Aircraft Wing Systems Module Mounting Without Fuel Tank Seal Break

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aircraft wing construction methods require sequential construction of structural and systems elements, making removal of systems components time-consuming and complex, particularly when the fuel tank seal must be broken for servicing.

Innovation Solution

Aircraft wing structure with a spar and releasable systems module secured to brackets, allowing parallel construction and easy removal without breaking the fuel tank seal, using fasteners or adhesion to secure the systems module to the spar.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If systems components are individually placed on the wing structure after structural construction, then the wing can be manufactured in a traditional sequential manner, but the removal of systems components becomes time-consuming and complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewing manufacturing processVSAvoidsystems component removal
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The wing structure is divided into modular systems modules that can be independently constructed and then assembled to the structural elements. Each systems module is a self-contained unit with mounting brackets that allow for easy attachment and detachment, enabling parallel construction of structural and systems components while simplifying future maintenance and repair operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If systems components are installed after structural construction, then the structural elements can be completed first, but the fuel tank seal must be broken for servicing which is complex and time consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural element constructionVSAvoidfuel tank seal breaking time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting brackets are pre-installed on the structural elements during the structural construction phase, positioned and secured before the fuel tank is formed. This preliminary action ensures that the brackets are in place and ready for systems module attachment without requiring any intervention inside the fuel tank later, eliminating the need to break the seal for servicing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If individual placement of systems is used, then the wing structure can be built traditionally, but the placement process makes removal for servicing time consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewing structure constructionVSAvoidsystems component removal speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple systems components are merged into integrated systems modules that are attached to the wing structure as complete units rather than individual components. This modular approach maintains the structural simplicity of traditional wing construction while enabling rapid removal of entire systems modules for servicing, dramatically improving productivity during maintenance operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4219294B1Improvements relating to wing construction
Publication Date: 2026.04.01 AIRBUS OPERATIONS LTD
  • EP4219294B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4219294B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4219294B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

An aircraft wing structure (100) comprising a spar (101) and a systems module (200) is disclosed. The systems module (200) can comprise electrical cables (205). The systems module (200) is releasably secured to a plurality of brackets (300) on a first side of the spar (101) and the second, opposite side of the spar is configured to define a wall of a fuel tank of an aircraft wing. Methods of installing and removing the systems module are also described.