US 12,337,976 B2
Systems and methods for coupling a strut to a wing of an aircraft
Druh Palma, Mill Creek, WA (US); Donald T. Powell, Everett, WA (US); and William M. Sampedro-Thompson, Mill Creek, WA (US)
Assigned to The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US)
Filed by THE BOEING COMPANY, Chicago, IL (US)
Filed on Nov. 2, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/979,060.
Prior Publication US 2024/0140610 A1, May 2, 2024
Int. Cl. B64D 27/40 (2024.01)
CPC B64D 27/40 (2024.01) [B64D 27/402 (2024.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An aircraft comprising:
a fuselage;
a wing extending from the fuselage, wherein the wing comprises a front spar and one or more ribs;
a strut, wherein a rear surface of the strut is linearly aligned with a front surface of the front spar;
an engine secured to the strut and positioned distally from the wing; and
a coupling system securing the strut to the wing, the coupling system comprising:
splice straps that secure the strut to the wing, wherein the splice straps are integrally formed with the strut and the wing, wherein the splice straps secure to both the strut and the one or more ribs, and wherein the splice straps are vertically and longitudinally aligned with the strut and the one or more ribs,
wherein the splice straps comprise:
upper splice straps comprising a first upper splice strap, a second upper splice strap, and a third upper splice strap between the first upper splice strap and the second upper splice strap, wherein the first upper splice strap extends over a first top surface of a rear end of the strut and a second top surface of a front end of a first rib of the one or more ribs, and the second upper splice strap extends over the first top surface of the rear end of the strut and a second top surface of a front end of a second rib of the one or more ribs; and
lower splice straps comprising a first lower splice strap, a second lower splice strap, and a third lower splice strap between the first lower splice strap and the second lower splice strap, wherein the first lower splice strap extends over a first bottom surface of the rear end of the strut and a second bottom surface of the front end of the first rib of the one or more ribs, and the second lower splice strap extends over the first bottom surface of the rear end of the strut and a second bottom surface of the front end of the second rib of the one or more ribs; and
an upper mounting plate spanning over the strut and the wing, wherein the upper mounting plate provides a base on which the first upper splice strap, the second upper splice strap, and the third upper splice strap securely mount to the strut and the wing, wherein the first upper splice strap is secured directly over the first rib, and wherein the second upper splice strap is secured directly over the second rib; and
a lower mounting plate spanning below the strut and the wing, wherein the lower mounting plate provides a base on which the first lower splice strap, the second lower splice strap, and the third lower splice strap securely mount to the strut and the wing, wherein the first lower splice strap is secured directly under the first rib, and wherein the second lower splice strap is secured directly under the second rib.