Aircraft Wing Strut Coupling for Engine Ground Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing size of aircraft engines poses challenges in positioning them relative to the wing, particularly in achieving sufficient ground clearance, as larger engines extend closer to the ground, necessitating an improved system for securing engines to wings while maintaining desired ground clearance.
Innovation Solution
A coupling system that secures one or more spars of an aircraft wing to struts using a plurality of interface joints, aligning the front surface of the spars with the rear surface of the struts in an in-line configuration, allowing the engine to be mounted opposite the coupling system, thereby increasing ground clearance. This system includes discrete pinned joints for load paths and a fail-safe mechanism to absorb loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If larger engines are used to meet performance objectives, then engine power is improved, but ground clearance deteriorates as the engine extends closer to the ground
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the engine from a conventional under-wing location to an outboard position on the wing tip pylon, utilizing the lateral dimension (spanwise direction) rather than the vertical dimension. This dimensional shift allows larger engines to be mounted while maintaining ground clearance, as the engine is positioned horizontally away from the fuselage centerline rather than vertically below the wing.
2Length of moving object
If the engine is positioned outboard on the wing tip pylon, then ground clearance is improved, but the structural coupling complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling system is divided into distinct modular components: outboard spars extending from the wing, struts connecting to the engine, and interface joints with multiple pinned connections. This segmentation allows each component to be independently designed, manufactured, and assembled, reducing overall system complexity despite the innovative configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The outboard spars act as intermediary structural elements between the main wing spar and the engine-mounted strut. These spars transfer loads from the engine through the strut to the wing structure, providing a mechanical mediation that simplifies the coupling architecture while enabling the outboard engine position.
3Reliability
If multiple interface joints are used to secure the spar to the strut, then connection reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The interface joints incorporate pinned connections that allow for self-alignment and self-assembly during manufacturing and installation. The discrete pinned joints can be assembled in a straightforward sequence without requiring complex alignment procedures or specialized tooling, thereby maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving high connection reliability through multiple load paths.
Data Source
AI summary
A coupling system and method are configured to secure one or more spars of a wing of an aircraft to one or more struts. The coupling system and method include a plurality of interface joints that secure the one or more spars to the one or more struts. At least a portion of a front surface of the one or more spars is linearly aligned with at least a portion of a rear surface of the one more struts.