Design of a Cargo Pod for a Pilatus PC-12
Loading...
Date
2014-12-01
Authors
Smith, Graeme
Musyoka, Mumo
Lee, Thomas
Yamamoto, Hiroku
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Our client has requested that we formulate the design of a cargo pod intended to be attached to the belly of a Pilatus PC-12 that must fit four hard shell golf bags, per their customer’s specification. The pod must have a door on the right side which not only allows for easy loading and unloading of cargo but, must also be removable to allow for attachment of the pod to the aircraft. The chosen design employs a carbon fiber laminate sandwich structure pod outer shell reinforced with aluminum ribs along its length. The door is an identical carbon fiber laminate sandwich structure reinforced with aluminum ribs in an identical manner. Attached to the door is three latches to hold the door closed, four hinge assemblies to actuate the door, a door jamb allowing for a sealant bead to run along its periphery, and an aluminum channel running along the contact point between the door and the pod’s outer shell.
The total cost for this design is $30321.10, well within our budget of $150000 – however by request this total does not include required investments in tooling nor does it attempt to address FAA licensing costs. The pod’s weight is 171.4lb, exceeding the suggested maximum of 150lb. Panel deflections are well under an inch in magnitude and a typical safety factor for all components when used as designed is 2.
The attachment mechanism proposed have a generous safety factor of 38 to account for vibration, and eccentric loading, while weighing in at approximate 1.3lb.