Rotating Nacelle Support Tool for Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The current handling and assembly processes for aircraft engine nacelles are complex, time-consuming, and inefficient due to the need for multiple specialized tools and poor ergonomics, which increases the risk of damage and delays in painting, quality control, and transportation.
Innovation Solution
A single tool with a rotatable attachment structure that supports all nacelle elements in their normal operating position, allowing for simultaneous painting, final assembly, and quality control, and enabling direct displacement without additional handling operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple specialized support trolleys are used for different nacelle sub-assemblies, then each component can be supported during painting operations, but the device complexity increases significantly and requires at least five different trolleys
Solution Approach 1:
The support trolley is designed with a universal attachment structure that can secure multiple different nacelle sub-assemblies (air intake, midsection halves, rear section halves) using the same device. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for five separate specialized trolleys, reducing device complexity while maintaining painting operation accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment structure is divided into multiple independent attachment devices, each capable of securing a specific nacelle component. These segmented attachment points can be independently adjusted and positioned, allowing the single trolley to accommodate various sub-assemblies while maintaining ease of operation for painting.
2Manufacturing precision
If operators use platforms of varying heights to access all areas to be painted, then complete painting coverage is achieved, but ergonomics are severely compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The support trolley incorporates an adjustable height mechanism that allows the attachment structure to be positioned at different vertical levels. This dimensional adjustment capability enables operators to work at ergonomic heights while maintaining access to all painting areas, eliminating the need for operators to work from uncomfortable elevated platforms.
3Productivity
If nacelle components are handled multiple times through assembly, quality control, and transport operations, then all necessary operations are completed, but the risk of damage increases due to the heavy and fragile nature of the components
Solution Approach 1:
The support trolley is designed to securely hold complete nacelle assemblies or large sub-assemblies rather than requiring component-by-component handling. By merging multiple attachment devices into a single stable platform, the system reduces the number of separate handling operations needed during assembly, quality control, and transport, thereby minimizing damage risk while maintaining productivity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution significantly reduces the time and cost of nacelle finishing and quality control operations while improving ergonomics and reducing the risk of damage by allowing all nacelle parts to be accessed and handled efficiently from the ground.
Implementation Method 1
a nacelle attachment structure, rotatably mounted on the support structure and rotatably mobile about a substantially horizontal axis substantially coinciding with the longitudinal axis of the nacelle
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3b
Figure 4a~4b
AI summary
Apparatus for supporting a nacelle of an aircraft engine. The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for supporting a nacelle (2) of an aircraft turbojet, comprising: a frame (10); a supporting structure (11) extending upwards from the frame; and a structure for (12) attaching a nacelle, which is rotatably mounted on the supporting structure (11) and can be rotated about a substantially horizontal axis.