Systems and methods for distributing loads from fluid conduits, including aircraft fuel conduits
First Claim
1. A method for distributing loads from a fluid conduit, the method comprising:
- attaching a support member to a fluid conduit, the support member including (a) a first support member portion at one side of the fluid conduit, and (b) a second support member portion at a generally opposite side of the fluid conduit as the first support member portion, wherein the first support member portion includes a first attachment portion and a second attachment portion, and wherein the second support member portion includes a third attachment portion and a fourth attachment portion;
attaching the support member and fluid conduit to a spar, the spar including a first spar rib and a second spar rib spaced apart from the first spar rib, and wherein attaching the support member and fluid conduit to the spar comprises attaching the first attachment portion and third attachment portion to the first spar rib, and attaching the second attachment portion and fourth attachment portion to the second spar rib; and
transferring at least approximately all the axial loads of the fluid conduit from the support member to at least one of the first spar rib and the second spar rib.
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Abstract
Systems and methods for distributing loads from fluid conduits, including aircraft fuel conduits. An aircraft configured in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes a fuselage portion, a wing portion, and a fuel tank carried by least one of the fuselage portion and the wing portion. The aircraft also includes a spar carried by at least one of the fuselage portion and the wing portion. The spar includes a first spar rib and a second spar rib spaced apart from the first spar rib. The aircraft further includes a fluid conduit proximate to the spar and operably coupled to the fuel tank. A support member carrying the fluid conduit is operably coupled to the spar. The support member can be positioned to transfer at least approximately all of the axial loads from the fluid conduit to at least one of the first spar rib and the second spar rib.
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Citations
7 Claims
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1. A method for distributing loads from a fluid conduit, the method comprising:
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attaching a support member to a fluid conduit, the support member including (a) a first support member portion at one side of the fluid conduit, and (b) a second support member portion at a generally opposite side of the fluid conduit as the first support member portion, wherein the first support member portion includes a first attachment portion and a second attachment portion, and wherein the second support member portion includes a third attachment portion and a fourth attachment portion; attaching the support member and fluid conduit to a spar, the spar including a first spar rib and a second spar rib spaced apart from the first spar rib, and wherein attaching the support member and fluid conduit to the spar comprises attaching the first attachment portion and third attachment portion to the first spar rib, and attaching the second attachment portion and fourth attachment portion to the second spar rib; and transferring at least approximately all the axial loads of the fluid conduit from the support member to at least one of the first spar rib and the second spar rib. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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Specification