Monolithic Engine Support Structure for Integrated Aerial Vehicle Bodies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas turbine engines and vehicle bodies for aerial vehicles have room for improvement in terms of integration and support structures, leading to complexity and increased manufacturing and assembly costs.
Innovation Solution
A monolithic assembly is provided for aerial vehicles, integrating the vehicle body, gas turbine engine, and support structure, where the body section, stationary structure, and support members are formed together, reducing complexity and facilitating easier integration and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If separate components are used for vehicle body, engine, and support structure, then ease of manufacture is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the vehicle body, engine support structure, and fluid reservoir into a single integrated component. The body section includes an internal cavity that houses the engine, and the support structure is formed as an integral part of the body, eliminating the need for separate support components and reducing assembly steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated body section serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the vehicle body structure, contains the engine within its cavity, supports the engine through integrated support structures, and houses fluid reservoirs for hydraulic or fuel systems. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components required.
2Device complexity
If integrated monolithic structure is used, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
While the overall structure is integrated, the patent segments the internal cavity into distinct functional zones: engine housing area, fluid reservoir areas, and support structure regions. This internal segmentation allows for precise positioning of different components within the monolithic body without requiring the entire structure to be manufactured with extreme precision as a single complex piece.
Solution Approach 2:
The engine is nested within the internal cavity of the body section, and fluid reservoirs are nested within the support structure or body walls. This nesting arrangement allows multiple functional elements to be contained within the integrated body, reducing the need for additional external components while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
3Ease of repair
If multiple separate components are used, then ease of repair is improved, but loss of time in assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support structures and fluid reservoirs are pre-integrated into the body section during manufacturing, creating a pre-assembled unit that requires minimal additional assembly steps. The engine can be installed as a complete unit into the prepared cavity, and fluid connections are pre-positioned, reducing on-site assembly time and complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
An assembly (20) for an aerial vehicle includes a vehicle body (24), a gas turbine engine (22) and a support structure (26). The vehicle body (24) includes a body section (111). The gas turbine engine (22) includes a stationary structure (66). The gas turbine engine (22) is housed within the vehicle body (24). The support structure (26) extends between and is connected to the body section (111) and the stationary structure (66). The support structure (26) supports the gas turbine engine (22) within the vehicle body (24). The body section (111), the stationary structure (66) and the support structure (26) are included in a monolithic body (70).