Asymmetric Airfoil Rudder Gap Layout for Higher Control Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
The aerodynamic maneuvering efficiency of a rudder surface in modern airplanes, particularly those with blended wing body layouts, is compromised by high rudder deflection angles, leading to decreased control efficiency, and existing solutions introduce additional loads or require external devices.
Innovation Solution
Transforming a symmetric airfoil rudder surface into an asymmetric airfoil surface and misaligning it with the main wing to create a gap, utilizing the gap to manage airflow and enhance control efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the rudder deflection angle is increased to improve maneuvering performance, then the aerodynamic maneuvering moment is enhanced, but the control efficiency of the rudder surface decreases dramatically
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the traditional symmetric airfoil rudder surface into an asymmetric airfoil configuration. The asymmetric shape creates different flow characteristics on the upper and lower surfaces, generating a larger pitching moment coefficient. This asymmetry allows the rudder to produce enhanced aerodynamic maneuvering moment while maintaining better flow attachment and control efficiency at high deflection angles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the geometric parameters of the rudder surface by introducing an asymmetric airfoil profile with specific camber distribution and thickness characteristics. These parameter changes optimize the flow field distribution, enabling the rudder to maintain effective control authority even at large deflection angles where traditional symmetric designs would experience severe flow separation and efficiency loss.
2Productivity
If disturbing sheets or blowing devices are added to the leading edge to improve rudder surface efficiency, then the aerodynamic characteristics are enhanced, but additional load is imposed on the airplane
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for additional disturbing sheets or blowing devices by incorporating the flow control function directly into the asymmetric airfoil geometry of the rudder surface itself. This integration removes the extra components and their associated weights, while the asymmetric shape inherently provides the necessary flow manipulation to maintain high rudder surface efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the structural form and aerodynamic function by designing the asymmetric airfoil profile to simultaneously serve as both the rudder surface structure and the flow control mechanism. The asymmetric geometry itself generates the beneficial flow characteristics, combining what were previously separate functions (structural support and flow manipulation) into a single integrated design, thereby eliminating additional loads.
3Productivity
If the rudder surface is misaligned with the main wing to form a gap, then the control efficiency is improved through gap effect, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the misalignment between the asymmetric rudder surface and the main wing to create a gap that exploits asymmetric flow effects. The gap allows high-energy flow from beneath the wing to interact with the separated flow on the upper rudder surface, enhancing control efficiency. The asymmetric configuration optimizes this gap effect, making the most of the available flow interaction while maintaining a relatively simple structural arrangement.
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
Significantly improves rudder surface control efficiency by up to 80% without additional loads or power requirements, leveraging the airplane's own components.
Implementation Method 1
by mounting the asymmetric airfoil rudder surface and a main wing in a misaligned manner to form a gap, a gap effect is utilized to interfere with a flow on an upper wing surface of the rudder surface
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a wing and a method for improving a control efficiency of a two-dimensional (2D) airfoil rudder surface. A technical solution is realized by changing an original symmetric airfoil rudder surface into an asymmetric airfoil rudder surface, mounting the asymmetric airfoil rudder surface and a main wing in a misaligned manner to form a gap, and utilizing a gap effect to interfere with a flow on an upper wing surface of the rudder surface, allowing the rudder surface to generate a larger moment, thereby improving a control efficiency of a 2D airfoil rudder surface. According to the present disclosure, a rudder surface control efficiency is greatly improved by simple structural optimization; a pilot is easy to perform operations in a control process; and a control device can utilize an airplane's own components, without introducing large power energy and other driving equipment, no additional load on the airplane.