Aircraft Slat Triple-Pivot Mechanism for Thin-Wing Rollback
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Solution Overview
Problem
In thin aircraft wings, slat mechanisms deflect and twist out of the desired deployed position due to actuator location, slat flexibility, and mechanism stiffness, leading to undesirable low-speed performance.
Innovation Solution
A triple pivot configuration is introduced, separating the actuator-to-slat attachment and locating the slat pivot axis further forward, with a third rotational joint, to maintain actuator integration in the thicker part of the leading-edge cove.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional slat mechanism is used in thin wings, then the slat can be actuated, but the slat deflects and twists out of the desired deployed position due to actuator location, slat flexibility, and mechanism stiffness
Solution Approach 1:
The slat mechanism is divided into multiple independent support structures (primary support, auxiliary support, actuator support) each performing a specific function. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, with the primary support providing positional stability, the auxiliary support preventing deflection, and the actuator support enabling actuation, thereby resolving the contradiction between positioning accuracy and mechanism complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary support acts as an intermediary element between the primary support and the slat. It specifically addresses the deflection and twisting issues by providing additional structural support without directly interfering with the actuation mechanism, thus improving positioning accuracy while maintaining actuator integration
2Ease of manufacture
If the actuator is integrated in the thicker part of the leading-edge cove, then actuator integration is maintained, but the slat pivot axis location causes rollback issues in thin wings
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanism transitions from a conventional two-dimensional planar arrangement to a three-dimensional configuration with multiple support structures at different spatial locations. The primary support, auxiliary support, and actuator support are positioned at different depths and locations, allowing the actuator to remain integrated in the thicker leading-edge cove while the auxiliary support prevents rollback by providing support from a different spatial dimension
Data Source
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AI summary
A system (100) for driving a slat (1230) of an aircraft wing (1220) includes a primary support (102), an auxiliary support (104), an actuator support (106), and an actuator (108). The primary support (102) is rotationally coupled to the slat (1230) at a forward slat revolute joint (122) for moving the slat (1230) between a retracted position and one or more extended positions. The auxiliary support (104) is coupled to the slat (1230) for pivoting the slat about the forward slat revolute joint (122) when the slat (1230) moves between the retracted position and the one or more extended positions. The actuator support (106) is coupled to the slat (1230). The actuator (108) is coupled to the actuator support (106) at an aft slat revolute joint (124) for driving the slat (1230) between the retracted position and the one or more extended positions.