Aircraft Pylon Twin-Walled Pipe Nesting

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Solution Overview

Problem

The integration of hydrogen fuel pipes within aircraft pylons is hindered by their bulkiness, leading to increased cross-sectional area and reduced aerodynamic performance.

Innovation Solution

The internal duct of the pipe segment is positioned within structural tubes of the primary structure, allowing for a twin-walled pipe configuration with a leaktight connection and sealing system, reducing external crowding and enhancing aerodynamics by minimizing the pylon's cross-sectional area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If twin-walled pipes are used for hydrogen fuel, then hydrogen storage and safety are improved, but the pipe becomes bulky and increases the pylon cross section

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrogen storage safetyVSAvoidpylon cross section

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The internal duct of the twin-walled pipe is positioned inside the hollow interior zone of a structural tube, nesting one component within another. This eliminates the need for the pipe to be self-contained as a bulky twin-walled structure, as the structural tube serves as the external duct, thereby reducing the overall cross-sectional area while maintaining hydrogen storage safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The structural tube of the pylon serves dual functions: providing structural support and acting as the external duct of the hydrogen fuel pipe. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a separate external duct, reducing the pylon cross section while maintaining both structural integrity and hydrogen storage capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If twin-walled pipes are positioned outside structural tubes, then installation is simplified, but equipment integration becomes difficult and aerodynamic performance decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepipe installationVSAvoidequipment integration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The internal duct is nested within the structural tube's hollow interior zone, allowing equipment to be integrated around or within the structural tube without interference from externally positioned pipes. This nesting approach simplifies equipment integration while maintaining installation feasibility through the defined connection system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Ease of manufacture

If twin-walled pipes are positioned outside structural tubes, then manufacturing is simplified, but aerodynamic performance is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepipe manufacturingVSAvoidpylon cross section

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSArea of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The structural tube serves both as a structural element and as the external duct of the hydrogen pipe, eliminating the need for a separate external duct component. This reduces the pylon cross-sectional area, improving aerodynamic performance, while the manufacturing complexity remains manageable through the defined connection system between the internal duct and structural tube.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11661203B2Aircraft pylon comprising a tubular primary structure including at least one twin-walled pipe, and aircraft comprising at least one such pylon

Publication Date: 2023.05.30 AIRBUS OPERATIONS (SAS)

AI summary

An aircraft pylon comprising a primary structure and a pipe segment having an internal duct positioned inside at least one structural tube primary structure. This solution makes it possible to reduce the crowding outside the structural tubes of the primary structure, makes it easier to integrate other equipment inside the pylon, and may help to improve the aerodynamic performance of the pylon by reducing its cross section.