Aircraft Aerodynamic Coupling With Auxiliary Load Path Fail-Safe
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aerodynamic systems for aircraft fail to ensure fail-safe operation under decoupling events in coupling units, leading to potential loss of load transfer capability and increased risk of mechanical failure.
Innovation Solution
An aerodynamic system with an auxiliary coupling unit that passively or actively establishes a secondary load path upon detection of a decoupling event in primary coupling units, ensuring continued load transfer and stability through a sleeping failsafe design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single coupling unit is used to connect the aerodynamic component to the support structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates because decoupling events can inhibit load transfer and lead to instability
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling system is divided into multiple independent coupling units (first coupling unit, second coupling unit, and auxiliary coupling unit) that can operate independently. Each coupling unit has its own actuator and load transfer path, so that if one unit experiences a decoupling event, the other units can maintain load transfer capability and system stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary coupling unit is designed as a backup system that activates when a decoupling event occurs in the primary coupling units. This redundant coupling unit provides a pre-established alternative load transfer path, cushioning against the reliability loss that would otherwise occur during decoupling events.
2Reliability
If multiple coupling units are used to ensure fail-safe characteristics, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional actuators and coupling mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary coupling unit is designed with multi-functionality, serving as a backup load transfer path that activates only when needed. During normal operation, it remains inactive to minimize complexity impact, but can take over load transfer functions when a decoupling event occurs in the primary coupling units.
Solution Approach 2:
The redundant auxiliary coupling unit provides a pre-established safety mechanism that activates upon decoupling events. This beforehand cushioning approach ensures that the system maintains operational reliability without requiring continuous complex coordination between multiple active coupling units.
3Strength
If coupling units are designed for strong load transfer capability, then the strength is improved, but the device complexity increases due to robust actuator and linkage mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The load transfer function is segmented across multiple coupling units, allowing each unit to be optimized for strength while distributing the overall system complexity. The auxiliary coupling unit provides additional load transfer capacity without requiring the entire system to be over-engineered for maximum strength scenarios.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to an aerodynamic system (1) comprising a support structure (10) and an aerodynamic component (20) movably coupled to the support structure via first and second coupling units (31, 32) such that the aerodynamic component (20) can be moved relative to the support structure (10). The first and second coupling units (31, 32) can transfer a load from the aerodynamic component (20) to the support structure (10). The system (1) further comprises an auxiliary coupling unit (40) coupled between the aerodynamic component (20) and the support structure (10), and configured to switch from a decoupling state (41) to a coupling state (42), wherein, in the decoupling state (41), a load transfer via the at least one auxiliary coupling unit (40) is prevented, and wherein, in the coupling state (42), a load transfer via the at least one auxiliary coupling unit (40) is enabled.