Bridging Seal for Aircraft Spoiler Gap Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for attaching spoilers to aircraft wings, such as using notches in structural ribs or cut-out sections, lead to increased stress concentrations, weight penalties, and aerodynamic inefficiencies due to gaps and discontinuities in the aerodynamic surface, which affect flap performance and create drag and noise.
Innovation Solution
A bridging seal comprising multiple layers of elastomer with unbonded opposing surfaces and fasteners at the edges, allowing for flexibility and attachment to aerodynamic surfaces to seal gaps and maintain a continuous aerodynamic profile during spoiler deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If notches are provided in structural ribs to accommodate deployed spoilers, then clashing between spoilers and ribs is prevented, but stress concentrations increase and weight penalty occurs
Solution Approach 1:
A bridging seal comprising multiple layers of elastomer is introduced as an intermediary component between the spoiler and the shroud panel. This seal fills the gap created by the cut-out section, preventing air flow discontinuities and drag, while allowing the spoiler to deploy fully without clashing with the rib structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The bridging seal is constructed from multiple layers of flexible elastomer material that can deform and accommodate the movement of the spoiler during deployment. The flexible nature of the elastomer allows it to maintain sealing contact while permitting the full range of motion required for spoiler operation.
2Ease of operation
If cut-out sections are provided in leading edges of spoilers to prevent clashing with ribs, then deployment is enabled, but aerodynamic efficiency decreases due to drag and noise
Solution Approach 1:
The bridging seal acts as an intermediary that fills the aerodynamic gap created by the cut-out section in the spoiler leading edge. This seal restores continuity to the aerodynamic surface, eliminating drag and noise caused by air flow discontinuities while permitting the spoiler to achieve its full deployment range.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric material properties of the bridging seal are specifically selected to provide the right balance between flexibility (allowing spoiler movement) and aerodynamic sealing (reducing drag). The material parameters are optimized to maintain sealing effectiveness across the full range of spoiler positions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple layers of elastomer are stacked with unbonded opposing surfaces, then flexibility and adaptability are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bridging seal is segmented into multiple discrete layers of elastomer stacked one on top of the other. Each layer can move independently relative to the others, providing enhanced flexibility and adaptability to accommodate spoiler movement. The segmentation allows the seal to deform more easily while maintaining its sealing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The bridging seal utilizes a composite structure of multiple elastomeric layers bonded at edges but with unbonded opposing surfaces. This composite construction combines the advantages of multiple material layers (flexibility, damping, adaptability) while maintaining relative simplicity through edge bonding only, rather than full bonding of all surfaces.
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
The bridging seal effectively seals gaps between spoilers and shroud panels, reducing drag and noise, allowing full spoiler deployment without stress concentrations, and maintaining aerodynamic efficiency across various positions.
Implementation Method 1
two or more layers of elastomer stacked one on top of the other
Implementation Method 2
a substantial portion of the opposing surfaces is unbonded
Data Source
AI summary
A bridging seal comprising a stack of two or more layers of elastomer, the bridging seal having a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge, adjacent layers being attached to each other at the first and second edges, wherein adjacent layers of the bridging seal have opposing surfaces and a substantial portion of the opposing surfaces is unbonded. The bridging seal may be used to seal a gap between two aerodynamic surfaces on an aircraft.