WO2013131640A2

WO2013131640A2 - Method and device for removing and/or installing a fire extinguisher in an airplane

Info

Publication number: WO2013131640A2
Application number: PCT/EP2013/000648
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bilginer Tatar; Thomas Heinrich
Original assignee: Lufthansa Technik Ag
Priority date: 2012-03-09
Filing date: 2013-03-06
Publication date: 2013-09-12
Also published as: WO2013131640A8; DE102012203740B3; WO2013131640A3

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for removing and/or installing a fire extinguisher (1) in an airplane. The method has the following steps: a) transporting multiple individual parts, which can be removably assembled, into the airplane, said multiple individual parts being selected from the group consisting of a receiving element (2), a support (3), an outer support element (4), an inner support element (5), a column element (6), a base (8), a longitudinal support (9), and a transverse support (10), b) assembling the multiple individual parts into a device, and c) removing and/or installing the fire extinguisher (1).

Description

Method and device for removing and / or installing a fire extinguishing container in an aircraft

The invention relates to a method for removing and / or installing a fire extinguishing container in an aircraft and to a corresponding device for removing and / or installing a fire extinguishing container in an aircraft.

The fire extinguishers in aircraft, especially the fire extinguisher in the cargo holds of aircraft, must be removed and installed for maintenance reasons at certain intervals. In the course of maintenance, it may be necessary in particular that the fire extinguisher be removed, weighed and reinstalled.

Since the fire extinguisher can have a high weight of up to 60 kg and also sometimes difficult to reach in depressions of the cargo hold walls are mounted on heights of up to 1.6 m, it is known from prior public use, various crane-like devices for off and Install the fire extinguisher container.

However, these are sometimes very difficult. Known devices have a weight of 95 kg, so that the method for removing and / or installing a .Fer Fire extinguisher necessarily includes that the devices must be transported with special transport vehicles in the cargo holds and operated by several people at the same time.

CONFIRMATION COPY To transport the device in the cargo hold, therefore, must be used at each maintenance special, approved for the aircraft interior cargo space loading wagons, since commercial forklifts may not be used in aircraft cargo holds.

In order to save space during transport, the devices known from the prior art have a folding mechanism. By this folding mechanism, the main boom is erected and fixed after transport of the preassembled device in the cargo space, to which, however, several people are required.

Thus, a common maintenance cycle first involves transporting the device to the aircraft, for example by a forklift, then transporting the device into the cargo hold through a cargo loading cart followed by erecting or unfolding the device by several persons.

As will be further explained later with the aid of FIG. 1, the method for removal then provides that the fire extinguishing container is received in a receiving unit of the device and then a transport via a transport rail to a winch, which is also part of the device. The fire extinguisher can then be drained by the winch and weighed, for example, and replaced if necessary.

For different aircraft types, different devices are provided in each case. That is, to exchange fire extinguishing containers in an aircraft of the type A310, a different device is used than in an aircraft of the Type A330 / 340 or A380. This has the consequence that a plurality of devices must be procured and stored, but only one particular type of device for replacing the fire extinguisher can actually be used.

The invention is thus based on the object to provide a device for removing and / or installation of a fire extinguishing container in an aircraft and a corresponding method for removing and / or installation of a fire extinguishing container in an aircraft, in which the disadvantages described occur less strongly.

The invention achieves the object with the features of the independent claims. Accordingly, a method for removing and / or installing a fire extinguishing container in an aircraft is proposed to solve the problem, wherein the method comprises the following steps: a) transport of several detachable composable items in the aircraft, wherein the plurality of items from the group a receiving element, a carrier, an outer support member, an inner support member, a column member, a foot, a longitudinal beam and a cross member are selected

b) assembling the multiple items into one device,

c) Removal and / or installation of the fire extinguisher container.

To solve the problem, a device for removing and / or installation of a fire extinguishing container in an aircraft is also proposed, wherein the device provided for removal and / or installation of a fire extinguishing container in an aircraft is and comprises a plurality of detachably assemblable items, wherein the plurality of items is selected from the group of a receiving element, a carrier, an outer support member, an inner support member, a column member, a foot, a longitudinal beam and a cross member.

By means of the method according to the invention and the device according to the invention, it is possible to significantly reduce the expenditure for the installation or removal of fire extinguishing containers. As part of the process, the device required for replacement is assembled from individual parts, which can be transported much easier into the aircraft interior, as is the case with the large and relatively bulky device of the prior art. In particular, no special transport vehicle is necessary. The items can be transported in a simple manner, for example in suitcases, in the aircraft interior.

For the purposes of the invention, at least two individual parts are to be understood by a plurality of individual parts. For even a modular design, which provides for two such individual parts, can simplify the process. Preferably, however, the modular construction comprises at least three, more preferably four individual parts, such as the receiving element, the carrier, the pillar element and the foot.

Furthermore, it is preferred if, in addition, the carrier comprises the individual parts of the outer and inner carrier element and the foot comprises the individual parts longitudinal beams and transverse bars. Such a modularized structure leads to individual parts with a comparatively low individual weight, which can be easily transported to the place of use in the aircraft. Preferably, in the course of step c), a height adjustment element is actuated for raising and / or lowering the pickup element, wherein the height adjustment element preferably comprises a handwheel surrounding a thread of the pillar element. The device thus preferably comprises a height adjustment element, which can be designed differently. In a preferred embodiment, it is designed as a handwheel, which surrounds the column element and wherein the height adjustment is realized by means of a thread in the column element and / or handwheel. As an alternative to the handwheel, other screw threads can also be provided which allow height adjustability.

The handwheel can be easily operated by rotation from various positions around the device. By turning the handwheel, it moves up or down the pillar element. The support is adjusted by raising or lowering in accordance with its height, since it is preferably arranged by sliding bushes above and / or below the handwheel on the column member and therefore follows a vertical movement of the handwheel.

Preferably, the device is used for removing and / or installing a fire extinguisher in different aircraft types, wherein for different aircraft pattern a different, adapted to the fire extinguisher of the aircraft pattern receiving element is used. Using the device for different aircraft designs no longer requires a variety of different devices. The complex procurement, storage and insertion of a variety of different devices can be omitted. The receiving element can also be set up so that it is suitable for different types of fire extinguishing containers.

It is thus preferred that the receiving element of the device is exchangeable and it is preferred that different, adapted to the geometry of different fire extinguishing containers receiving elements are provided, wherein a single receiving element is also preferably adapted to accommodate different fire extinguishers of different types of aircraft.

Preferably, the device has at least three vertical pivot axes. These pivot axes of the device make it possible for the fire extinguisher container, which is usually arranged in the wall of the cargo hold, to be easily moved away from the wall in the direction of the freight center. There is no known from the prior art transport rail necessary, but preferably performs the carrier only a pivoting or Einklappbewegung.

For this purpose, it is preferred if the pivot axes between the receiving element and the outer support element, between the outer support member and inner support member and formed on the inner support member column member are formed. This arrangement provides the device with good mobility and also makes use of the modular design according to the invention, since the axes of rotation are located between the individual components to be connected.

Preferably, the outer and the inner support member are assembled in at least two different installation positions, whereby at least two different receiving heights of Device are adjustable. More preferably, the outer and the inner support member are assembled in at least four different installation positions, whereby at least four different receiving heights of the device are adjustable. Due to the different installation options can already be done without the use of the height adjustment a height adjustment of the receiving element to be taken out or to be used fire extinguisher. The various installation positions can be realized for example by the fact that the inner support member can be installed at two different mounting positions and also in an "overhead" installation position is possible.

Preferably, the foot is displaceable on rails, wherein the foot comprises the longitudinal member and the cross member, which in a preferred embodiment are plugged together. The device is preferably at the flanged edge of

Freight rail rails fixed.

Rails are usually arranged in the cargo holds of aircraft in the ground area. The device preferably uses two rails for guiding and fixing, for which purpose clamping elements are preferably arranged on the foot. The longitudinal member and / or the cross member preferably have a clamping element and / or a clamping plate for fixing the foot to the rails.

The longitudinal beam is arranged longitudinally on the rails, whereby it is preferably arranged on the "outer rail" viewed from the cargo compartment center. "Closer to the freight compartment center is the" inner rail "on which the transverse beam rests and with which it preferably forms a right angle , In this case, the cross member is secured or fixed on the inner rail in the vertical direction in order to counteract tipping over of the device. The recording of Löschmittelbehäl age may cause a lever moment, which can be absorbed by the mounting of the cross member on the inner rail. For this purpose, the possibility of movement of the cross member is limited in the vertical direction, so that it can not move according to the torque upwards.

The distance between individual rails is not always the same, but may vary from aircraft type to aircraft type. In order to enable the device to be used in different types of aircraft with different rail spacings, it is preferred that the cross member has a clamping element displaceable on the cross member and / or. or a clamping mat.

In a preferred embodiment, the device comprises a clamping plate for fixing the cross member, wherein the cross member can be pushed through the clamping plate.

The movable clamping element makes it possible to compensate for different distances from rails. It is brought depending on the rail width in the corresponding position on the cross member and fixes it to the inner rail such that the cross member can not move vertically upward. Additionally or alternatively, a low-holder may be provided, which is installed above the cross member in and also prevents upward movement.

The items are designed to reduce weight preferably as aluminum components that can be assembled in the plug-in kit. In the course of the process, the fire extinguisher container is preferably weighed and the weight compared with the corresponding specifications. According to the specifications, the fire extinguisher can then be replaced or replaced.

The invention will be explained below with reference to preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures. Showing:

Fig. 1 is an illustration of a device for off and / or

Installation of a fire extinguishing container in a plane according to the prior art;

Fig. 2 is an isometric view of an inventive

Contraption;

Fig. 3 is a side view of a device according to the invention;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the device of Fig. 3;

Figure 5 is a side view of a device according to the invention with another receiving element.

Fig. 6 different assembly options of inner and outer support;

Fig. 7 is an isometric view of a receiving element with

Fire extinguisher container.

In Fig. 1 is an illustration of a device for removal and / or installation of a fire extinguisher 1 in an aircraft represented according to the prior art. The fire extinguisher container

1 may contain, for example, halons or other fire-extinguishing agents.

It is removed by means of an on immeeinheit 2 from its installed position, which is located for example in the cargo compartment wall of a commercial aircraft.

After removal of the fire extinguisher 1 is moved via a transport rail on a support 3.

After transport via the transport rail of the fire extinguisher 1 can be lowered via a winch and weighed, for example. For this purpose, it must be installed in the boom of the winch and by means of the winch from the receiving unit

2 are lifted out. Subsequently, the boom can be moved away in a pivoting movement of the carrier 3 and discharged via a height adjustment element 7. This procedure is cumbersome and error-prone and may also require multiple people.

The device has a foot 8 which is mounted on two rails. The installation position of the fire extinguishing container 1 facing rail is referred to as the outer rail 12, the mounting position facing away rail as the inner rail 11th

The device of Fig. 1 has a number of disadvantages already described. In particular, it can be used only for certain types of aircraft due to different track distances and differently designed fire extinguisher 1. It is also very heavy and must be transported in the cargo hold with special transport vehicles. Fig. 2 shows a device according to the invention, which is also arranged on an inner and an outer rail 11, 12. The foot 8 of the device comprises a cross member 10 and a longitudinal member 9, wherein the cross member 10 is mounted on a corresponding attachment in the middle of the longitudinal member 9. The longitudinal member 9 is positioned by plastic pads, not shown, which are arranged around the flanged edge of the outer rail 11.

Via clamping elements 13, the longitudinal member 9 can be fixed on the outer rail 12. The clamping elements 13 can press the Kunststoffklotze laterally to the flanged edge. On the cross member 10, a clamping plate 14 is attached, which in turn is fixable on the inner rail 11.

On the foot 8, the column member 6 is placed. The column member 6 has a height adjustment element 7, which is designed here as a handwheel. The handwheel surrounds a thread of the column member 6 and can be adjusted by a rotation in its height.

Above and below the hand wheel slide bushes 22 are arranged, which are each connected to the inner support member 5. The inner carrier element 5 is connected to the outer carrier element 4 and together with it forms the carrier 3.

On the outer support member 4, the receiving element 2 is arranged, in which a fire extinguishing container 1 is located. The joint between receiving element 2 and outer support member 4 is a pivotable axis, wherein the axis is vertically aligned. Likewise, the link between external Rem support element 4 and inner support member 5 a pivoting movement about a vertical axis.

A third vertical axis forms the inner support element 5 around the pillar element 6. These three pivot axes 23 make it possible to easily move the multi-articulated fire extinguisher in the direction away from the installation position, for which the device of the prior art, a special

Sliding rail provides.

By the height adjustment element 7, the fire extinguisher 1 can then be lowered together with the carrier 3. Subsequently, the fire extinguisher 1 can be lifted, for example, for weighing with a support rod of the pickup element 2.

The device or the receiving element 2 is suitable for example for receiving fire extinguishing containers 1 in aircraft A310 and A330 / 340. The receiving element 2 is exchangeable, so that it can be exchanged, for example, against the receiving element 2 described in the following from FIG. 7.

In Fig. 3, a device according to the invention is also shown. In addition to the device of FIG. 2, this device has a holding-down device 15. The hold-down 15 is arranged above the cross member 10, it is oriented along the inner rail 11, not shown, on which it is preferably fixed for the duration of the method. The fixing takes place via a plurality of clamping elements 13, which are arranged on the hold-15. By receiving the fire extinguishing container 1 creates a torque which is absorbed via the hold-15. Thus, the hold-down 15 secures the device from tipping over. Via a threaded rod 16 arranged on the cross member 10, the height or alignment of the cross member 10 can be adjusted such that no gap remains between the cross member 10 and the downholder 15, which could lead to a wobbling of the device.

FIG. 4 shows a top view of the device from FIG. 3. The longitudinal member 9 has four clamping elements 13, via which the device can be secured on the outer rail 12, not shown. In addition, further threaded rods 16 are arranged on the longitudinal member 9, with which also the longitudinal member 9 can be adjusted in its height or orientation, so that it is securely fixed during the process. The threaded rods 16 can adjust the Kunststoffklotze and pressed against the lower flanged edge.

Fig. 5 also shows a device according to the invention. The device is provided here with a differently designed receiving element 2, which is particularly suitable for receiving fire extinguishing containers 1 in the aircraft type A380.

Fig. 6 shows various possibilities of assembly of the outer and inner support member 4,5. The outer support member 4 can be installed in different high installation positions. In addition, it can also be connected in an "overhead" position with the inner support element 5. Despite these different installation positions, the two individual parts are always connected so that a vertical pivot axis 23 results. Fig. 7 shows a receiving element 2. The receiving element serves to receive the fire extinguishing container 1. For this purpose, it has a receiving fork 17, a holding plate 18 and a webbing 20. The fire extinguisher 1 is located on a contact surface 19, which may be formed for example as a rubber surface.

About the webbing 20 and different eyelets, the fire extinguisher 1 can be stored and transported safely in the receiving element 2.

List of reference numbers:

1 fire extinguisher container

2 On ermelernernent

3 carriers

4 outer support element

5 inner support element

6 column element

7 height adjustment element

8 feet

9 side members

10 cross members

11 inner rail

12 outer rail

13 clamping element

14 clamping plate

15 hold-downs

16 threaded rod

17 pick-up fork

18 holding plate

19 contact surface

20 webbing

22 sliding bushes

23 swivel axes

Claims

Claims :

A method for removing and / or installing a fire extinguishing container (1) in an aircraft, characterized in that the method comprises the following steps: a) transporting a plurality of detachably composable items into the aircraft, wherein the plurality of items from the group a receiving element (2), a support (3), an outer support element (4), an inner support element (5), a pillar element (6), a foot (8), a longitudinal member (9) and a cross member (10) b) assembling the several parts into one device,

c) removal and / or installation of the fire extinguisher container (1).

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that in the course of step c) a height adjustment element (7) for raising and / or lowering of the receiving element (2) is actuated, wherein the height adjustment element (7) preferably a thread of the column member (6 ) surrounding handwheel.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the device for removal and / or installation of a fire extinguisher (1) is used in various aircraft types, wherein for different aircraft pattern a different, to the fire extinguisher (1) of the aircraft pattern adapted receiving element (2) is used.

4. A device for removing and / or installing a fire extinguishing container (1) in an aircraft, characterized in that the device for removing and / or installation of a fire extinguishing container (1) is provided in an aircraft and comprises a plurality of detachably assembled items, wherein the multiple items from the group of a receiving element

(2), a support (3), an outer support member (4), an inner support member (5), a pillar member (6), a foot (8), a side rail (9) and a cross member

(10) are selected.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the receiving element (2) is exchangeable.

6. Apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the device has at least three vertical pivot axes (23).

7. Device according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the pivot axes (23) between the receiving element (2) and outer support member (4), between the outer support member (4) and inner support member (5) and to the inner support member (5) arranged column element (6) are formed.

8. Device according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that different, to the geometry of different fire extinguishing containers (1) adapted receiving elements (2) are provided.

9. Device according to one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the device comprises a designed as a handwheel height adjustment element (7), which is a Ge surrounds winch of the column member (6) and by the operation of the Aufnähmeelernent (2) can be raised and / or lowered.

10. Device according to one of claims 4 to 9, characterized in that the outer and the inner support member (4,5) are assembled in at least two different installation positions and thereby at least two different receiving heights of the device are adjustable.

11. Device according to one of claims 4 to 10, characterized in that the outer and the inner support member (4,5) are assembled in at least four different installation positions and thereby at least four different receiving heights of the device are adjustable.

12. Device according to one of claims 4 to 11, characterized in that the foot (8) is displaceable on rails, wherein the foot (8) comprises the longitudinal member (9) and the cross member (10), which are plugged into one another.

13. Device according to one of claims 4 to 12, characterized in that the device comprises a on the cross member (10) displaceable clamping element (13) and / or clamping plate (14).

14. The device according to claims 13, characterized in that the device comprises a clamping plate (14) for fixing the cross member, wherein the cross member (10) through the clamping plate (14) is push-through.