Aircraft Pylon Rib Extension for Lengthwise Moment Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
The design of aircraft engine assemblies with laterally mounted engines faces challenges in transmitting bending moments without causing excessive encumbrance and aerodynamic disturbances due to high loads applied vertically to the engine's center of gravity, leading to over-dimensioning of fasteners and pylon structures.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves a pylon with a rigid structure featuring a box rib extension that separates first and second fasteners, allowing for joint transmission of lengthwise moments without over-dimensioning, maintaining a reasonable mass and minimizing aerodynamic disturbances by optimizing the distance between attachments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the attachments are positioned with a large distance between them to transmit the bending moment, then the moment transmission capability is improved, but the pylon thickness increases causing aerodynamic disturbance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from transmitting the bending moment solely through attachments spaced in the thickness direction to a hybrid solution where the rib extension provides moment resistance in the lengthwise direction through its structural geometry. This dimensional redistribution allows attachments to be positioned closer together, reducing pylon thickness and aerodynamic disturbance while maintaining moment transmission capability.
2Strength
If the attachments are over-dimensioned to transmit the bending moment, then the moment transmission capability is improved, but the pylon mass increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the moment transmission function between two components: the rib extension structure that handles the bending moment through its geometric configuration, and the attachments that provide localized connection strength. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, avoiding the need to over-dimension the attachments and reducing overall pylon mass.
3Strength
If the pylon thickness is increased to accommodate larger attachments, then the moment transmission capability is improved, but the aerodynamic efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the structural parameter from pylon thickness to rib extension geometry as the primary means of moment resistance. This parameter change allows the pylon to maintain thin cross-sections for aerodynamic efficiency while the rib extension provides the necessary structural strength to transmit bending moments through its extended geometry and attachment arrangement.
Data Source
AI summary
An engine assembly for an aircraft, including a rigid structure including a box rib extension protruding from a box of the structure, in a line of separation, towards a fuselage of the aircraft. The extension supports a first attachment in a position separating it from a second attachment in the line of separation. The first and second attachments enable the moment being exerted in a lengthways direction of the turbine engine to be transmitted jointly.