Jet Engine Suspension Beam With Clevis Standby Link
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing jet engine suspension systems on aircraft are complex and costly to manufacture, requiring specific ribs and machining for standby connections, which complicates the production process and increases weight.
Innovation Solution
A simplified suspension system design featuring a beam with a clevis for the central link's connecting pin, allowing a space for the second lateral link's finger to house with clearance, eliminating the need for a specific rib and incorporating a third pin for a standby connection to maintain isostaticity upon link failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a specific rib with machining is provided in the beam for housing the standby connection, then the reliability and safety of the suspension system is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the standby connection function from a dedicated rib structure and relocates it to the space between the platform and the central link. This eliminates the need for a specific rib with complex machining while maintaining the safety function through the clearance between the finger and the beam.
Solution Approach 2:
The space between the platform and the central link, which would otherwise be unused, is utilized to house the standby connection. This multi-functional use of existing space eliminates the need for additional dedicated structures, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If a specific rib with machining is provided in the beam for housing the standby connection, then the standby safety connection is ensured, but the weight of the suspension system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the unnecessary rib structure and its associated material, keeping only the essential beam structure. The standby connection is achieved through the clearance in the existing beam structure rather than through additional material, thereby reducing weight while maintaining safety.
3Reliability
If three links are used to transmit forces and torque, then the isostatic suspension function is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines the force transmission function and the standby safety function into a single integrated structure. The beam structure simultaneously serves as the mounting platform and houses the standby connection, eliminating the need for separate dedicated structures and reducing overall device complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design reduces manufacturing complexity and weight while maintaining strength and reliability by eliminating the need for a specific rib and machining, providing a cost-effective and lightweight suspension system.
Implementation Method 1
the clearance is eliminated by the engine tilting around the axes of the other two links, and the connection remains isostatic
Implementation Method 2
there is provided a swivel-type bearing for the pins passing through, at each end of the links
Implementation Method 3
dimensional variations due to thermal expansions or contractions
Data Source
AI summary
A suspension for suspending a jet engine on an aircraft strut includes a beam having a platform provided with fasteners for fastening the beam to the aircraft strut and arranged transversely with respect to a longitudinal axis of the jet engine. The suspension also includes first and second lateral links, the second lateral link being prolonged by a finger housed with clearance in a cavity provided in the beam so as to form a standby safety connection. The suspension further includes a central link. The finger extends between the platform and a pin of the central link in normal operation.