Flexible Tube Latching for Aircraft Engine Internal Servicing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for servicing aircraft engines, particularly for inspecting and repairing internal components, are complicated and inefficient, often requiring cumbersome tools and procedures.

Innovation Solution

A flexible hollow tube with a latching mechanism at its distal end is used to secure onto rotor blades, allowing a servicing device, such as a borescope, to be inserted and moved within the engine while decoupled from the latching mechanism, enabling easy inspection and repair operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional servicing methods are used for aircraft engines, then inspection and repair operations can be performed, but the procedures are complicated and operationally complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of servicingVSAvoidprocedural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The servicing system is segmented into distinct functional components: a flexible hollow tube for access, a latching mechanism for secure attachment, and a servicing device for actual maintenance operations. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall servicing procedure by breaking down complex tasks into manageable steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible hollow tube acts as an intermediary element that bridges the external servicing device and the internal engine components. It provides a protected passage and positioning structure, eliminating the need for complex direct access procedures and reducing operational complexity while maintaining ease of servicing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If traditional inspection tools are used, then internal components can be inspected, but the tools are cumbersome and procedures are complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinspection efficiencyVSAvoidtool complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible hollow tube serves as a flexible shell that can navigate through engine access ports and position itself near internal components. This flexibility eliminates the need for rigid, cumbersome inspection tools and allows for simplified insertion and positioning procedures, thereby improving inspection efficiency without increasing tool complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The latching mechanism provides dynamic attachment capability, allowing the flexible tube to be quickly secured to rotor blades during rotation. This dynamic feature enables rapid inspection operations without requiring complex static positioning systems, thus improving productivity while keeping the device simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If servicing devices are coupled to latching mechanisms, then secure attachment is achieved, but movement and repositioning become restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of movementVSAvoidattachment security

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates the attachment function (latching mechanism on the flexible tube) from the servicing function (device inserted through the tube). This segmentation allows the servicing device to move freely within the tube while the tube itself remains securely latched to the rotor blade, simultaneously achieving ease of movement and attachment security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible hollow tube serves as an intermediary that decouples the movement of the servicing device from the latching mechanism. The tube transmits the attachment security to the rotor blade while allowing the servicing device to move independently within its protected passage, resolving the contradiction between movement freedom and attachment security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Productivity

If complex insertion tools are used, then damage inspection can be performed, but the process becomes time-consuming and costly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservicing speedVSAvoidinspection time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible hollow tube with latching mechanism is prepared in advance and can be quickly inserted through existing engine access ports. The latching mechanism is designed to engage with rotor blades during rotation, eliminating the need for time-consuming disassembly or complex positioning procedures. This preliminary preparation and simplified insertion process directly improves servicing speed while reducing inspection time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12522377B2System and method for servicing aircraft engines

Publication Date: 2026.01.13 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO

AI summary

An apparatus for servicing internal components of an aircraft engine includes a flexible hollow tube; a latching mechanism connected to or incorporated with the flexible hollow tube; and a servicing device to be inserted through the flexible hollow tube. The servicing device is freely moveable through the flexible hollow tube and decoupled from the latching mechanism. The flexible hollow tube is shaped and configured so as to enable proximate positioning of the flexible hollow tube with respect to a rotatable component of an aircraft engine allowing attachment of the flexible hollow tube to the rotatable component via the latching mechanism after the flexible hollow tube is inserted through an entry port of the aircraft engine.