Integrated Engine Attachment Rib for Aircraft Pylon Mass Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft engine attachment systems are heavy due to the use of rigid structures and bolted joints, which can be improved by reducing mass and enhancing force transmission efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The engine attachment system integrates internal transverse stiffening ribs of the box section as part of the attachment body, eliminating bolted joints and allowing for more direct force introduction, with articulated shackles and a device for taking up thrust forces that ensures continuity in force transmission even if components fail.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional bolted joints are used to connect the engine attachment body to the box section, then structural strength and reliability are improved, but the overall mass of the engine attachment system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the engine attachment body with the internal transverse stiffening rib of the box section by producing them in one piece. This integration eliminates the need for separate bolted joints while maintaining structural strength, as the integrated design creates continuous load paths between the engine attachment and the box section structure.
2Ease of manufacture
If multiple bolted joints are used to assemble the engine attachment body, then ease of manufacture and assembly are improved, but device complexity and overall mass increase
Solution Approach 1:
The engine attachment body and the internal transverse stiffening rib are merged into a single integrated component produced in one piece. This reduces device complexity by eliminating multiple separate parts and their associated assembly procedures, while the integration with the existing box section structure maintains ease of manufacture through standardized production processes.
3Reliability
If rigid bolted connections are used between the attachment body and box section, then force transmission reliability is improved, but mass and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a merged structure where the engine attachment body and internal transverse stiffening rib are produced as one piece. This integrated design provides reliable force transmission through continuous material structure without the need for bolted connections, thereby reducing mass while maintaining or improving transmission reliability.
4Ease of repair
If separate components are used for the engine attachment body and stiffening ribs, then ease of repair and maintenance are improved, but overall mass and structural complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The engine attachment body and stiffening rib are merged into a single component, which reduces mass and simplifies the overall structure. While separate components would traditionally ease repair, the integrated design simplifies maintenance by reducing the number of joints and connection points that require inspection and maintenance, while the modular nature of the attachment system preserves repairability.
Data Source
AI summary
In order to decrease the overall mass of an assembly for an aircraft, including an engine attachment pylon and an engine attachment, the pylon according to the disclosure herein has a primary structure forming a box section equipped with internal transverse stiffening ribs, one of which is produced in one piece with at least a part of the body of the engine attachment.