Aircraft Nacelle Fairing Pylon Access Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fairing devices for gas turbine engines on aircraft propulsion power units do not provide quick and easy access to equipment within the pylon, with existing solutions either being time-consuming or cumbersome and complicated to implement.

Innovation Solution

A fairing device comprising upper and lower half-cowls that can pivot individually on the pylon, with a locking mechanism and holding arms to maintain the open position, allowing access to both the engine and the central compartment of the pylon, while being symmetric and compact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If removable hatches with riveted panels are positioned on the pylon surface, then access to equipment is provided, but access time becomes excessively long

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAccess to equipmentVSAvoidAccess time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The fairing device is divided into an upper movable half-cowl and a lower fixed half-cowl, allowing the upper portion to be independently opened for rapid access to equipment in the central compartment, eliminating the need to remove entire hatches or panels

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The upper half-cowl is designed to be movable rather than fixed, capable of pivoting open via a pivot system at the distal edge of the pylon, transforming the static hatch into a dynamic access mechanism that can be quickly opened and closed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If additional cowls with pivot systems are added for pylon access, then maintenance access is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveMaintenance accessVSAvoidPylon structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The upper half-cowl serves multiple functions: it acts as a fairing surface for aerodynamic flow, provides structural coverage for the central compartment, and functions as a movable access door when opened, eliminating the need for separate access mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The access function is merged into the fairing device itself by making the upper half-cowl movable, combining the structural fairing element with the access mechanism rather than adding a separate cowl or hatch system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS8956109B2Fairing device for nacelle of an aircraft propulsion power unit

Publication Date: 2015.02.17 SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES SAS

AI summary

A nacelle, a part of which is the fairing device, surrounds a gas turbine engine and a support pylon on an aircraft fuselage. The pylon extends into a substantially horizontal plane of symmetry containing the longitudinal axis of the propulsion power unit, and includes a central compartment that is open on the top and on the bottom and provided for housing devices. The pylon is attached to the fuselage by a distal edge extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the propulsion power unit. The fairing device includes an upper half-cowl (2) and a lower half-cowl substantially symmetrical relative to the plane of symmetry, and lockable therebetween, in a closed position. The upper half-cowl and lower half-cowl are individually pivotably mounted on the distal edge of the pylon such that, in an open position, access is provided at the same time to the engine and to the central compartment of the pylon.