Asymmetric Wing Fold Hinges for Compact Stowage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft with long wing spans and high aspect ratios face challenges in achieving compact stowage due to the limitations of symmetric wing folding systems, which result in a large on-ground stowage footprint and height penalties when folding.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of asymmetric left and right wing fold hinge assemblies, where at least one hinge is oriented at an angle of two degrees or more with respect to the aircraft centerplane, allowing wing tips to fold over the centerplane and achieving greater compactness by varying the hinge distances and fold line orientations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If symmetric wing folding systems with parallel hinges are used, then engineering and manufacturing simplicity is improved, but stowage footprint is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by configuring the left and right wing fold hinge assemblies with different orientations relative to the aircraft centerline. Specifically, the right wing hinge is oriented at an angle of 5-15 degrees from the perpendicular to the centerline, while the left wing hinge is oriented at an angle of 5-15 degrees from the perpendicular in the opposite direction. This asymmetric configuration allows the wing tips to fold closer together, reducing the stowage footprint by up to one-third compared to symmetric folding systems, while maintaining engineering simplicity through the use of standard hinge mechanisms.
2Productivity
If wing span is increased to improve aerodynamic efficiency, then lift generation is improved, but storage and accommodation difficulty is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing each wing into multiple sections using fold hinge assemblies. The right wing is divided into a right inboard portion and a right outboard portion, while the left wing is divided into a left inboard portion and a left outboard portion. This segmentation allows the wings to be folded into a compact configuration for storage and accommodation, reducing the stowage footprint by up to one-third, while maintaining the full wing span for aerodynamic efficiency during flight.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional parallel hinge folding is used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but wing tip proximity in folded configuration is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by configuring the left and right wing fold hinge assemblies with different orientations relative to the aircraft centerline. The right wing hinge is oriented at an angle of 5-15 degrees from the perpendicular to the centerline, while the left wing hinge is oriented at an angle of 5-15 degrees from the perpendicular in the opposite direction. This asymmetric configuration allows the wing tips to fold closer together, reducing the distance between wing tips in the folded configuration, while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through the use of standard hinge mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft wing is equipped with asymmetric wing folding hinges to achieve a highly compact folded footprint. One or more of the hinges is advantageously placed at angle with respect to an aircraft centerplane such that the wing tips can fold over the centerplane without touching each other. Preferred aircraft have hinge angles that differ by several degrees such that one wing tip lies in front of the other in a folded configuration. Other asymmetries such as asymmetric hinge placement and asymmetric hinge seam length can be used concomitantly to enhance the compactness of the folded aircraft. Special application to wide span aircraft, high aspect ratio aircraft, and flying wing aircraft is contemplated.