INTERMEDIATE STRUCTURE FOR INDEPENDENTLY DE-MOUNTABLE PROPULSION COMPONENTS

摘要

An intermediate structure of an aircraft configured to mechanically attach an engine core and an engine fan module to each other and to the aircraft. The intermediate structure may have a ring-shaped portion and/or an elongated mount beam extending substantially perpendicularly from the ring-shaped portion. The ring-shaped portion may have a forward edge and an aft edge opposite of the forward edge, and may include a first attachment portion for attaching to a flange of the engine core, a second attachment portion for attaching to a flange of the engine fan module, and a mounting portion configured for mounting directly to a pylon or airframe of an aircraft. The engine core and/or the engine fan module may independently mechanically attach to and detach from the intermediate structure. The intermediate structure may have a gearbox mounted thereto for interfacing with rotary components of the engine core and the engine fan module.

主权项

1. A method of coupling and decoupling an engine core with an engine fan module via an intermediate structure of an aircraft, wherein the intermediate structure has a ring-shaped portion made of a rigid material and mounted directly to a pylon or airframe of the aircraft, the method comprising:
mechanically attaching the engine core to the intermediate structure at a first edge of the intermediate structure; mechanically attaching the engine fan module to the intermediate structure at a second edge of the intermediate structure, wherein the second edge of the intermediate structure is opposite of the first edge; and mechanically disconnecting and removing one of the engine core and the engine fan module from the intermediate structure while another one of the engine core and the engine fan module remains mechanically attached to and supported on the aircraft by the intermediate structure.