Removable Fuselage Panel for Aircraft Fuel Tank Hoisting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydrogen storage systems lack efficient methods for installation and removal of fuel tanks in/from the aircraft structure, particularly for liquid hydrogen cryotanks, which face challenges in accommodating within aircraft fuel storage tanks and associated equipment, requiring complex maintenance operations and structural integrity under various loads.
Innovation Solution
An aircraft fuselage section with a top removable structural panel attached to the fuel tank via internal and external anchor points, connected to external hoisting means, allowing the tank to be lifted efficiently using frame joints for detachment and removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the fuel tank is permanently integrated into the aircraft fuselage structure, then structural integrity is improved, but maintenance accessibility and fuel storage efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The aircraft fuselage is divided into a permanent structure and a removable panel section. The removable panel is detached from the fuselage structure, allowing the fuel tank to be accessed and removed independently while maintaining the integrity of the main fuselage structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection between the panel and fuselage is made dynamic rather than static. The panel can be in a connected state during flight for structural integrity and in a disconnected state during maintenance for accessibility. This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt to different operational requirements.
2Ease of repair
If access holes are created in the fuselage for fuel tank removal, then maintenance accessibility is improved, but structural integrity and weight optimization deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of creating access holes in the fuselage, the invention segments the fuselage into a permanent structure and a removable panel. The panel itself becomes the access path, eliminating the need for additional holes or openings in the main fuselage structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The panel is extracted as a separate removable component from the fuselage structure. This extraction allows the fuel tank to be accessed through the panel removal rather than through holes in the fuselage, maintaining structural integrity while providing maintenance access.
3Quantity of substance
If the fuel tank is made larger to maximize storage capacity, then fuel storage efficiency is improved, but installation and removal complexity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel tank system is segmented into a fixed mounting structure and a removable panel assembly. This segmentation allows the fuel tank to be installed and removed as a complete unit through the panel, simplifying the process regardless of the tank's size or capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The removable panel acts as an intermediary between the fuel tank and the fuselage structure. It provides a standardized interface that simplifies the installation and removal process, mediating between the large fuel tank and the aircraft structure without requiring complex manipulation.
4Reliability
If traditional attachment methods are used for fuel tank installation, then structural integrity is improved, but maintenance time and operational efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system is segmented into permanent mounting points on the fuselage and corresponding attachment mechanisms on the removable panel. This segmentation allows for quick connection and disconnection while maintaining structural integrity when connected.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment system transitions from static traditional methods to a dynamic removable panel system. The panel can be quickly detached and reattached, reducing maintenance time while maintaining structural integrity during flight operations.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
Aircraft fuselage section (1) comprising a fuel tank (2), the aircraft fuselage section (1) further comprising a top removable structural panel (3), wherein: - the fuel tank (2) is attached to the top removable structural panel (3) by means of attachment joints (4) attached to the panel (3) at internal anchor points (5), - the top removable structural panel (3) comprises external anchor points (6) placed in the areas of the panel (3) where the internal anchor points (5) are located, the external anchor points (6) being configured to be connected to external hoisting means (7), and - the structural continuity between the top removable structural panel (3) and the rest of the aircraft fuselage section (1) is achieved through frame joints (8), the frame joints (8) being suitable for disconnecting frame portions of the top removable structural panel (3) from frames of the rest of the aircraft fuselage section (1).