Aircraft Hinge Guide Alignment for Stable Thrust Reverser Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of thrust reversers on aircraft engines is ergonomically challenging and complex, requiring technicians to climb on the aircraft and rely on cranes for support, which can lead to shifting or swaying loads and increased manufacturing complexity.
Innovation Solution
The use of guide systems that removably couple to aircraft structures with hinge components, allowing for alignment and secure attachment of thrust reversers to pylons without the need for technicians to climb on the aircraft and eliminating crane dependency by supporting the thrust reverser load through the pylon, thereby stabilizing the installation process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If technicians climb on the aircraft and use cranes for support during thrust reverser installation, then the installation can be performed, but the process becomes ergonomically challenging and complex with shifting or swaying loads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces guide systems as intermediary devices that couple between the thrust reverser and the pylon. These guides provide a stable mechanical interface that eliminates the need for cranes and technician climbing, thereby resolving the contradiction by simplifying the installation process while maintaining structural integrity through the guide-mediated connection
Solution Approach 2:
The guide systems are designed to be self-supporting structures that carry the thrust reverser load directly to the pylon without external crane support. The guides themselves provide the necessary structural support and alignment, making the installation process self-sufficient and eliminating the complexity of crane operations
2Reliability
If cranes are used to support thrust reverser load during installation, then the thrust reverser can be positioned, but the loads shift or sway leading to safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The guide systems serve as intermediary structures that provide a stable, fixed pathway for thrust reverser installation. By mediating the connection between the thrust reverser and pylon, the guides eliminate the dynamic, shifting loads associated with crane support, thereby improving reliability and eliminating harmful load movements
Solution Approach 2:
The guide systems are pre-installed on the pylon structure before thrust reverser installation. This preliminary action establishes fixed alignment paths and support points, ensuring that the thrust reverser follows a predetermined stable trajectory during installation, thereby preventing shifting or swaying loads
3Ease of manufacture
If guide systems are used to support thrust reverser load through the pylon, then crane dependency is eliminated and installation is simplified, but additional guide components are required
Solution Approach 1:
The guide systems are designed as multi-functional components that simultaneously provide structural support, alignment guidance, and load transfer functions. By consolidating multiple functions into single guide components, the patent achieves ease of manufacture through simplified assembly processes while managing device complexity through functional integration
Solution Approach 2:
The guide systems are divided into modular segments that can be independently manufactured and then assembled on the pylon. This segmentation allows for easier manufacturing of individual guide components and simplifies the overall installation process, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
Guide systems for installing aircraft structures are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a first guide system structured to removably couple to a first aircraft structure having a first hinge component. A second guide system is structured to removably couple to a second aircraft structure having a second hinge component. The first guide system is to engage the second guide system to enable alignment between the first hinge component and the second hinge component during assembly of the first aircraft structure and the second aircraft structure.