assembly is connected to the engine. The strut assembly includes an aft truss assembly including a fore portion and an aft portion. The fore portion of the aft truss assembly is connected to the aft portion of the mid truss assembly. The strut assembly includes an aft strut bulkhead connected to the aft portion of the aft truss assembly. The strut assembly includes a wing mounting feature operatively connected to, and located aft of, the aft strut bulkhead. The strut assembly includes a plurality of engine mounting features.