Removable Shoulder Panel Antenna Mounting System
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for installing aircraft antennas and sensors are limited by the need for permanent modifications to the upper fuselage, which restricts the number of possible positions and can interfere with aerodynamics and visibility, and the 'roll-on/roll-off' approach has limited positions for temporary antennas.
Innovation Solution
An aircraft multi-purpose shoulder panel system that allows for easy installation and removal of multiple antenna configurations at the wing shoulder panel, avoiding the need for permanent modifications and maintaining aerodynamic integrity, with a design featuring a shoulder panel insert, circumferential base, antenna compartment, removable mounting plate, and fenestrations for connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If permanent modifications are made to the upper fuselage to install antennas, then antenna installation is achieved, but the number of possible positions is limited and aerodynamics are interfered with
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna system is divided into separate, removable antenna units that can be independently installed and removed from the fuselage surface. This segmentation allows multiple antenna configurations without permanent modifications, enabling versatile positioning while maintaining aerodynamic integrity when antennas are not in use.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna mounting system transitions from static permanent modifications to dynamic removable installations. The fuselage surface maintains its original aerodynamic properties, and antennas can be dynamically positioned or removed based on mission requirements, eliminating aerodynamic interference while providing position flexibility.
2Ease of operation
If the roll-on/roll-off approach is used for temporary antennas, then installation flexibility is improved, but the number of positions for temporary antennas is very limited
Solution Approach 1:
The fuselage surface is designed with universal mounting interfaces that can accommodate multiple different antenna types and configurations at various positions. This multi-functional capability allows the same mounting system to support diverse antenna installations across numerous locations, greatly expanding position versatility while maintaining ease of installation.
3Ease of manufacture
If antennas are installed on the centerline of the aircraft, then installation is simplified, but turbulence from one antenna impacts the next one aft of it
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna mounting system utilizes asymmetric positioning options off the aircraft centerline, allowing antennas to be distributed in patterns that minimize turbulent interference. By moving antennas away from the crowded centerline to strategically positioned locations on either side, the system maintains installation simplicity while eliminating turbulence interference between adjacent antennas.
4Strength
If access panel is redesigned for satellite communications system, then structural robustness is utilized, but aerodynamically smooth access panel is changed
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna system is extracted from the fuselage surface as a separate, removable component rather than being integrated into the aerodynamic skin. This allows the access panel to maintain its aerodynamically smooth shape while utilizing the robust underlying structure for mounting purposes. The structural robustness is harnessed for antenna support without compromising aerodynamic smoothness.
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft multi-purpose shoulder panel system having a shoulder panel insert is disclosed. The system features a circumferential base connected to the shoulder panel insert, an antenna compartment positioned on top of the circumferential base, and a removable antenna mounting plate positioned above, and connected to, the antenna compartment. The system also features an overall structure that provides unprecedented ruggedness, and enables aircraft antennae/sensor versatility, adaptability and reversibility.