FIELD OF INVENTION

The present general inventive concept relates to an aircraft engine adapter system for retrofitting aircraft engines from one aircraft to another.

BACKGROUND

Example embodiments of the present general inventive concept can provide an engine mount adapter assembly for use with an aircraft. As shown in the accompanying illustrations, drawings, and images, the engine mount adapter assembly is attached to brackets, which are affixed to a skeletal framework comprising of multiple tubular members joined together. A ring member adapter can be attached to the brackets on the skeletal framework, and mounting brackets are attached to the ring member adapter. In this way, the engine mount adapter assembly can function as an adapter to retrofit aircraft engines with either three mount attachment points or four or more mount attachment points. Embodiments of the present general inventive concept can be applied to retrofit any and all PT-6 series engines (e.g., T34, T65, and others) to any S2R type airplanes, although the embodiments are not limited to any particular type of engine or airplane.

Additional features and embodiments of the present general inventive concept will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the present general inventive concept.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Example embodiments of the present general inventive concept can be achieved by providing a system for retrofitting an aircraft engine to an aircraft including a circular member having a diametrical surface to receive an aircraft engine of a first aircraft, a plurality of longitudinal members each having a first end and a second end, means for securely attaching the first ends in a circumferentially spaced apart manner to the diametrical surface such that the second ends extend transversely from the circular member in a first direction, means for securely attaching the second ends to an inner portion of a second aircraft, wherein shape and size of the inner portion of the second aircraft is different than shape and size of a corresponding inner portion of the first aircraft, means for securely attaching a rear end of the aircraft engine to the diametrical surface such that a front end of the aircraft engine extends transversely from the diametrical surface opposite the first direction such that the aircraft engine of the first aircraft is securely mounted to the second aircraft suitable for approved flight.

The system can include means for retrofitting electrical, control, and fuel line connections of the second aircraft to mate the aircraft engine of the first aircraft.

Example embodiments of the present general inventive concept can also be achieved by providing an engine adapter for an aircraft, which adapts to a skeletal framework configured to support an aircraft engine of a first aircraft, one or more rear stiffeners attached to a rear end of the skeletal framework, one or more forward stiffeners attached to the front end of the skeletal framework, wherein the skeletal framework is configured for installation to a second aircraft to retrofit the engine of the first aircraft to the second aircraft, and the skeletal framework comprises multiple tubular members joined to the forward stiffeners at the front end of the skeletal framework and joined to the rear stiffeners at the rear end of the skeletal framework, and wherein the forward stiffeners attach to a ring member at the front end of the skeletal framework.

Further embodiments can provide methods of adapting an engine to an aircraft, comprising providing a skeletal framework including multiple tubular members configured to support an aircraft engine of a first aircraft, providing one or more rear stiffeners attached to a rear end of the skeletal framework, providing one or more forward stiffeners attached to the front end of the skeletal framework and to the fuselage of the aircraft, and wherein the skeletal framework is configured for installation to a second aircraft to retrofit the engine of the first aircraft to the second.

