Multi-purpose Mounting Device for Airborne Electrical Packages

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for mounting electrical devices on airborne munitions are costly, time-consuming, and prone to failure under harsh flight conditions, requiring substantial modifications and lacking in scalability and reliability.

Innovation Solution

A multi-purpose mounting device with an adapter and slide member, secured via an annular clearance around a conical housing section, providing a secure and scalable solution for mounting electrical devices on airborne objects, capable of withstanding extreme conditions and allowing for protected routing of wires and cables.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional mounting techniques (drilling holes, specialized hardware) are used to mount electrical devices on airborne munitions, then the mounting is secure and reliable, but the process is time-consuming, costly, and requires substantial modifications to the munition

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting reliabilityVSAvoidmounting time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a mounting device as an intermediary component between the electrical device and the munition. This mounting device features a first portion that interfaces with the electrical device and a second portion that interfaces with the munition, eliminating the need for direct modification of the munition while ensuring secure attachment through standardized interfaces

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting device is divided into distinct portions: a first portion for interfacing with the electrical device and a second portion for interfacing with the munition. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized independently and enables field installation without requiring modification of the munition itself

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If conventional mounting techniques (drilling holes, specialized hardware) are used to mount electrical devices on airborne munitions, then the mounting is secure and reliable, but the process is costly and requires technical inspection or weapon requalification

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting reliabilityVSAvoidmounting cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting device serves as an intermediary that absorbs all modification requirements, allowing the munition to remain unmodified. This eliminates the need for costly technical inspections and weapon requalification processes while maintaining secure and reliable mounting through engineered interfaces

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting device is pre-configured with all necessary mounting features, interfaces, and attachment mechanisms before deployment. This preliminary preparation allows for rapid field installation without requiring expensive post-modification inspections or requalification procedures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If adhesives are used to mount electrical devices on airborne munitions, then the mounting process is straightforward and less costly, but the adhesive cannot withstand significant loading forces, temperature variations, supersonic airflows, and vibratory forces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting easeVSAvoidmounting reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the chemical bonding mechanism of adhesives with a mechanical attachment system. The mounting device uses physical interfaces, fasteners, and structural connections that can withstand significant loading forces, temperature variations, supersonic airflows, and vibratory forces while maintaining ease of installation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting device appears to utilize composite construction combining multiple materials with complementary properties: materials resistant to temperature variations, supersonic airflows, and vibratory forces. This composite approach maintains ease of manufacture while achieving the reliability required for harsh flight conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Reliability

If a mounting device is designed to be secure and withstand extreme conditions, then the mounting reliability is high, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting reliabilityVSAvoidmounting device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting device is designed as a universal, multi-functional component that can attach various electrical devices to different munitions without requiring device-specific customization. This universality reduces overall system complexity while maintaining high reliability through standardized, proven interfaces and attachment mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2373950B1Multi-purpose mounting devices for mounting electrical packages to airborne objects
Publication Date: 2012.10.10 RAYTHEON CO
  • EP2373950B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2373950B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2373950B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Embodiments of a multi-purpose mounting device for mounting an electrical device to a structure coupled to an airborne object are provided. In one embodiment, the multi-purpose mounting device includes an adapter member and a slide member coupled to the adapter member. The slide member is radially spaced apart from the adapter member to form an open slot, which is configured to receive a portion of the external structural therein to secure the multi-purpose mounting device to the airborne object. A first mounting surface is provided on one of the adapter member and the slide member and configured to support the electrical device.