Modular Duct Assembly with Common Bracket for Aircraft Fuselage
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of complexly geometried ducts in aircraft fuselages is time-consuming and laborious, and results in increased weight and cost due to the need for multiple individual ducts and brackets, which occupy unoccupied space and disrupt other systems.
Innovation Solution
A centralized and modular duct assembly is proposed, where duct sub-assemblies with a common bracket are coupled in series to form a unitary bundle, allowing for easier installation and alignment of duct portions, reducing the number of brackets required and improving fluid flow dynamics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If individual ducts with complex geometries are installed to route through limited space in the crown portion, then the ducts can be positioned throughout the fuselage to serve various functions, but the number of brackets required increases, increasing weight and cost
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple individual ducts are merged into a single integrated duct assembly that serves multiple functions. The assembly includes a common bracket structure that supports multiple duct portions, eliminating the need for separate brackets for each individual duct. This consolidation reduces the total number of brackets required, thereby reducing aircraft weight while maintaining the ability to route fluids through the crown portion to serve various systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The duct assembly is designed as a multi-functional unit that can distribute conditioned air, unconditioned air, and other fluids through multiple duct portions simultaneously. The common bracket structure serves as a universal mounting platform for all duct portions, allowing a single bracket assembly to perform the mounting function for what would otherwise require multiple separate brackets.
2Adaptability or versatility
If individual ducts with complex geometries are installed to navigate limited space, then complete duct routing is achieved, but installation time and labor increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The duct assembly is segmented into multiple duct portions that are pre-assembled and interconnected in a modular fashion. Each duct portion can be independently manufactured and tested, then quickly connected to form the complete routing system. This segmentation allows for parallel assembly operations and simplifies installation, as the pre-assembled modules can be installed as units rather than assembling individual complex ducts on-site.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple duct portions are pre-assembled and interconnected in a controlled manufacturing environment before installation in the aircraft. This preliminary assembly includes attaching duct portions to the common bracket structure and interconnecting them in the correct configuration. By performing this assembly work beforehand, the actual installation time in the aircraft is significantly reduced, as the pre-assembled unit requires only final positioning and securing.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple individual ducts and brackets are used to serve various functions throughout the fuselage, then complete fluid distribution is achieved, but the cost of the aircraft increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple duct functions are merged into a single integrated assembly that shares common structural components. The common bracket structure serves as a shared platform for mounting multiple duct portions, eliminating the need for separate bracket assemblies for each duct. This merging reduces the total number of parts that need to be manufactured, stocked, and installed, thereby reducing manufacturing and assembly costs while maintaining the ability to distribute fluids to multiple locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The duct assembly is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate multiple duct functions through a single bracket structure. The common bracket is designed to support various duct portions that can be configured to serve different systems (conditioned air, unconditioned air, etc.). This universal design reduces the variety of unique parts required, simplifying manufacturing and reducing costs through economies of scale.
Data Source
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AI summary
A duct assembly (100) for use in a vehicle is provided. The duct assembly includes a plurality of duct sub-assemblies (102) coupled to each other in series. Each duct sub-assembly includes at least one bracket (120) configured to couple to a structural member of the vehicle, and a plurality of duct portions (114) coupled to the at least one bracket such that each duct sub-assembly forms a unitary bundle of duct portions.