Aircraft Air Intake Joining Structure for Laminar Flow Continuity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft air intakes experience increased drag and energy consumption due to link elements disrupting the laminar flow of external air, which are necessary for assembly but disrupt the aerodynamic continuity.
Innovation Solution
The air intake design eliminates direct link elements between the front frame and lip, using joining elements to maintain laminar flow continuity, and incorporates a rigid box structure with link systems to ensure stability and assembly integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If link elements are used to connect the front frame to the lip, then assembly integrity is ensured, but laminar flow continuity is disrupted causing increased drag
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the harmful link elements from the external air flow path by connecting the front frame directly to the lip without intermediate link elements on the external face. This extraction eliminates the source of flow disruption while maintaining structural connectivity through internal positioning of connection elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary approach by positioning link elements on the internal face rather than the external face, using the lip thickness itself as the mediator. This allows connection functionality to be preserved while the external surface remains smooth and aerodynamic.
2Stability of the object's composition
If link elements are positioned flush with the lip surface, then assembly stability is achieved, but aerodynamic continuity is broken
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful effect of protruding link elements is eliminated by extracting them from the external surface position and relocating them to the internal surface, removing the source of aerodynamic disturbances while preserving their structural function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions the link element positioning from the external dimension (affecting aerodynamics) to the internal dimension (affecting only structural integrity), effectively moving the problem to a different spatial dimension where it no longer impacts airflow.
3Reliability
If multiple link elements are distributed over the circumference, then structural reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the connection function into discrete link elements positioned at specific locations on the internal face, allowing for standardized manufacturing of individual elements while achieving distributed structural reliability through strategic placement rather than continuous coverage.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design maintains laminar airflow over a greater length, reducing drag and energy consumption while simplifying assembly and enhancing structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
The air intake comprises a lip which comprises a leading edge, an outer rear edge and an inner rear edge, an internal panel which comprises a front edge linked to the inner rear edge of the lip and a rear edge, a front frame which comprises a front peripheral outer edge and a front peripheral inner edge linked to the lip and/or to the internal panel, a rear frame which comprises a rear peripheral outer edge, directly or indirectly linked to the outer rear edge of the lip and a rear peripheral inner edge linked to the rear edge of the internal panel. The invention comprises at least one joining element linking the front and rear peripheral outer edges of the front frame and of the rear frame.
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft air intake comprising a lip, an internal panel which comprises a front edge linked to the lip, a front frame which comprises an outer edge and an inner edge linked to the lip and/or to the internal panel, a rear frame which comprises an outer edge, directly or indirectly linked to the lip and an inner edge linked to the rear edge of the internal panel, and at least one joining element linking the outer edges of the front frame and of the rear frame.