Adaptive Actuation Profiles for Moveable Wing Tip Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing actuation systems for movable wing tip devices on aircraft are not optimized to minimize wear and size, particularly when transitioning between flight and ground configurations, leading to potential structural loads and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A method of actuating the wing tip device based on tailored actuation profiles that consider various conditions such as location, speed, and load, allowing for controlled movement over time and speed to reduce wear and potentially reduce the size of the actuation assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional actuation system is used to move the wing tip device between flight and ground configurations, then the wing tip device can be actuated, but the actuation assembly experiences high wear and requires larger size to handle aerodynamic loads
Solution Approach 1:
The system determines an actuation profile in advance based on aircraft conditions (speed, location, load) before actuation occurs. This preliminary planning allows the actuation to be optimized to minimize wear from the outset, rather than reacting to wear after it occurs. The controller selects from multiple pre-defined actuation profiles depending on the current flight condition.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuation profile is made dynamic and adaptive rather than fixed. The system can select different actuation profiles based on changing flight conditions (aircraft speed, location relative to gate limits, aerodynamic load). This dynamic adaptation allows the actuation parameters to be optimized for each specific condition, minimizing wear while still achieving the required configuration change.
2Productivity
If the wing tip device is actuated quickly to reach ground configuration, then airport clearance limits are met, but the actuation assembly experiences increased wear and load
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation profile changes key parameters including the time period over which actuation occurs and the speed profile of movement. By adjusting these parameters based on flight conditions, the system can extend the actuation time period and reduce actuation speed when conditions permit, thereby reducing wear and load on the actuation assembly while still meeting airport clearance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller determines the optimal actuation profile in advance based on predicted flight conditions (such as whether the aircraft will reach gate limits). This preliminary determination allows the system to plan a gentler, more wear-minimizing actuation sequence when there is sufficient time and distance available, rather than defaulting to rapid actuation.
3Reliability
If the actuation assembly is made larger to handle aerodynamic loads, then the wing tip device can be actuated reliably, but the size and weight of the actuation assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
By determining the actuation profile in advance based on flight conditions, the system can plan actuation sequences that minimize peak loads on the actuation assembly. This preliminary planning allows for more efficient use of the actuation system's capacity, enabling smaller, lighter actuators to handle the loads reliably without requiring excessive size margins.
Solution Approach 2:
The adaptive actuation profile allows the system to optimize actuation parameters for each flight condition, distributing loads more evenly and avoiding peak stress conditions. This dynamic optimization enables the use of smaller, lighter actuation components that can handle the variable loads reliably without requiring the oversized components that would be needed for a fixed, conservative design.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of actuating a wing tip device on an aircraft, from a flight configuration to a ground configuration in which the span is reduced. The method includes receiving data indicative of a condition, such as the location or speed of the aircraft, and determining an actuation profile in dependence on the condition. The actuation profile may include determining a time period, and/or speed profile of the wing tip actuation over that time period. In this manner the actuation of the wing tip device can be tailored to minimize loads and wear on the actuator assembly.