Structural Engine Duct With Articulated Panels for Rear Pylon Load Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing propulsion systems for aircraft engines struggle with inefficient load transfer from the engine to the pylon, particularly towards the rear of the pylon, which can lead to structural inefficiencies and maintenance challenges.
Innovation Solution
A propulsion system with a structural duct comprising a fixed structure and a mobile structure, featuring an upper beam, lower beam, and articulated panels that surround the engine core, allowing for improved load transfer through a closed barrel configuration, including hinges and latches for rotation and attachment, and centering rods for stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional attachment elements (front and rear engine attachments to pylon) are used, then the engine can be connected to the aircraft structure, but the load transfer towards the rear of the pylon is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment structure is divided into multiple functional segments: the structural duct is separated from the engine casing, the pylon box is distinct from the attachment elements, and the load transfer path is segmented through upper and lower beams. This segmentation allows optimization of each component for its specific function, particularly improving load transfer to the rear pylon through the upper beam structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the structural duct with the load transfer function by integrating the upper beam into the duct structure. The upper beam is fixed to both the engine casing and the pylon box, creating a merged structure that simultaneously provides aerodynamic containment and structural load transfer to the rear pylon.
2Strength
If a closed barrel structure surrounding the engine core is implemented, then load transfer from engine casing to pylon box is improved, but the complexity of the structural duct increases
Solution Approach 1:
The structural duct is designed as a multi-functional structure that simultaneously serves as an aerodynamic containment for the engine core, a load transfer path through the upper and lower beams, and a protective enclosure. The panels forming the barrel structure perform multiple functions: aerodynamic smoothing, load distribution, and structural support.
Solution Approach 2:
The structural duct incorporates movable panels that can rotate around hinges on the upper beam. This dynamic capability allows the duct to adapt during maintenance operations (opening for access) while maintaining its closed, load-bearing configuration during flight operations, thus managing structural complexity through controlled mobility.
3Ease of repair
If panels are made movable with hinges and latches, then maintenance access is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The duct structure is segmented into multiple movable panels rather than a single complex door mechanism. Each panel can be independently opened and secured with simple latches, distributing the maintenance access function across multiple simple components rather than one complex mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The panels are designed to rotate around hinges on the upper beam, providing dynamic access capability. The latches allow the panels to be securely held in both open and closed positions, creating a simple yet effective mechanism that balances maintenance accessibility with structural integrity during operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
The inventions relates to a propulsion system comprising an engine made of two parts, namely an engine casing and an engine core, a pylon box configured to assemble the engine to the aircraft structure where a structural duct comprises a fixed structure, the fixed structure comprising at least an upper beam and a rear ring, the upper beam being fixed to the engine casing and the ring being fixed to the upper beam at 12 o'clock and to the pylon box, and, panels being mounted on the upper beam in order to form a closed barrel surrounding, at least partly, the engine core and being configured to transfer loads from the engine casing to the pylon box.