Closure Fairing for Wing Slat Track Aerodynamic Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The deployment of wing leading edge slats on aircraft creates a cut-out opening in the wing skin, which can negatively impact aerodynamic performance by exposing airflow, necessitating a solution to minimize these adverse effects.
Innovation Solution
A fixed closure fairing is positioned on the wing leading edge to cover the cut-out opening, featuring a U-shaped structure with convex and concave curved surfaces that guide airflow from the lower to the upper wing surface, ensuring smooth movement of the slat track between retracted and deployed positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a cut-out opening is provided in the wing leading edge skin for slat track movement, then the slat track can be deployed between retracted and deployed conditions, but the cut-out opening exposes incident airflow and negatively impacts aerodynamic performance
Solution Approach 1:
A closure fairing is introduced as an intermediary component between the wing leading edge skin and the slat track. The fairing includes a U-shaped opening that accommodates the slat track while its outer surface closes the cut-out opening, thereby mediating between the need for track movement and the need to prevent airflow exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The slat track is nested within the U-shaped opening of the closure fairing. The fairing structure contains the slat track while maintaining a smooth external surface, allowing the track to move within the protected space without exposing the cut-out opening to incident airflow.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the closure fairing covers the cut-out opening, then aerodynamic performance is improved, but the slat track movement space must be precisely accommodated
Solution Approach 1:
The closure fairing is divided into distinct functional regions: a U-shaped opening portion that accommodates the slat track and a closure surface portion that seals the cut-out opening. This segmentation allows each region to be optimized independently for its specific function while maintaining overall integration.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the closure fairing have different geometric properties tailored to local requirements. The U-shaped opening provides the necessary clearance and guidance for slat track movement, while the outer surface provides a smooth aerodynamic contour. The base region may include convex or concave curved surfaces as needed.
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 closure fairing effectively covers the cut-out opening, enhancing aerodynamic performance by directing airflow and maintaining the functionality of the slat track during deployment, thereby alleviating adverse aerodynamic impacts.
Implementation Method 1
The closure fairing defines aerodynamic surfaces to direct incident airflow to the wing leading edge from a lower surface of the aircraft wing to an upper surface of the aircraft wing
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft wing is provided with a positionally fixed closure fairing to close a cut-out opening in the leading edge of the wing associated with a wing leading edge slat so as to direct incident airflow to the wing leading edge from a lower surface of the aircraft wing to an upper surface of the aircraft wing.