Aircraft Propulsion Assembly With Split Load Bearer for Cowl Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing propulsion assemblies for aircraft turbomachines face challenges in ease of assembly and separation between articulated lateral cowls and the nose cowl, necessitating improvements in space utilization and control over these components.

Innovation Solution

A propulsion assembly design featuring a pylon, load bearer, turbomachine, and positioning assemblies with pegs and locking systems that allow for parallel movement and controlled rotation, enabling easier assembly and separation of cowls, while maintaining structural integrity and reducing space requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If articulated lateral cowls are mounted on the load bearer without positioning assemblies, then the assembly structure is simpler, but the separation control between cowls and nose cowl is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation control between cowls and nose cowlVSAvoidassembly structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning assembly acts as an intermediary component between the load bearer and the articulated lateral cowls. It includes a positioning element with a positioning protrusion that engages with a positioning recess on the cowl, providing precise separation control without requiring complex integration into the main load bearer structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning function is segmented from the main load bearer structure and implemented as a separate positioning assembly. This modular approach allows precise control of cowl separation while keeping the overall assembly structure relatively simple and maintainable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If the nose cowl is fixed forward of the load bearer, then the structural stability is improved, but the space utilization between cowls is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidspace utilization between cowls

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning assembly utilizes the vertical dimension by extending the positioning element downward from the load bearer. The positioning protrusion engages with the positioning recess in a vertical direction, allowing stable positioning while preserving horizontal space between the cowls and nose cowl.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS12420937B2Propulsion assembly for an aircraft, comprising a load bearer

Publication Date: 2025.09.23 AIRBUS OPERATIONS (SAS)

AI summary

A propulsion assembly is disclosed including a pylon, a turbomachine including an engine and a fan surrounded by a fan casing, a nacelle surrounding the engine and the fan casing, and including a load bearer positioned at the upper part of the nacelle and split into two bearers, a forward fan mount between a frontal zone of the fan casing and a frontal zone of the upstream bearer, a rear pylon mount between the pylon and the downstream bearer, and a positioning assembly providing positioning between the fan casing and each bearer. The propulsion assembly is configured to improve the control over the separation between the articulated lateral cowls and the nose cowl.