Michael Joseph Schramm

US Patent:

58102876, Sep 22, 1998

Filed:

May 24, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/652965

Inventors:

Brian J. O'Boyle - Tacoma WA
Eric E. Adamson - Newcastle WA
Michael R. Schramm - Pacific WA

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Seattle WA

International Classification:

B64C 332

US Classification:

244 54

Abstract:

An improvement of a vertical fin (18) attached to a pylon strut (14) that is cantilevered from a wing rear spar (16) of a supersonic aircraft (9), the improved pylon (10) for mounting heavy assemblies such as an engine (8) to an aircraft wing (12). The fin (18) is a thin, elongate member having a ratio of fin height (36) to fin width (38) of about between 3:1 to 5:1. The ratio of fin length(34) to fin width (38) is preferably equal to or greater than 30:1. The fin at its lower surface (24) is attached to an upper surface (20) of the strut (14). The fin (18) preferably extends forward over a portion of the upper surface (22) of the wing (12) and is additionally attached thereto. One embodiment of a fin construction includes a U-shaped lower channel (40), an inverted U-shaped upper channel (42), a pair of substantially parallel upright sidewalls (32), an arcuate upper closeout member (46), and aerodynamic seals 48 as required. The area defined by the upright sidewalls (32) and the lower and upper channels (40), (42) is filled by a partitioned middle material (44), such as honeycomb core.