Engine Pylon Lateral Load Transfer Structure With Bushing Restraint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing structures for transferring lateral loads from an engine pylon to an aircraft wing allow undesirable lateral movement, which can compromise stability and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A structure comprising a first component with a flange and a second component with raised portions and a bushing is used to restrain the engine pylon against lateral movement by interposing the bushing between the components, with spacers to minimize gaps and using pins for additional stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a simple pylon structure is used to attach the engine to the wing, then the ease of manufacture and device complexity are improved, but lateral movement between the pylon and wing occurs, compromising stability and reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The structure is divided into separate components: a first component attached to the wing, a second component attached to the pylon, and a bushing component. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while collectively providing lateral movement restraint without excessive overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The bushing acts as an intermediary element between the first and second components. It provides the lateral movement restraint function while allowing the connected components to remain relatively simple in design, thus improving reliability without proportionally increasing overall structure complexity.
2Reliability
If gaps are allowed between components for ease of assembly, then the ease of operation is improved, but lateral movement and instability increase
Solution Approach 1:
The design allows for controlled gaps between components that can accommodate manufacturing tolerances and assembly variations. The bushing geometry and positioning parameters are optimized to provide effective lateral restraint while maintaining reasonable assembly requirements.
3Reliability
If a complex restraint structure is used to eliminate lateral movement, then stability and reliability are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the restraint function into a dedicated bushing component rather than integrating it into complex monolithic structures, the design achieves reliable lateral movement restraint while keeping individual components simpler and more cost-effective to manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The bushing structure is designed to provide its own lateral restraint function through its geometry and positioning, eliminating the need for additional complex restraint mechanisms. This self-sufficient design improves reliability without proportionally increasing manufacturing complexity or cost.
Data Source
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AI summary
A structure (100) for transferring a lateral load (19L) of an engine pylon (16) to an aircraft wing (14) includes a first component (20) having a generally longitudinally oriented first flange (22) extending outward from a first base portion (24) that is attachable to or integrated with the wing (14), a second component (30) having one or more raised portions (33, 34) extending outward from a second base portion (32) that is attachable to or integrated with the engine pylon (16), and a bushing (40) with a base plate (42) and one or two arms (45, 46). The bushing (40) may be disposed in contact with a wall portion (35) with part of the first flange (22) disposed within the bushing (40), or in contact with a raised portion (33) with part of the bushing (40) disposed between the first flange (22) and a second flange (28), such that the engine pylon (16) is substantially restrained against lateral movement (19) with respect to the wing (14).