Aircraft Engine Thrust Device Horizontal Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing configuration for absorbing thrust forces in aircraft engine assemblies, particularly for large engines, restricts the space between the mast and the engine, making it difficult for technicians to perform maintenance operations due to limited access to connections between the connecting rods and the spreader bar/side fittings.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a system of connecting pins mounted horizontally, which increases access to the connections between the spreader bar and the connecting rods, allowing for improved compactness and ease of maintenance by enabling the use of a main connecting pin and a secondary connecting pin to securely attach the connecting rods to the spreader bar and main fitting, while providing redundant force paths in case of component failure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the space between the mast and the engine is reduced to accommodate large engines, then the engine size can be increased, but the accessibility for maintenance operations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the orientation of the connecting rod connections from a vertical arrangement (access from above) to a horizontal arrangement (access from the side). The connecting rods are arranged substantially horizontally between the engine and the mast, with their articulation points positioned laterally, allowing technicians to access connections from the side rather than from above, thus resolving the accessibility issue while maintaining compact vertical space.
2Device complexity
If the connecting rods are arranged vertically with articulation points above, then the structural simplicity is improved, but the maintenance accessibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the articulation points of the connecting rods from a vertical position (above the connecting rods) to a lateral position (at the ends of the connecting rods, positioned side-by-side). This dimensional change in the arrangement of articulation points enables side access for maintenance while preserving the structural simplicity of the thrust force absorption mechanism.
3Length of stationary object
If the space between the mast and the engine is minimized, then the ground clearance is improved, but the ease of fitting and dismantling connecting rods deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent arranges the connecting rods substantially horizontally with articulation points positioned laterally, creating side access pathways for maintenance operations. This horizontal arrangement with lateral articulation points allows technicians to fit and dismantle connecting rods from the side, improving ease of manufacture and maintenance while maintaining minimal vertical space between the mast and engine for adequate ground clearance.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a motor assembly comprising a mast and an engine surrounded by a nacelle having a longitudinal axis, a vertical plane (V) parallel to the longitudinal axis dividing the motor assembly into two symmetrical left and right parts, the engine being suspended from the mast by a front engine mount, a rear engine mount, and a thrust force transfer device (10) disposed between the rear engine mount and the front engine mount and comprising two connecting rods (11, 12) arranged on either side of the vertical plane (V) and each having a front end (11b, 12b) articulated to the engine and a rear end (11a, 12a) articulated to a main fitting (20) by means of a rocker arm (30) pivotally mounted on the main fitting (20) about an axis of rotation (R1) orthogonal to a mean thrust force transmission plane (P) and disposed in the vertical plane (V), the rear end (11a,12a) of each connecting rod (11,12) includes a spherical ring (11e,12e) in which is inserted a main connecting shaft (41) disposed in the mean plane of transmission of the thrust forces (P) and orthogonal to the axis of rotation (R1), said main connecting shaft (41) mechanically connecting, on the one hand, without mechanical play, the connecting rods (11,12) to the rocker arm (30), and on the other hand, with mechanical play, the connecting rods to the main fitting (20) by means of two arms (25,26) distributed symmetrically on either side of the vertical plane (V).