Swan Neck Hinge Recess for Dual-Flow Jet Engine Cowl
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing dual-flow jet engine designs face bulk and intrusion issues due to the bulky swan neck hinges used to conceal air flow influences, which obstruct the internal components like pipelines and electrical conductors.
Innovation Solution
A dual-flow jet engine design featuring hollowed recesses at the fixed part's edge to accommodate swan neck fittings, allowing reduced dimensions and incorporating a slide valve and movement transmission system to facilitate the swan neck's passage between closed and open positions, along with seals to maintain aerodynamic continuity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If swan neck hinges are used to conceal air flow influences, then air flow is maintained, but the hinges become bulky and intrusive to internal components
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge connection is relocated from the traditional external position to an internal recess within the fixed part of the cowl. This dimensional repositioning allows the swan neck hinge to be nested within the cowl structure rather than protruding externally, reducing its intrusive bulk while maintaining air flow characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The swan neck hinge is nested within a recess created in the fixed part of the cowl. The hinge connection means are received inside this recess, allowing the hinge to be contained within the cowl's internal volume rather than occupying external space, thereby reducing bulk and intrusion into the secondary jet area.
2Reliability
If swan neck hinges are concealed to maintain air flow, then air flow is improved, but the hinges become intrusive to pipelines and electrical conductors
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge connection means are nested within a recess in the fixed part of the cowl, positioning them inside the existing internal structure rather than allowing them to protrude into the secondary jet area. This nesting approach reduces interference with pipelines and electrical conductors while maintaining air flow paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The recess is created locally at the specific position where the hinge connection is needed, allowing the hinge to be concealed only where necessary for air flow maintenance while minimizing impact on other areas of the cowl and its internal components.
3Ease of operation
If the mobile cowl is made rotationally mobile via hinges, then maintenance access is improved, but the hinges create bulk problems
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge connection is repositioned from an external location to an internal recess within the fixed part of the cowl. This dimensional change allows the mobile cowl to remain rotationally mobile for maintenance access while the hinge bulk is contained within the cowl's internal volume, reducing overall space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge mechanism is nested within the recess of the fixed part, allowing the mobile cowl to pivot for maintenance access while the hinge connection means are contained within the existing structural volume, avoiding additional bulk problems.
Data Source
AI summary
A dual-flow jet engine comprising a fixed structure, a central core, and a cowl comprising a fixed part and a mobile cowl mounted to be rotationally mobile on the fixed structure via hinges with swan neck fitting. The fixed part has a first edge and the mobile cowl has a second edge, in which, when the mobile cowl is in a closed position, the second edge extends against the first edge. For each hinge with swan neck fitting, the fixed part is hollowed at the first edge, so as to delimit a recess opposite the swan neck fitting and allow the passage of the swan neck fitting when the mobile cowl switches from the closed position to the open position. The recess for each hinge with swan neck fitting allows for a reduction of the dimensions of the swan neck during the movement of the mobile cowl.