Aircraft Engine Pylon Staggered Access Openings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aircraft engine suspension pylons face challenges in balancing mechanical strength and mass due to the presence of access openings, which compromise the structural integrity and increase weight by requiring oversized side panels for maintenance access.

Innovation Solution

A staggered arrangement of access openings on the side panels, allowing direct access to multiple inter-rib spaces with fewer openings, improving mechanical strength and reducing mass by ensuring that no two openings are in the same cross-section, thereby distributing stresses more effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If access openings are provided on side panels for maintenance access, then ease of operation is improved, but mechanical strength deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to inter-rib spacesVSAvoidmechanical strength of side panels

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple access openings are merged into a single larger access opening that provides access to multiple inter-rib spaces. This consolidation reduces the total number of openings while maintaining comprehensive access capability, thereby preserving mechanical strength while improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

A single access opening is designed to serve multiple functions by providing access to multiple inter-rib spaces. This multi-functional opening eliminates the need for separate openings for each space, reducing structural weakening while maintaining operational accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Strength

If side panels are oversized to maintain mechanical strength with access openings, then strength is improved, but weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical strength of side panelsVSAvoidmass of pylon

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By merging multiple access openings into one, the side panel requires less material reinforcement, avoiding the need for oversized panels. This reduces the mass of the pylon while maintaining the necessary mechanical strength for structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If multiple access openings are provided for each inter-rib space, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to inter-rib spacesVSAvoidnumber of access openings

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple access openings are consolidated into a single access opening that serves multiple inter-rib spaces. This reduces the total number of openings and simplifies the overall structure, decreasing device complexity while maintaining ease of operation for maintenance personnel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS7931232B2Rigid framework for aircraft engine mounting structure and engine mounting structure comprising same

Publication Date: 2011.04.26 AIRBUS OPERATIONS (SAS)

AI summary

A rigid structure of a suspension pylon for an aircraft engine, which is in a shape of a box closed by first and second box side panels. The structure includes inter-rib spaces, each space delimited by two directly consecutive box transverse ribs. For each inter-rib space forming part of a group including at least three arbitrary and directly consecutive inter-rib spaces, a single access opening is provided on the side panels, the openings arranged alternately on the first and second side panels.