Podded Engine Adaptor Simplifies Aircraft Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Podded engine assemblies require complex and time-consuming mounting processes due to the need for numerous connections to account for thermal expansion and vibration, making engine replacement and reconfiguration cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A podded engine adaptor with airframe, engine, and air intake mounting interfaces allows indirect coupling of the engine and air intake to the aircraft, providing a simplified attachment method with relative movement capabilities and optional fire-retardant layers for enhanced safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple mounts and connections are used to securely attach the podded engine assembly to the aircraft, then the reliability of the attachment is improved, but the device complexity and installation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple mounting functions into a single integrated adaptor component. The adaptor includes a first interface for attaching to the engine, a second interface for attaching to the airframe, and a third interface for attaching to the air intake, consolidating what would traditionally require multiple separate mounts and connections into one unified component that simplifies the overall attachment system while maintaining secure connection through multiple interface points
2Reliability
If multiple mounts and connections are used to securely attach the podded engine assembly to the aircraft, then the reliability of the attachment is improved, but the installation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple mounting functions into a single integrated adaptor component. The adaptor includes a first interface for attaching to the engine, a second interface for attaching to the airframe, and a third interface for attaching to the air intake, consolidating what would traditionally require multiple separate mounts and connections into one unified component that simplifies the overall attachment system while maintaining secure connection through multiple interface points
3Reliability
If a complex series of mounts is used to attach the air intake to the airframe, then the reliability of the air intake attachment is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adaptor serves as an intermediary component between the air intake and the airframe. Instead of directly attaching the air intake to the airframe using multiple complex mounts, the adaptor provides a simplified intermediate interface that connects the air intake to the airframe structure, reducing the complexity of the mounting system while maintaining reliable attachment through the adaptor's dedicated air intake mounting interface
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a podded engine adaptor configured to secure a podded engine to an aircraft, comprising: an airframe mounting interface configured for attachment to an airframe of an aircraft; an engine mounting interface configured for attachment to an engine; wherein the podded engine adaptor is configured to be attached to an engine at the engine mounting interface and to an airframe of the aircraft at the airframe mounting interface, so as to indirectly couple an engine to the aircraft via the podded engine adaptor.