Flexible Band Mount for Aircraft Propulsor Instrument Clusters
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Solution Overview
Problem
The limited space on inlet bulkheads of aircraft propulsors restricts the number of instrumentation clusters that can be mounted for monitoring and testing, as traditional mounting methods do not allow for sufficient installation of multiple instruments.
Innovation Solution
A flexible band electrical component mount system that includes a flexible band with electrical component openings to surround the aircraft propulsor and a band coupler to couple together portions of the band, enabling the mounting of a high number of instruments by wrapping around the propulsor and using straps or couplers for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If traditional individual brackets are mounted on inlet bulkheads, then the mounting structure is simple and stable, but the limited space on inlet bulkheads restricts the number of instruments that can be mounted
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible band mount transitions the mounting arrangement from a two-dimensional surface mounting on the inlet bulkhead to a three-dimensional configuration that wraps around the propulsor, utilizing the circumferential space around the engine intake. This dimensional change allows multiple instrument clusters to be mounted in a distributed pattern around the propulsor rather than confined to a flat bulkhead surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs a flexible band that can be wrapped around the propulsor and secured with couplers, creating a flexible mounting structure that adapts to the propulsor's geometry. This flexible band system provides a large effective mounting area while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure, resolving the contradiction between mounting capacity and structural complexity.
2Reliability
If multiple individual brackets are mounted on the inlet bulkhead, then each instrument has a stable mounting position, but the total number of mountable instruments is limited by available space
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple individual bracket functions into a single integrated flexible band mounting system. The flexible band acts as a common support structure that can accommodate multiple instrument clusters simultaneously, providing stable mounting for each instrument while increasing the total number of mountable instruments beyond what individual bulkhead brackets could provide.
3Quantity of substance
If a flexible band is used to surround the propulsor with multiple electrical component openings, then the number of mountable instruments increases, but the device complexity increases with band couplers and flexible band structure
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible band serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the structural support for mounting instruments, acts as the positioning mechanism through its circumferential wrap, provides electrical isolation, and enables adjustment to different propulsor sizes. The couplers provide both connection and tensioning functions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, offsetting the apparent complexity increase.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for a flexible band electrical component mount that includes a flexible band configured to receive one or more electrical components. The flexible band may be configured to couple to and/or wrap around at least a portion of an aircraft propulsor. The electrical components may be configured to output data from the aircraft propulsor and/or data related to operation of the aircraft propulsor. Such flexible bands may be configured to receive a plurality of electrical components and may be configured to wrap around the portion of the aircraft propulsor a plurality of times.