Aircraft Wing Mockup Structure for Lightweight Cantilever Training
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft training mockups often employ scrap aircraft sections that require significant modification and are heavy, making them impractical and costly for ground-based training, and there is a lack of mobile support structures to install aircraft wings in a cantilever form.
Innovation Solution
A ground-based wing mockup station using a primary and secondary support structure, with components made of lighter materials like aluminum and polyurethane foam, allowing for a realistic training environment that simulates actual aircraft wings and payload pylons, capable of supporting weight loads similar to real aircraft components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If scrap aircraft sections are used for training mockups, then realistic training experience is provided, but significant modification is required and weight is excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a simplified copy of the aircraft wing structure that replicates the essential geometric features, component locations, and spatial relationships of the real wing without using actual aircraft sections. This allows trainees to practice maintenance tasks in a realistic environment while avoiding the weight and modification issues of scrap aircraft parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The mockup uses different materials with altered density parameters (lightweight materials instead of actual aircraft structural materials) while maintaining the structural geometry and component layout. This parameter change reduces weight significantly while preserving training realism.
2Reliability
If scrap aircraft sections are used for training mockups, then realistic training experience is provided, but modification costs and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of modifying existing aircraft sections, the patent constructs a new simplified replica that copies only the necessary features for training purposes. This eliminates the need for extensive modification work while maintaining training effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential training-relevant features from the actual aircraft wing design, omitting non-essential structural elements. This extraction approach reduces modification complexity by focusing only on what is necessary for effective training.
3Reliability
If actual aircraft wings are installed in cantilever form, then realistic training environment is created, but mobile support structures are lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a mobile support structure that can be repositioned and reconfigured as needed, transforming the static cantilever installation into a dynamic, adaptable system. This allows the training mockup to be moved to different locations and adjusted for various training scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure is designed to serve multiple functions: providing cantilever support for the mockup, enabling mobility for repositioning, and potentially accommodating different mockup configurations. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between creating a realistic fixed installation and maintaining adaptability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A ground-based wing mockup station is provided. The mockup station comprises a primary support structure removably coupled to a floor and a wing mockup coupled to the primary support structure. A secondary support structure configured to suspend the wing mockup over the floor from the primary support structure. A payload pylon mockup is coupled to the wing mockup, wherein the payload pylon mockup is configured to hold an apparatus. The primary support structure, secondary support structure, wing mockup, and payload pylon mockup are configured to support a weight at least equal to the apparatus.