Aircraft Liquid Hydrogen Tank Fastening System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastening systems for aircraft liquid hydrogen tanks do not adequately allow for easy access and maintenance while ensuring secure fastening.
Innovation Solution
A fastening system integrated into the aircraft fuselage, featuring a longitudinal box with upper and lower formers, sliding pivot connections, and double fastening devices that facilitate secure tank fastening and easy operator access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the recess is made sufficiently large to facilitate fastening and maintenance by an operator, then ease of operation and ease of repair are improved, but the volume of the fuselage body is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening system is divided into multiple independent components: longitudinal box, upper formers, lower formers, and fastening devices. This segmentation allows the recess to be optimized for access while the fastening functions are distributed across discrete elements that can be accessed through enlarged openings without requiring the entire recess volume to be increased.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary structure (the fastening system components) that mediates between the tank and the fuselage wall. The longitudinal box and formers act as intermediate elements that provide fastening functionality while allowing the recess to be designed with optimized dimensions for operator access, rather than requiring the recess itself to be excessively large.
2Ease of repair
If the recess is made sufficiently large to facilitate maintenance of the fastening, then ease of repair is improved, but the volume of the fuselage body is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening system is segmented into discrete components (longitudinal box, upper/lower formers, fastening devices) that can be independently accessed and maintained. This segmentation allows maintenance personnel to work on specific components through enlarged recess openings without requiring the entire recess volume to be maximized, thus balancing ease of repair with fuselage volume constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening devices are designed as extractable or removable components from the main structure. The ability to take out individual fastening elements through the recess allows for simplified maintenance operations, reducing the need for excessive recess dimensions while still providing adequate access for repair activities.
3Reliability
If multiple fastening devices are distributed along the axis X, then the strength and reliability of tank fastening is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening system is segmented into multiple upper formers and lower formers distributed along the axis X, with fastening devices at each location. This segmentation provides redundant fastening points that improve reliability while maintaining a modular structure that manages complexity through standardization of each segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The formers serve multiple functions: they provide structural support, distribute fastening loads along the axis X, and serve as mounting points for multiple fastening devices. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby managing device complexity while achieving reliable distributed fastening.
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
The system provides secure fastening of liquid hydrogen tanks while enlarging the recess for easier integration and maintenance, ensuring efficient and safe operation.
Implementation Method 1
a sliding pivot connection of pivot axis parallel to the axis X, the pivot axis being configured to be comprised in a plane perpendicular to the axis Y comprising the center of gravity of the tank
Data Source
AI summary
A fastening system for an aircraft to fasten at least one tank to contain liquid hydrogen, allowing easy access to the tank. The fastening system includes a longitudinal box, upper formers fastened to the upper end of the longitudinal box and lower formers fastened to the lower end of the longitudinal box, at least two upper formers including two fastening devices to each connect a fastening point of the tank to an upper former, at least one lower former including two second fastening devices to each connect a second fastening point of the tank to the lower former. The fastening system allows an operator to access the tanks that are capable of being fastened by the fastening system.