Rotating Internal Support for Large Hollow Structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing manufacturing tooling for large hollow structures, such as aircraft fuselage sections, often obstructs the external surface, preventing nondestructive inspections and painting processes, as they rely on external support rather than internal support mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A rotating internal support system comprising a rigid central truss and annular disks, allowing for internal support, rotation, and transportation of large hollow structures while keeping the exterior surface unobstructed, enabling various manufacturing and inspection processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If external support tools are used to hold and maneuver large hollow structures, then the structure can be supported and moved, but the external surface becomes obstructed preventing nondestructive inspection and painting processes
Solution Approach 1:
The support apparatus is nested inside the hollow structure, with annular disks positioned within the internal volume and support arms extending inward to contact the inner surface. This nesting approach allows the support system to occupy the internal space rather than external space, thereby supporting the structure without obstructing the external surface for inspection and painting operations
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of supporting the structure from the outside (conventional approach), the invention inverts the support direction by placing the support apparatus inside the hollow structure. The annular disks and support arms contact the inner surface, providing support forces from the interior, which eliminates external obstructions while maintaining support functionality
2Stability of the object's composition
If the support apparatus is made rigid to maintain structural integrity, then stability is improved, but adaptability to different shapes and sizes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The support apparatus is divided into multiple annular disks positioned at different locations along the structure, with each disk having independently adjustable support arms. This segmentation allows each component to be independently adjusted to accommodate different local geometries while the overall truss structure provides rigid support for structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The support arms are designed with adjustable positioning mechanisms that allow dynamic reconfiguration to match different shapes and sizes. The arms can be extended, retracted, and repositioned to contact the inner surface at optimal locations, enabling the rigid truss structure to adapt to various geometries while maintaining structural stability
Data Source
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AI summary
A rotating internal support (10) for a large hollow structure (18) can include a rigid central truss (12) and two or more annular disks (14) coupled to the truss by support arms (16). The annular disks (14) can be axially spaced along the longitudinal centerlme of the truss (12), and can be coupled to the support arms (16) by guide rollers (20) that allow the annular disks (14) to rotate about a central axis. The internal support (10) can also include support rods (80) with contact pads (82) that extend axially around the annular disks (14) to contact and support the inner surface of the large hollow structure (18) .