The technical field relates generally to maintenance of an engine(s) of an aircraft, and more particularly, relates to an apparatus that is configured to be disposed on an inner surface of an open cowl door of an engine of an aircraft and to ergonomically support a person adjacent to the engine, for example, for servicing the engine.
In the aircraft industry, various components require service maintenance during the life of an aircraft. Aircraft engines are one of numerous such components that require frequent servicing.
Many aircraft use turbine (e.g., turbofan, turbojet, or the like) engines to generate thrust. A gas turbine engine works by compressing air with an inlet and a rotating compressor fan(s), mixing fuel with the compressed air, burning the mixture in a combustor, and then passing the hot, high-pressure air through a turbine and a nozzle to generate thrust. A nacelle forms an exterior housing of the engine. One or more cowl doors may be disposed on the barrel of the nacelle to provide access to the various compartments or areas inside the engine.
For service maintenance, a mechanic or other person typically opens the cowl door and positions themselves on an inner surface of the cowl door to gain access to service the engine. Unfortunately, the working space in this area is very tight or limited often requiring the mechanic or other person to be awkwardly positioned for prolonged periods of time, causing body strain and/or risking injury. Further, the inner surface of the cowl door is not flat but rather contoured with many projecting features, such as, for example, structural ribs, switches, cables, and/or other components that make it difficult for the person to work and move around without slipping, tripping, or having a suitable surface for placing their tools and/or other items for servicing the engine.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an apparatus for ergonomically supporting a person adjacent to the engine for servicing an aircraft engine that overcomes one or more of the foregoing issues. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the various embodiments described herein will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and background.
Various non-limiting embodiments of an apparatus for supporting a person adjacent to an aircraft engine having a cowl door with an inner surface are provided herein.
In a first non-limiting embodiment, the apparatus includes, but is not limited to, a body that is configured as a step seat for supporting the person. The body includes, but is not limited to, a first riser section that extends generally upward to a first upper riser portion. The body further includes, but is not limited to, a first tread section that extends generally horizontally from the first upper riser portion to a first aft tread edge portion. The body further includes, but is not limited to, a stiffener, filler section that extends at an incline from the first aft tread edge portion to a distal stiffener, filler edge portion. The body further includes, but is not limited to, a second riser section that extends generally upward from the distal stiffener, filler edge portion to a second upper riser portion. The body further includes, but is not limited to, a second tread section that extends generally horizontally from the second upper riser portion to a second aft tread edge portion. The apparatus is configured to be disposed on the inner surface of the cowl door.
In another non-limiting embodiment, the apparatus includes, but is not limited to, a body that is configured as a step seat for supporting the person. The body includes, but is not limited to, a first riser section that extends generally upward to a first upper riser portion. The body further includes, but is not limited to, a first tread section that extends generally horizontally from the first upper riser portion to a first aft tread edge portion. The body further includes, but is not limited to, a stiffener, filler section that extends at an incline from the first aft tread edge portion to a distal stiffener, filler edge portion. The body further includes, but is not limited to, a second riser section that extends generally upward from the distal stiffener, filler edge portion to a second upper riser portion. The body further includes, but is not limited to, a second tread section that extends generally horizontally from the second upper riser portion to a second aft tread edge portion. The body further includes, but is not limited to, side panels that are spaced apart from each other and that are correspondingly coupled to and support the first riser section, the first tread section, the stiffener, filler section, the second riser section, and the second tread section. The side panels are disposed vertically and each side panel includes a contoured perimeter edge portion. The contoured perimeter edge portions are configured to substantially, matchingly interface with the inner surface of the cowl door.
The various embodiments will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and wherein:
The following Detailed Description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the various embodiments or the application and uses thereof. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background or the following detailed description.
Various embodiments contemplated herein relate to apparatuses for supporting a person adjacent to an aircraft engine having a cowl door with an inner surface, for example, for servicing the engine. The exemplary embodiments taught herein provide an apparatus that includes a body that is configured as a step seat for supporting the person. The body includes a first riser section extending generally upward to a first upper riser portion. A first tread section extends generally horizontally from the first upper riser portion to a first aft tread edge portion. A stiffener, filler section extends at an incline from the first aft tread edge portion to a distal stiffener, filler edge portion. A second riser section extends generally upward from the distal stiffener, filler edge portion to a second upper riser portion. A second tread section extends generally horizontally from the second upper riser portion to a second aft tread edge portion. The apparatus is configured to be disposed on the inner surface of the cowl door.
In an exemplary embodiment, advantageously the apparatus is configured to interface with the smooth contoured areas of the inner surface of the cowl door while having reliefs or cut-out openings to accommodate any projecting features so that the apparatus is securely nested against the inner surface of the cowl door, thereby minimizing or preventing any side-to-side movement or slippage. Further, advantageously the generally horizontal surfaces of the first and second tread sections provides a suitable area for the person to comfortably position themselves (e.g., standing, sitting, or laying down) and/or to move about without the risk of tripping or slipping to service the aircraft engine. Additionally, advantageously the inclined stiffener, filler section, the first tread section, and/or the second tread section provide suitable surfaces for the person to place their tools on and/or other items for servicing the engine.
In an exemplary embodiment, the engines 20 and 22 are configured as turbine (e.g., turbofan) engines. The turbine engines operate by compressing air with inlets and compressor fans that are rotating at operating speeds, mixing fuel with the compressed air, burning the mixture in combustors, and then passing the hot, high-pressure air through turbines and nozzles to generate thrust. Each of the engines 20 and 22 includes a nacelle 24 that forms an exterior housing of the corresponding engine 20, 22. Referring also to
Referring to
In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus 32 includes a body 36 that is configured as a step seat 38 for supporting one or more persons. In particular and as illustrated, the body 36 includes a first riser section 40 extending generally upward to a first upper riser portion 42, a first tread section 44 extending generally horizontally from the first upper riser portion 42 to a first aft tread edge portion 46, a stiffener, filler section 48 extending at an incline from the first aft tread edge portion 46 to a distal stiffener, filler edge portion 50, a second riser section 52 extending generally upward from the distal stiffener, filler edge portion 50 to a second upper riser portion 54, and a second tread section 56 extending generally horizontally from the second upper riser portion 54 to a second aft tread edge portion 58. As such, when the apparatus 32 is positioned on the inner surface 34 of the cowl door 26, the surfaces of the first and second tread sections 44 and 56 are positioned substantially horizontally to provide an ergonomically friendly step seat 38 for the person(s) to stand on, sit on, lay down, or otherwise be supported for servicing the engine 20, 22. In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus 32 includes grip tape 61 and 63 that is disposed on the surfaces of the first and second tread sections 44 and 56, respectively, to provide an anti-slip surface(s) for the person(s).
Referring to
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In an exemplary embodiment, the body 36 of the apparatus 32 may be formed of or otherwise includes a rigid, structural material(s), such as, for example, an aluminum honeycomb sandwich structure material, composite material, plywood, or the like. In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus 32 has a width (W) of from about 3 to about 6 feet, such as, for example about 3.5 to about 4.5 feet.
While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description of the disclosure, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the disclosure in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. It being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims.
This application is related to and claims all available benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63/199,075 filed Dec. 4, 2020, the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63199075 | Dec 2020 | US |