Transmission Thread Reconditioning With In-Place Insert Repair
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Solution Overview
Problem
The current methods for reconditioning damaged threads in the transmission units of hover-capable aircraft, such as helicopters, require disassembly and removal of the transmission for repair, leading to high costs and prolonged downtime due to the need for specialized tools and facilities, as well as potential damage to the thread during removal of threaded studs.
Innovation Solution
A tool and method for reconditioning damaged threads that allows for in-situ repair by centering on the damaged thread, removing the old thread, creating a new thread with a larger diameter, and inserting a metal insert to form a reconditioned thread, all while keeping the transmission mounted on the aircraft, thereby avoiding the need for disassembly and transportation to a repair center.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the transmission is removed and sent to a repair centre for thread reconditioning, then the thread can be repaired using specialized equipment, but the downtime and costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the thread repair function from the transmission assembly context by using a portable tool that can perform thread reconditioning operations directly on the aircraft. The tool isolates the repair operation from the need to disassemble or transport the entire transmission, allowing the repair to be performed in-situ while maintaining transmission reliability through specialized threading operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a portable thread reconditioning tool as an intermediary device between the damaged thread and the repair process. This tool serves as a mediator that provides specialized threading capabilities without requiring the transmission to be removed or transported to a repair facility, thus reducing downtime while maintaining repair quality.
2Ease of repair
If the transmission is completely disassembled to access the damaged thread, then the thread can be reached for repair, but the complexity and time required increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the thread repair capability from the transmission disassembly process by providing a portable tool that can access and repair threads through existing access points. This eliminates the need to completely disassemble the transmission to reach damaged threads, reducing both the complexity of the repair process and the time required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the transmission to service itself by providing a portable tool that can be applied directly to the damaged thread without requiring complete disassembly. The tool allows maintenance personnel to perform thread reconditioning operations in-situ, making the repair process simpler and faster while maintaining ease of access to the damaged thread.
3Manufacturing precision
If specialized repair equipment is used at a repair centre, then precise thread reconditioning can be achieved, but the cost and logistics complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the specialized thread reconditioning capability from fixed repair centre equipment and incorporates it into a portable tool. This allows precise thread reconditioning operations to be performed at the location of the aircraft without requiring transportation to a repair facility with specialized equipment, thereby reducing logistics complexity and costs while maintaining manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal portable tool that can perform thread reconditioning operations on various transmissions without requiring specialized fixed equipment. This multi-functional tool can be deployed to different locations and used on different aircraft models, reducing the need for location-specific repair facilities and simplifying repair logistics while maintaining precision.
Data Source
AI summary
It is described a method for reconditioning a damaged thread (8) of a transmission (1) of a hover-capable aircraft; the damaged thread (8) being arranged inside a first hole (23a) of the transmission (1); wherein the method includes the following steps: i) centering a tool (20) on the first hole (23a); ii) inserting a first tool (25) inside the tool (20) centred on the first hole (23a) and removing the damaged thread (8) through the first tool (25); iii) inserting a second tool (26) inside the tool (20) and creating a new thread (16) inside the first hole (23a) having a diameter larger than the one of the damaged thread (8); iv) screwing an insert (61) having a thread inside the new thread (16), so that the insert (61) engages the first hole (23a) and defines a reconditioned thread (8′); and v) keeping the transmission (1) mounted on the hover-capable aircraft during steps i), ii), iii), iv).