Wedge Bracket Cargo Alignment for Aircraft Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for securing cargo on C-17 aircraft often result in misaligned loading and plane instability due to lack of proper lateral load tie-downs, leading to potential damage and excessive fuel consumption during combat operations.
Innovation Solution
A wedge-shaped bracket system with a front plate, side plates, and a bottom plate, including a ring plate and slot to accommodate an attachment ring, which is secured using a tension device, ensuring proper alignment and stabilization of cargo within the aircraft.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional cargo securing methods are used, then the loading process is simple, but misaligned loading and plane instability occur
Solution Approach 1:
The wedge bracket serves as an intermediary device between the cargo and the aircraft floor. It provides a standardized interface with guide rails that mediate the alignment process, ensuring cargo is properly positioned while distributing lateral loads to maintain aircraft stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The wedge bracket changes the geometric parameters of the loading interface by providing angled side plates that guide cargo placement. This geometric parameter change ensures proper alignment orientation and prevents misaligned loading without requiring complex active control systems.
2Stability of the object's composition
If proper lateral load tie-downs are implemented, then aircraft stability is maintained, but the loading system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The wedge bracket is segmented into functional components: front plate for positioning, angled side plates for lateral load distribution, bottom plate for floor attachment, and guide rails for alignment. This segmentation allows each component to address specific stability requirements independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The wedge bracket employs asymmetric angled side plates that are specifically designed to distribute lateral loads in the critical directions. This asymmetric geometry provides optimized stability performance without requiring symmetric reinforcement on all sides.
3Use of energy by moving object
If cargo is not properly aligned, then fuel consumption increases, but proper alignment requires more complex positioning mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The guide rails on the wedge bracket enable self-alignment of cargo during the loading process. The geometry of the guide rails automatically guides the cargo into the correct position without requiring external positioning mechanisms or complex active control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The wedge bracket is pre-installed on the aircraft floor with predetermined orientations and positions. This preliminary action establishes the alignment geometry before cargo loading, so that proper cargo orientation is achieved through the pre-configured guide rails rather than through active positioning during loading.
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft loading system is configured to tether equipment within an aircraft. The loading system has a wedge shaped bracket that has a front plate joined to two side plates and a bottom plate. A middle plate is parallel to the front plate and joins the two side plates. A front opening is arranged through the bottom plate between the front plate and the middle plate. The front opening is configured to accommodate an attachment ring. The attachment ring is used to tether the equipment within the aircraft.