Removable Aircraft Tail Cones for ETOPS Weight Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft are equipped with auxiliary power units (APUs) to meet ETOPS conditions, increasing weight and energy consumption even when not required, due to inconsistent airport infrastructure supporting ground power units.
Innovation Solution
Aircraft are configured with removable tail cones, either lightened or equipped with APUs, allowing adaptation based on flight categories, optimizing weight and energy use by swapping configurations as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If aircraft are equipped with auxiliary power units to meet ETOPS conditions, then reliability is improved, but weight increases and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the tail cone configuration changeable during the aircraft's operational life. The tail cone can be removed and replaced between flights or maintenance periods, allowing the aircraft to dynamically adapt its configuration (with or without APU) based on the specific flight requirements, thus resolving the contradiction between having APU for reliability and avoiding its weight when not needed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of tail cone configuration from fixed to variable. By allowing the tail cone to be removed and replaced, the aircraft can change its physical configuration parameter to match operational requirements, enabling it to operate without APU weight when ETOPS conditions are not required while maintaining the capability to operate with APU when needed
2Reliability
If aircraft are equipped with auxiliary power units to meet ETOPS conditions, then reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic configuration change allows the aircraft to adapt its energy profile to match flight requirements. When operating without APU, energy consumption is reduced; when APU is installed for ETOPS flights, the energy consumption increases only for those specific operations, resolving the contradiction between reliability and energy efficiency
3Adaptability or versatility
If aircraft are equipped with auxiliary power units, then adaptability to different flight conditions is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the tail cone as a separate, removable component from the aircraft fuselage. This segmentation allows the tail cone (with or without APU) to be independently handled, removed, and replaced, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining adaptability to different flight conditions
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the configuration parameter of the tail cone from fixed to removable, the patent enables adaptability to different flight conditions without permanently increasing device complexity. The simplicity is maintained through standardized removal and installation procedures
Data Source
AI summary
A method for managing at least one aircraft configured to alternately occupy a first configuration suitable for a first flight category not requiring any auxiliary power unit and a second configuration suitable for a second flight category requiring at least one auxiliary power unit. The managing method includes a step of removably mounting, alternately, a lightened first tail cone not including any auxiliary power unit or a second tail cone including at least one auxiliary power unit depending on the first or second category of flights to be performed by the aircraft. A method for managing at least one fleet of aircraft, an aircraft, and a managing device configured to implement the method are each also provided.