Double failsafe engine mount

• US 5,927,644 A
• Filed: 10/08/1997
• Issued: 07/27/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 10/08/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Stuart, Alan R., Ellis, Joe E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jordan, Charles T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wesson, Theresa M.
• Application Number:
  US08/947,143
• Time in Patent Office: 657 Days
• Field of Search: 244/54, 244/53 R, 244/55, 248/554, 248/555, 60/39.31
• US Class Current: 244/54
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 27/40 Arrangements for mounting power plants in aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 27/404 Suspension arrangements specially adapted for supporting vertical loads
• CPC Class Codes: F02C 7/20 Mounting or supporting of plant; Accommodating heat expansion or creep
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/40 Weight reduction

Abstract

An aircraft engine mount includes a mounting platform fixedly joinable to an aircraft pylon, and a cooperating mounting ring fixedly joinable to an aircraft engine. The platform includes a pair of spaced apart lugs defining therebetween a failsafe slot. The mounting ring includes an inner flange fixedly joinable to the engine, and an outer flange extending from the inner flange into the failsafe slot. A pair of side links are pivotally joined to the outer flange and at least one of the lugs to carry loads therebetween. A failsafe pin extends across the failsafe slot and is fixedly joined to the lugs. A clearance hole is provided in the outer flange for receiving the failsafe pin and providing a failsafe alternate loadpath between the mounting ring and platform upon failure of the links to carry loads.

Claims

1. An aircraft engine mount for mounting a gas turbine engine to an aircraft pylon comprising:

a mounting platform fixedly joinable to said pylon, and including a pair of spaced apart lugs defining therebetween a failsafe slot;

a mounting ring including an inner mounting flange fixedly joinable to said engine, and an outer mounting flange extending radially outwardly from said inner flange and extending into said failsafe slot between said lugs;

a pair of side links pivotally joined at opposite ends thereof to said outer flange and at least one of said lugs to carry loads therebetween; and

a failsafe pin extending across said failsafe slot and fixedly joined to said lugs, and disposed through a clearance hole in said outer flange for providing a failsafe alternate loadpath between said mounting ring and platform upon failure of one of said links to carry said loads.

2. A mount according to claim 1 further comprising a thrust link pivotally joined at one end to said platform, and having an opposite end pivotally joinable to said engine for carrying thrust loads to said platform.

3. A mount according to claim 2 wherein said outer flange includes an outer boss containing said clearance hole, and said boss is spaced between said lugs for providing a second failsafe alternate loadpath between said mounting ring and platform upon failure of said thrust link to carry said thrust loads.

4. A mount according to claim 3 wherein said platform lugs comprise clevises, and at least one of said side links are pivotally mounted therein around a respective failsafe pins extending through said lugs and through a respective outer boss.

5. A mount according to claim 4 further comprising two pairs of said side links disposed on opposite sides of said outer flange, and pivotally joined at opposite ends thereof to said outer flange and respective ones of said lugs.

6. A mount according to claim 4 wherein said side links are disposed substantially tangent to said inner flange, and converge together toward said platform.

7. A mount according to claim 6 wherein said platform further includes a central shear pin disposed between said lugs for engaging a complementary hole in said pylon for carrying shear loads therebetween.

8. A mount according to claim 7 wherein said side links converge toward said shear pin.

9. A mount according to claim 8 wherein said thrust link is aligned with said shear pin.

10. A mount according to claim 4 wherein:

said inner flange is cylindrical, and includes a proximal end joinable to said engine, and an opposite distal end;

said outer flange includes a proximal end integrally joined to said distal end of said inner flange below said lugs;

a radially opposite distal end spaced between said lugs in said failsafe slot; and

a pair of inner bosses disposed therebetween and pivotally joined to respective ends of said side links; and

said outer boss being disposed in said failsafe slot above said inner bosses.