Aircraft Engine Pylon Attachment Reducing Drag
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing aircraft engine suspension pylons with a forward attachment body projecting downward from the box structure result in significant aerodynamic disturbances and drag, leading to performance losses due to the need to transmit forces from the engine to the rigid structure.
Innovation Solution
The engine suspension pylon design modifies the attachment body's horizontal fixing surface to be located along the vertical direction of the pylon, between the forward ends of the lower and upper spars, reducing the vertical dimension and aerodynamic disturbances, while also incorporating a statically determinate engine mounting system with forward and aft attachments to resist forces in multiple directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the attachment body projects downward from the box structure to transmit forces from the engine to the rigid structure, then the force transmission capability is improved, but the aerodynamic disturbances and drag increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the horizontal fixing surface of the attachment body from a downward-protruding location to an upward location between the forward ends of the lower and upper spars. This dimensional repositioning in the vertical axis eliminates the downward projection that caused aerodynamic drag, while the force transmission function is maintained through the structural connection between the attachment body and the rigid box structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having the attachment body project downward from the box structure as in conventional designs, the patent inverts this arrangement by positioning the horizontal fixing surface upward between the spars. This inversion resolves the aerodynamic interference problem while preserving the essential force transmission capability through the rigid structure connection.
2Device complexity
If the attachment body projects downward from the box structure, then the force transmission is simplified, but the vertical dimension of the pylon increases resulting in major aerodynamic disturbances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the vertical space between the lower and upper spars to reposition the attachment body's horizontal fixing surface upward. This dimensional relocation reduces the overall vertical dimension of the pylon below the lower spar, eliminating the need for a large downward projection while maintaining the force transmission path through the rigid structure.
3Ease of manufacture
If the horizontal fixing surface is located at an external surface of the lower spar, then the attachment structure is simplified, but aerodynamic performance is degraded due to large dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the horizontal fixing surface from the external surface of the lower spar upward to a location between the forward ends of the lower and upper spars. This repositioning in the vertical dimension reduces the aerodynamic footprint and eliminates the large downward projection, thereby improving aerodynamic performance while the rigid structure maintains structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of placing the fixing surface at the lower external surface as in conventional designs, the patent inverts this arrangement by positioning it upward between the spars. This inversion reduces aerodynamic disturbances caused by large dimensions while preserving the structural simplicity through the rigid box framework.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention refers to a suspension pylon (4) for an aircraft engine (2), the pylon including a rigid structure (10) forming a box provided with a lower spar (28) and an upper spar (26), and an engine mounting system (11) installed fixed on the structure (10) and in particular including a forward attachment (6) with an attachment body provided with a horizontal fixing surface (40) held in contact with a horizontal fixing surface (38) of the structure (10). According to the invention, the attachment body is arranged such that its horizontal fixing surface (40) is located along a vertical direction (Z) of the pylon, upwards from a forward end (28a) of the lower spar and downwards from a forward end (26a) of the upper spar. Furthermore, the structure (10) includes at least one forward fitting (42a, 42b) making up a forward closing rib (36) of the box, this fitting (42a, 42b) defining said horizontal fixing surface (38).