IP Library Granted Patent US 7,931,234
Granted Patent B2
US 7,931,234 · App. 12/063,736 · Granted Apr 26, 2011

Continuous fuselage connection

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,931,234
App. No.
12/063,736
Granted
Apr 26, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

An attachment system for attaching a tail unit to an attachment surface of an aircraft is disclosed. An attachment surface may be a fuselage, for example. In an arrangement, the attachment system includes a mounting with a first bearing surface that is capable of resting against the tail unit, and a second bearing surface that is capable of resting against the attachment surface. The first bearing surface and the second bearing surface, of which there is at least one, include a common line of contact. In the arrangement, the planes of the first bearing surface and of the second bearing surface are at an angle that differs from 0° and 180°.

Claims (34)

1. An attachment system for attaching a tail unit to an attachment surface of an aircraft, comprising:

an attachment surface, and

a mounting having a first bearing surface that is capable of resting against the tail unit, and a second bearing surface that is capable of resting against the attachment surface of the aircraft, wherein the first bearing surface and the second bearing surface comprise a common line of contact,

the first bearing surface forms a first surface and the second bearing surface forms a second surface,

the first surface and the second surface define an angle which differs from 0° and 180°, the first bearing surface and the tail unit each comprise a first contact region with a first surface shape, and the first surface shape of the first bearing surface contact region corresponds to the first surface shape of the tail unit.

2. The attachment system according to claim 1 ,

wherein the second bearing surface and the attachment surface comprise a second contact region with a second surface shape, and the second surface shape of the second contact region corresponds to the second surface shape of the attachment surface, such that a form fit connection is provided.

3. The attachment system according to claim 1 ,

wherein the tail unit comprises an inside and an outside,

the first bearing surface is capable of resting against at least one of the inside and the outside of the tail unit.

4. The attachment system according to claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of first connection elements and a plurality of second connection elements,

wherein the tail unit is connected to the first bearing surface using the plurality of first connection elements, and

the attachment surface is connected to the second bearing surface using the plurality of second connection elements.

5. The attachment system according to claim 4 ,

wherein at least one of the first and second connection elements is selected from the group consisting of screw connections, bolt connections, welded connections, adhesive connections, riveted connections and plug-type connections.

6. The attachment system according to claim 1

wherein the first bearing surface comprises a first tooth profile,

the tail unit in the contact region comprises a second tooth profile, and

the second tooth profile of the tail unit is capable of engaging the first tooth profile of the first bearing surface.

7. The attachment system according to claim 1 ,

wherein the second bearing surface comprises a third tooth profile,

the attachment surface in the contact region comprises a fourth tooth profile, and the fourth tooth profile of the attachment surface is capable of engaging the third tooth profile of the second bearing surface.

8. The attachment system according to claim 6 ,

wherein each tooth profile comprises elevations and indentations with flanks, and the flanks of the tooth profiles are capable so as to be at right angles in relation to a direction of transferred forces.

9. The attachment system according to claim 8 ,

wherein compensating media are attached between the flanks of the tooth profiles such that an uniform load distribution results.

10. The attachment system according to claim 9 ,

wherein a material of the compensating media is selected from a group consisting of soft metals and plastics.

11. The attachment system according to claim 1 ,

wherein an attachment surface mounting is inserted between the first bearing surface and the tail unit.

12. The attachment system according to claim 1 ,

wherein an attachment surface mounting is inserted between the second bearing surface and the attachment surface.

13. The attachment system according to claim 1 ,

wherein one of the first bearing surface and the second bearing surface each comprise a slot arrangement.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 31, 2011
From: AIRBUS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
To: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
Reel/Frame 026360/0849 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 18, 2008
From: MAENZ, CHRISTIAN
To: AIRBUS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
Reel/Frame 020665/0265 →