Triangular Aircraft Pylon Structure for Equipment Accessibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing rectangular cross-section of aircraft masts results in a large cross-section at the rear fairing, making it difficult to access equipment and systems positioned inside, and necessitates the use of angle irons which increase mass.
Innovation Solution
A primary structure with a triangular cross-section, comprising a spar and lateral panels joined to form a tubular structure, eliminating the need for angle irons and allowing equipment to be positioned outside the structure for improved accessibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a rectangular cross-section is used for the primary structure, then the structural strength is maintained, but the cross-section area at the rear fairing becomes large and equipment accessibility becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by changing the cross-section from a symmetric rectangular shape to a triangular shape. This asymmetric triangular configuration reduces the cross-section area at the rear fairing while maintaining structural integrity, thereby improving equipment accessibility without compromising strength requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a rectangular two-dimensional cross-section to a triangular three-dimensional configuration. This dimensional change allows the structure to achieve both reduced fairing area and improved accessibility by reconfiguring the spatial arrangement of structural elements.
2Strength
If angle irons are used to connect side panels to the spar, then structural connection is achieved, but the mass of the primary structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the side panels directly with the spar by positioning the second edges of the side panels at the lateral edges of the spar, eliminating the need for separate angle iron connectors. This integration maintains structural connection strength while removing redundant components, thereby reducing the overall mass of the primary structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the angle irons from the structure. By taking out these unnecessary connecting elements and replacing them with a direct integration of side panels to the spar, the patent reduces mass while preserving the required structural connection strength.
3Ease of operation
If equipment is positioned inside the primary structure, then space utilization is achieved, but accessibility to systems becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional arrangement by positioning equipment outside the primary structure rather than inside. This inversion, made possible by the triangular cross-section configuration, improves accessibility to systems while the structure itself provides the necessary spatial organization, thereby reducing arrangement complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a primary structure (30) of an aircraft mast comprising a spar (36) which has right and left lateral edges (36.1, 36.2) positioned on either side of a vertical median plane (VMP) as well as right and left lateral panels (38, 40) positioned on either side of the vertical median plane (VMP) which have first edges (38.1, 40.1) connected respectively to the right and left lateral edges (36.1, 36.2) of the spar (36) and second edges (38.2, 40.2) adjoining so as to delimit a tubular structure with a triangular cross-section. The invention also relates to an aircraft comprising at least one such primary structure (30).