Mounting Patents (Class 244/54)
  • Patent number: 8366039
    Abstract: Disclosed is a pylon fairing for a turbine engine. The anterior portion of the pylon fair is attached to a turbine engine in a manner to absorb blows against the fan casing of the turbine engine in case of breakage of the fan blades of the turbine engine. The pylon fairing is configured with the turbine engine such that the anterior part of the pylon fairing is fastened to the engine's fan casing via a front fixing and a rear fixing. The rear fixing is affixed to the fan casing as relatively loose in order to absorb tolerances, and the front fixing is affixed to the fan casing and as flexible in at least approximately a radial direction with respect to the fan casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventor: Alain Porte
  • Patent number: 8366038
    Abstract: A front attachment device for fastening a turbojet engine to an aircraft fixing strut. The attachment device is adapted to absorb the turbojet engine thrust loads, and includes a top bracket, and a lower bracket. A thrust load absorption vector results from a first convergence point of primary vectors passing through primary fixing points that couple the top bracket to the lower bracket and a second convergence point of secondary vectors passing through secondary fixing points that couple the lower bracket to the turbojet engine. The thrust load absorption vector transmits the turbojet engine thrust loads to the fixing strut, and extends along a longitudinal axis of the turbojet engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventor: Hervé Marche
  • Patent number: 8356769
    Abstract: An aircraft engine assembly including an engine, an engine mounting structure, and a nacelle surrounding the engine and including fan cowls. The mounting structure includes a rigid structure and a forward aerodynamic structure on which the fan cowls are hinged, the forward aerodynamic structure including a cradle provided with an aft mounting mechanism mounted on the rigid structure. The cradle also includes a forward mounting mechanism mounted on a fan case of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventors: Frederic Roche, Jean-Marc Martinou
  • Publication number: 20130015291
    Abstract: A mount yoke assembly comprises a first main hanger bracket and a first anchor bracket. The first main hanger bracket includes a first receiving portion for a first auxiliary power unit (APU) mount with first and second hanger arms. The first hanger arm includes a first hanger flange extending proximate a distal end of the first hanger arm. The first anchor bracket includes a first plurality of anchor holes and a first anchor flange. The first plurality of anchor holes are disposed substantially along a length of the first anchor bracket for securing the mount yoke assembly to a component of an APU assembly. The first anchor flange extends from the first anchor bracket for hingeably securing the first anchor bracket to the first main hanger bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian C. DeDe, David Lau, Gordon F. Jewess
  • Patent number: 8353476
    Abstract: An aircraft engine pylon comprises a top wall, a bottom wall, a left side wall, and a right side wall. The left side wall includes a left truss structure along with a left upper ledge and a left lower ledge. The right side wall includes a right truss structure along with a right upper ledge and a right lower ledge. The top wall is joined with the left upper ledge and the right upper ledge and an upper truss structure is formed in the left upper ledge, the right upper ledge, and the top wall. The bottom wall is joined with the left lower ledge and the right lower ledge and a lower truss structure is formed in the left lower ledge, the right lower ledge, and the bottom wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Spirit AeroSystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon R. Crook, Randall R. West, George Larimore Huggins
  • Patent number: 8348191
    Abstract: A mounting apparatus for an aircraft engine that provides load path redundancy includes a forward mount that attaches the aircraft engine to a pylon at a forward position of the aircraft engine, an aft mount that attaches the aircraft engine to the pylon at an aft position of the aircraft engine and a thrust assembly connected to the forward mount, and the aft mount. The forward mount includes an aircraft engine attachment assembly and a fail-safe assembly. The aft mount includes an aircraft engine attachment assembly and a fail-safe assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Spirit AeroSystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Randall Ray West
  • Publication number: 20130001356
    Abstract: Aircraft having attached to the rear fuselage (31) a propulsion system (13) by means of upstream pylons (17); the aircraft comprising a vertical tail plane (21) attached to the rear fuselage (31); the rear fuselage (31) extending from a rear pressure bulkhead (27) to the aircraft tail (29), comprising a skin (35) and a plurality of frames (37, 37?, 37?) arranged perpendicularly to a central longitudinal axis (33), and having a curved shape with at least a vertical symmetry plane (A-A); the vertical tail plane (21) comprising a torsion box with left and right skins, frontal and rear spars (51, 53) and a plurality of ribs (55); the aircraft also comprising a resistant structure connecting said vertical tail plane (21) with the rear fuselage (31) that acts as a redundant load path in failure events of the propulsion system (13) that can produce damages in the rear fuselage (31).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS, S.L.
    Inventors: Raúl Carlos LLAMAS SANDÍN, José Luis Martínez Muñoz
  • Patent number: 8342444
    Abstract: An apparatus for mounting an aircraft engine to a wing includes a torque box strut for supporting the engine and a mounting system for attaching the torque box strut to the wing. The mounting system has an aft mounting system for attaching the torque box strut to the wing and that has at least one active aft link for attaching the torque box strut to the wing during normal aircraft operation, and at least one aft link catcher for attaching the torque box strut to the wing upon a failure of one of the at least one active aft link. The mounting system has a forward mounting system for attaching the torque box strut to the wing and that has at least one active forward link for attaching the torque box strut to the wing during normal aircraft operation, and at least one forward link catcher for attaching the torque box strut to the wing upon a failure of one of the at least one active forward link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Scott Hartshorn, Dean Leon Parham, Donald T. Powell
  • Patent number: 8342473
    Abstract: Mounting of gas turbine engines in aircraft requires use of thrust struts associated with mountings. It is important should there be failure that a load path is maintained. Furthermore, on a wing or in-situ inspection is highly desirable with respect to reducing maintenance costs. Of particular concern is failure as a result of cracking both sideways and vertical which may result in loss of all load paths through the mounting. By provision of independent cranks which are associated through crank pivots in apertures of the cranks and then articulation about central pivots provided in apertures and a central element along with pivot association of the struts through pivots created about apertures in the cranks load paths are maintained. By independent provision of the cranks sideways and vertical cracking cannot cause failure in both load paths to the arrangement from the struts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventors: Lawrence D Foster, Michael H Young
  • Publication number: 20120325958
    Abstract: A rear tail assembly for an aircraft, including a fuselage, a wing and at least one propulsion engine attached in the rear portion of the fuselage located behind the wing along the X longitudinal axis of the aircraft, wherein the aforementioned assembly includes aerodynamic surfaces connected in the rear portion of the fuselage. The tail assembly essentially includes horizontal aerodynamic surfaces and essentially vertical aerodynamic surface arranged so as to form an annular structure including at least one ring attached to the fuselage. At lease one engine is held in the ring formed by the tail assembly. In one embodiment, a central fin is used for defining two rings in the annular structure. In particular embodiments of an aircraft including such a tail assembly, one or two engines can be fitted in the ring area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: AIRBUS FRANCE
    Inventors: Olivier Cazals, Thierry Druot
  • Patent number: 8336812
    Abstract: An engine attachment for an assembly system configured to be mounted between a rigid structure of an attachment strut of an aircraft engine and an engine. The attachment includes a main body, a rudder bar on an articulated mounting on the main body by a hinge pin, and two thrust absorption rods each with one end connected to the rudder bar. The main body includes a first main brace and a second main brace superimposed on the first brace. The hinge pin is formed by a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is made in one piece with the first brace and the second portion is made in one piece with the second brace. Furthermore, the braces define a stop limit surface configured to limit rotation of the rudder bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventors: Jacques Beaufort, Jean-Francois Dumont
  • Patent number: 8336813
    Abstract: According to the invention, the engine pylon for the suspension of a turbo engine under an aircraft wing is such that the trailing edge of the rear lower part of the engine pylon is shifted toward the root of the wing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignees: Airbus Operations SAS, Airbus UK Limited
    Inventors: Cyril Bonnaud, Thierry Fol, Anne Dumoulin, Tom Gibson, Neil Lyons
  • Patent number: 8333343
    Abstract: The invention relates to a jet engine nacelle intended to equip an aircraft, comprising a forward air inlet section, a mid-section intended to surround a fan of the jet engine, and an aft section formed from at least first and second half-shells (9, 10) rotatably mounted about an axis (A) such that they can each be deployed between a working position in which the half-shells (9, 10) are drawn towards one another and a maintenance position in which the half-shells (9, 10) are spaced apart, the mid- and aft sections being connected to one another by a frame (12) which is fixed with respect to the jet engine, the first and second half-shells (9, 10) being equipped with positioning means (13) which in the working position cooperate with complementary positioning means (14) formed on the fixed frame (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Aircelle
    Inventor: Gilles Bourdon
  • Patent number: 8328133
    Abstract: A mounting system for a gas turbine engine includes a mounting linkage assembly and a tangential link positioned generally transverse to the mounting linkage assembly. The mounting linkage assembly reacts at least a thrust load. The tangential link reacts at least a vertical load, a side load, and a torque load of the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Brian D. Merry, David W. J. Franklin, Christopher M. Dye
  • Patent number: 8328129
    Abstract: A preferred embodiment of a pylon has six pylon mounting links for mounting the pylon to an airframe. Each link is considered “near-rigid” and has a spherical-bearing rod-end on both ends such that the link can only transmit axial loads. At least one of the links has a mass carried within the link and selectively moveable by an actuating means along the axis of the link in an oscillatory manner for attenuating vibrations traveling axially through the link. The actuating means may be an electromechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, or piezoelectric system. By mounting each link in a selected orientation relative to the other links, the actuating means may be operated in a manner that attenuates axial vibration that would otherwise be transmitted through the link and into the airframe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Smith, Frank B. Stamps
  • Patent number: 8328132
    Abstract: A damage-tolerance attachment system for an aircraft engine includes first and second attachment devices attaching the aircraft engine to a pylon fixedly attached to the aircraft, and a third backup attachment device including a first portion attached to the pylon and a second portion attached to the engine, the first and second portions connected together loosely so as not to disrupt an isostasy of the first and second attachment devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventors: Herve Marche, Gilles Weyland
  • Publication number: 20120305700
    Abstract: A mounting system and method capable of reducing backbone deflection in a high-bypass turbofan engine. The system includes a rigid structure and a linkage mechanism having at least first and second links that are each pivotally connected to the rigid structure and adapted to be pivotally connected to an engine support structure of the aircraft. The first and second links are configured to define a focal point thereof at a location that is a distance from a centerline of the engine of not more than 15% of an inlet diameter at an inlet of the engine, and is located aft of a vector of an inlet load to which the engine is subjected when the aircraft is in a climb maneuver. The location of the focal point is such that a moment of a thrust load of the engine and a moment of the inlet load oppose each other, thereby reducing backbone bending of the engine during the climb maneuver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Alan Roy Stuart, John Robert Fehrmann
  • Patent number: 8322653
    Abstract: Latch beams and hinge beams of an aircraft thrust reverser and a method for manufacturing the beams. The latch and hinge beams may comprise a plurality of hollow composite tubes joined with a plurality of machined metal fittings in alternating succession. The metal fittings may comprise at least one of hinge fittings and latching fittings. The latch and hinge beams may further comprise slider tracks configured to slidably attach to a translating sleeve of the thrust reverser. The hinge beams may each be rotatably attached to an engine strut or pylon of the aircraft, and the latch beams may each be mechanically latched with each other. Each of the latch and hinge beams may also be fixedly attached to an inner engine cowling of the thrust reverser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Spirit AeroSystems, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Welch, Henry A. Schaefer, Matthew Scott Tymes, Michael Urban
  • Patent number: 8322652
    Abstract: A thrust mount arrangement is disclosed for mounting a gas turbine engine to an aircraft via a pylon. The thrust mount arrangement comprises a mounting bracket fixedly mountable to said pylon, and a pair of thrust links connected to said mounting bracket and connectable to said engine so as to define in combination with said mounting bracket a primary load path between the engine and the pylon to carry engine loads under normal operating conditions. The arrangement is characterized in that said thrust links are each configured to engage the pylon directly in the event of failure of the primary load path, so as to define an auxiliary load path between the engine and the pylon. This arrangement thus provides an auxiliary load path which follows a different route to the primary load path, by eliminating the mounting bracket from the auxiliary load path. This provides a more robust arrangement in the event that the mounting bracket itself should fail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce, PLC
    Inventor: Richard G. Stretton
  • Patent number: 8322651
    Abstract: A mounting structure for an aircraft engine including a rigid structure and a mechanism to mount the engine on the rigid structure. The mounting mechanism includes a thrust load device including two side thrust links each including an aft end mounted on an evener bar of the device, via a mechanical connection. Each connection is formed by a lug provided on the evener bar and passing through an orifice made in the aft end, the lug being arranged so as to extend substantially laterally relative to the mounting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventors: Stephane Levert, Jacques Beaufort
  • Patent number: 8308105
    Abstract: An aircraft engine mounting structure comprising a pylon box having an upper surface and at least one attachment element configured to be attached to a front spar of an aircraft wing box, the front spar having a lower surface, the attachment element being configured to attach the rear face of the pylon box to the front spar such that at least a portion of the upper surface of the pylon box lies above the lower surface of the front spar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Airbus Operations Limited
    Inventors: Alistair Forbes, Kenneth Cox
  • Patent number: 8303243
    Abstract: An access conduit for access to the interior of a combustor for the washing of the turbine components of a gas turbine engine. The access conduit is secured between a gas generator case and a combustion chamber liner of the combustor. The access conduit has an open outer end accessible from an outer face of the gas generator case and an open inner end exiting in a combustion chamber through the liner. The access conduit has one or more openings disposed in a combustor gap between the gas generator case and the liner of the combustor. A plug is removably secured in the open outer end and extends into the access conduit to obstruct the one or more openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Jason Fish, Kian McCaldon
  • Publication number: 20120273610
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing an engine pylon (7) to be mounted between an engine (1) and an aircraft wing (6), said method comprising: mounting a pylon box (8) around a main structure (9), the box having a substantially oblong shape along which an air boundary layer (C) is formed while in flight; mounting at least one vortex generator (2) onto the pylon box such that a thickness (e) of the boundary layer is changed; and previously determining the shape of the pylon on the basis of the changed thickness of the boundary layer and the position of the vortex generators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS (S.A.S.)
    Inventors: Steve Bedoin, Cyril Bonnaud
  • Publication number: 20120273609
    Abstract: The invention relates to a streamlined profile reducing the speed deficit in its wake, a pylon comprising such a profile, a propulsion assembly including such a pylon and an aircraft including this assembly. The profile comprises a device (40) for suction of air from the boundary layer formed on this profile. This suctioned air is discharged with the aid of a nozzle (48) the outlet of which is situated close to the trailing edge of the profile. Suction of the air and discharge thereof contribute to reducing the speed deficit downstream from the profile and therefore to reducing the turbulences in this zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS (S.A.S.)
    Inventors: Damien Prat, Camil Negulescu, Frederic Barrois, Bastien Caruelle
  • Publication number: 20120241555
    Abstract: The support block (130) of each motor of the drone comprises: a support part (131) onto which are fastened an electric motor (120) for driving a propulsion group (100) of the drone, and at least one component (111) of the propulsion group intended to be coupled to the motor; a stand foot (132) for supporting the drone on the ground; and a connection element (133) extending between the support part and the stand foot. The stand foot and the connection element providing together a clearance space (134) for the electric motor during the placement of the motor in its fastening position on the support part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: PARROT
    Inventors: Guillaume Savoye, Yoni Benatar, Francois Callou
  • Patent number: 8272595
    Abstract: A fan cowl support for an aircraft having an engine pylon, an engine fan case and an engine fan cowl. The fan cowl support includes a support having a forward end connected to the engine fan case and an aft end connected to the engine pylon. At least a portion of the engine fan cowl is connected to the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventors: Jihad I. Ramlaoui, Timothy Gormley
  • Publication number: 20120234970
    Abstract: The invention relates to an aircraft engine attachment pylon, comprising a box formed by the assembly of a first spar (18), a second spar (20) and two lateral panels (22), the pylon also comprising an aft engine attachment (8) fitted with an aft attachment body (54), and also provided with two lateral fittings (26) associated with the two lateral panels (22) to which they are fixed and from which they project laterally outside the caisson, each fitting (26) forming a plane attachment interface (36) with the attachment body (54) through which bolts pass (56). According to the invention, each interface (36) is in the shape of a straight segment inclined at 45° from the vertical direction (Z) as seen in section on any transverse plane of the pylon passing through it.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: Airbus Operations (Societe par Actions Simplifiee)
    Inventor: Hervé MARCHE
  • Patent number: 8267349
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine according to an exemplary aspect of the present invention includes a gear train defined along an engine centerline axis, and a spool along the engine centerline axis which drives the gear train, the spool includes a low stage count low pressure turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Brian D. Merry, Christopher M. Dye, Steven B. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8262050
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for removing an aircraft engine. A method includes mounting a frame assembly in supported connection with a support member of an associated aircraft. The frame assembly includes a frame member, a movable assembly mounted in movable relationship to the frame member, and a plurality of engine winches mounted in supported connection with the movable member. Each engine winch has an associated engine cable operably connected thereto. The movable assembly is movable between forward and rearward positions. The method further includes supporting the weight of at least a portion of an aircraft engine with the engine cables and moving the movable member relative to the frame member to displace the portion of the aircraft engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Mark Linz
  • Patent number: 8256708
    Abstract: An aircraft engine attachment device including a rigid structure and a mechanism attaching the engine on the rigid structure, the attachment mechanism including a rear engine attachment and a device for taking-up thrust forces generated by the engine. The rear engine attachment is attached to the rigid structure by two lateral fittings attached to the rigid structure. The force take-up device includes two connecting rods mechanically connected to a spreader beam by a mechanical connection, a connection fitting attached to the rear engine attachment and mechanically connected to the rigid structure by a thrust pin, the lateral fittings including a stop mechanism to limit pivoting of the spreader beam if a connecting rod breaks and ensuring transmission of thrust forces to the rigid structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventors: Emmanuel Guillet, Jean-Marc Martinou, Pascal Gardes
  • Patent number: 8256709
    Abstract: An aircraft propeller-engine layout includes at least one engine (10) arranged in a tail (2) of a fuselage (1) of an aircraft and has at least one propeller arrangement, with a shaft of the propeller (6, 7) being connected to a shaft (21) of the engine (10) via at least one transfer shaft (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG
    Inventor: Dimitrie Negulescu
  • Patent number: 8256707
    Abstract: An engine mounting configuration reacts engine thrust at an aft mount. The engine mounting configuration reduces backbone bending of the engine, intermediate case distortion and frees-up space within the core nacelle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Jon A. Marx, Brian D. Merry, Craig A. Nordeen, Christopher M. Dye
  • Patent number: 8251309
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (9) for taking up thrust forces for an aircraft engine pylon, which includes safety means, associated with each of the two lateral link rods (90) for taking up forces and equipped with first end-stop means (108) fitted to the link rod, as well as second end-stop means (112) fitted to the spreader bar (91), where these end-stop means, once they have come into contact as a result of relative rotation between the spreader bar and the link rod around the axis (93) of a link rod pivot mechanism (92) and in a given direction of rotation, are used to stop the said relative rotation in the given direction of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventors: Laurent Sammito, Michael Berjot
  • Patent number: 8251310
    Abstract: Sail wing aircraft which includes a wing (6) and at least one propulsion engine (8). It includes an upper beam (22) which is firmly fixed at its front end to a first frame (12) located on an air inlet (14) of the propulsion engine and which is in addition firmly fixed at its median part to a second frame (16) located to the rear of the first frame. The sail wing aircraft includes in addition a pylon (26) for attachment of the engine onto the fuselage, where the engine is fixed to the pylon (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventors: Herve Marche, Fabien Raison
  • Patent number: 8251311
    Abstract: An engine attachment pylon for an aircraft including an intermediate piece interposed between a crossbar support and a rigid caisson, a first shear slug passing through a first interface fixing plane between the piece and the caisson, and a second shear slug passing through a second interface fixing plane between the piece and the support. Also, in side elevation, the intersection point between an axis of the pin and the plane, as well as the intersection point between an axis of the pin and the plane, are located on the common axis of two lateral thrust force collection connecting rods articulated on the crossbar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Airbus Operation SAS
    Inventors: Stephane Combes, Laurent Sammito, Michael Berjot
  • Publication number: 20120211597
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for attaching an element (3) capable of vibrating onto an aircraft structure (2), comprising at least one pair of scoops (10) attached onto the element capable of vibrating, as well as onto the structure, each scoop (10a, 10b) of the pair of scoops comprising: an outer rigid element (12) attached onto the structure; an inner rigid element (13) mounted inside the outer rigid element and rigidly connected to the element capable of vibrating; and a flexible element (14) placed along each outer rigid element flank, between the outer rigid element and the inner rigid element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS (S.A.S.)
    Inventor: Mathieu Bonnet
  • Patent number: 8240600
    Abstract: A pylon for suspending an engine beneath an aircraft wing, capable of being attached by one end to a casing of the engine and by another end to the wing is disclosed. The pylon includes at least one articulation actuated by a actuator making it possible to change the height position of the engine on the ground and in flight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Snecma
    Inventor: Wouter Balk
  • Patent number: 8240601
    Abstract: A coaxial rotary coupling (11) includes a hollow inner tube (4) and a hollow outer tube (7), with inner and outer splines (12 and 13) in mutual engagement. The coupling (11) further includes: approach elements for longitudinally approaching the inner and outer tubes (4, 7) together with elements presenting a wedge arrangement for causing the inner and outer tubes (4, 7) to turn (23) relative to each other in opposite directions so as to limit tangential assembly slack; a soleplate (16) of the driven tube (7); and a flange (17); the driving tubes (4) having complementary splines (12, 13, 18) together with dogs including force-transformation ramps (31) that are distributed peripherally within the coupling (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Eurocopter
    Inventors: Etienne Rampal, Elio Zoppitelli
  • Patent number: 8231332
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a nacelle for a turbojet, comprising an air inlet structure capable of channelling a flow of air to a turbojet fan and a middle structure (5) comprising a casing (9) designed to encircle said fan, with the air inlet structure attached to it, said structure having a peripheral inside surface at least partly equipped with a sound-attenuating structure (13) extending without geometrical interruption around at least part of the casing, said structure being characterized in that a gap (14) is provided between the sound-attenuating structure and the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Aircelle
    Inventors: Guy Bernard Vauchel, Christophe Thorel
  • Patent number: 8226027
    Abstract: An aircraft engine assembly including a turbojet, a turbojet attachment pylon, and a nacelle mounted on the attachment pylon and surrounding the turbojet. The nacelle includes at least one mobile nacelle portion forming a single piece envelope all around a section of the turbojet, this mobile nacelle portion being mounted free to slide on the attachment pylon so that it can be moved from the forward position in the aft direction, and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Airbus Operations (Societe par Actions Simplifiee)
    Inventors: Frederic Journade, Laurent Lafont
  • Patent number: 8226029
    Abstract: An engine mounting structure for an engine aircraft including a rigid structure forming a caisson, together with an engine mounting system mounted on the structure, and a rear engine attachment, including an attachment strut to which is connected at least one shackle, to be connected to the engine. The engine mounting system includes a system for transmitting thrust efforts generated by the engine, including two lateral connecting rods connected to a spreader beam mounted in articulated fashion relative to the caisson. The attachment strut constitutes the spreader beam, wherein the body is mounted in articulated fashion relative to the caisson using an articulated shaft system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Airbus Operations (Societe par Actions Simplifiee)
    Inventors: Eric Haramburu, Laurent Sammito, Jean Larrochelle
  • Patent number: 8226028
    Abstract: An engine unit for an aircraft including a turboprop engine and its device for mounting on to a wing surface. The device includes a rigid structure and a mechanism for fastening the turboprop engine on to this structure. The fastening mechanism includes six mutually independent hydraulic systems, each one exclusively dedicated to the transfer, to the rigid structure, of forces exerted respectively according to one of the six degrees of freedom of movement. Each hydraulic system includes at least one hydraulic jack with a piston attached to one of the two elements, i.e. either the turboprop engine or the rigid structure, together with a cylinder housing the piston and attached to the other of the two elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Airbus Operations (Societe par Actions Simplifiee)
    Inventor: Herve Marche
  • Patent number: 8220738
    Abstract: A method of assembling a nacelle for a gas turbine engine that includes an inlet end, an exhaust end, and an axis that extends through the engine from the inlet end through the exhaust end is provided. The method includes providing a cowl sized to cover at least a portion of the engine and coupling the cowl to the engine such that the cowl is slideable along the axis toward at least one of the inlet end and the exhaust end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: MRA Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David P. Calder, Graham F. Howarth
  • Publication number: 20120175462
    Abstract: An engine is suspended from a main linear portion of a structure mounted on a fuselage or a wing surface of an aircraft. A connection includes flat symmetrical wings at an angle to one another, to support an attaching flange on which the engine is mounted, directly or through a mounting element. The flat shape of the wings makes them easy to manufacture, and enables them to resist the forces satisfactorily. The intermediate element resists overhang forces of the mounting satisfactorily. Flexible connections filter the engine's vibrations and prevent irregular forces being transmitted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS (S.A.S.)
    Inventors: Frederic Journade, Laurent Lafont, Laurent Agostini, Eric Renaud, Delphine Jalbert
  • Patent number: 8219363
    Abstract: A jet noise source modeling method of creating a jet noise source model, includes: setting a plurality of point sound sources by quantizing a strength distribution of a jet noise source determined through an analysis of a jet stream and determining respective sound source strengths of respective point sound sources; and determining respective phases of the respective point sound sources based on a known noise level of a far free sound field related with the jet stream. An aircraft having an airframe capable of insulating the interior thereof from noises is designed on the basis of the results of the analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Noboru Masukawa, Eiji Shima, Kenji Hayama
  • Patent number: 8215580
    Abstract: A suspension of a multi-flow turbojet engine provided with an intermediate casing and an exhaust casing from a pylon that can be attached to the structure of an aircraft is disclosed. The suspension includes a forward attachment device between the hub of the intermediate casing and the pylon, a rear attachment device between the exhaust casing and the pylon, and a connection device rigidly connecting the intermediate casing to the pylon. The rear attachment device includes an actuator for compensating for the variations in diameter of the exhaust casing so as to keep the axis of the exhaust casing coaxial with the axis of the intermediate casing through the various phases of flight of the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventor: Wouter Balk
  • Publication number: 20120168558
    Abstract: An engine is mounted on a structure by an intermediate structure assembled by flanges, to the structure and to the engine, where a rigid structure connects the flanges. This arrangement enables design of the structure to be simplified while allowing a substantial overhang when it is sought to mount the engine by the plane of its center of gravity, while being obliged to move the mounting structure away from it. The intermediate structure is resistant to forces resulting from the overhang, and also allows assemblies that are favorable to a balanced transmission of forces to the structure and a satisfactory ability to filter vibrations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS (S.A.S)
    Inventors: Frederic Journade, Laurent Lafont, Laurent Agostini, Eric Renaud, Delphine Jalbert
  • Publication number: 20120160957
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a unique aircraft. Another embodiment is a unique external pod for an aircraft. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for aircraft and external pods for aircraft. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application will become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventors: Steve Gagne, John R. Arvin
  • Patent number: 8205826
    Abstract: A device for attaching an aircraft engine including a thrust force take-up device that includes a main fitting to be fixed to an engine mounting beam fixed to a box structure, an additional fitting fixed to the main fitting, and two load reacting link rods connected to the main fitting by a balance beam, each of the link rods being connected to the balance beam by a first longitudinal end by a first mechanical connection that has at least one axis of rotation, each of the link rods being connected to the additional fitting by a second longitudinal end by a second mechanical connection that has at least one axis of rotation, the second mechanical connection having play, the first and second mechanical connections having at least one axis of rotation in common.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventors: Stephane Combes, Emmanuel Guillet
  • Patent number: 8205331
    Abstract: A full time lean air fuel mixture running spark ignited air cooled aircraft piston engine. In one embodiment, a drop-in substitution is provided for an equivalent make, model, and engine size, wherein the new, rebuilt, or reconfigured engine provides as much or more horsepower when compared to the original engine, but runs at a lean air fuel ratio condition during normal operating modes, including takeoff, climb, and cruise, thus saving significantly on fuel. In yet another embodiment, a drop-in substitution having a somewhat larger cylinder displacement volume may be provided to attain equivalent or enhanced maximum horsepower while operating at lean air fuel ratios. Enhanced engine life may be anticipated, since cylinder head temperatures (CHTs) may be reduced, compared to engines using rich air fuel ratios for climb and cruise conditions. Aircraft using such engines are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Inventor: George W. Braly