Curved Pop-Up Spoiler Deployment Within Wing Depth Limits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft control surfaces, particularly spoilers, face challenges in maintaining structural integrity and airflow efficiency due to increased loading at high speeds, requiring additional reinforcement and causing airflow disruptions when stowed or deployed.
Innovation Solution
Aircraft control surfaces with a curved cross-section and a deployment mechanism using a shaft allow for a deployable control surface member to extend beyond the aircraft structure without needing additional structural reinforcement, providing rigidity and minimizing airflow disruptions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the spoiler is made larger to produce the desired control effect, then the control effectiveness is improved, but the opening size increases requiring additional structural reinforcement
Solution Approach 1:
The spoiler is given a curved cross-section rather than a flat configuration. This curvature provides aerodynamic efficiency and control effectiveness while allowing the spoiler to be stowed within the wing depth without requiring large openings or additional structural reinforcement. The curved shape optimizes the control surface area within the constrained space.
2Length of moving object
If the opening in the wing is made larger to allow spoiler deployment, then the deployable control surface can extend sufficiently, but the wing requires additional structural reinforcement
Solution Approach 1:
The curved cross-section of the spoiler allows it to achieve the required extended length while maintaining a compact stowed profile that fits within the existing wing depth. This eliminates the need for enlarged openings and additional structural reinforcement.
Solution Approach 2:
The spoiler is designed to nest within the wing structure when retracted, utilizing the available depth space efficiently. The curved cross-section allows the spoiler to be contained within the wing's internal volume, requiring only a small opening for deployment.
3Ease of operation
If the opening is not closed when the spoiler is stowed, then the spoiler can be easily retracted, but airflow disruptions occur over the wing
Solution Approach 1:
The curved cross-section of the spoiler, when stowed, creates a smooth contour that closely follows the wing's upper surface. This streamlined shape minimizes airflow disruption and prevents turbulence, while the compact curved form allows easy retraction without requiring complex closing mechanisms.
Data Source
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AI summary
An aircraft control surface system (200) for an aircraft structure (101), for example a pop-up spoiler for an aircraft wing, comprises a deployable control surface member (210) and a deployment mechanism (220). The deployment mechanism (220) moves the deployable control surface member (210) between a retracted position and a deployed position. In the retracted position, the deployable control surface member (210) is curled to facilitate stowage within the aircraft structure (101). In the deployed position, the deployable control surface member (210) is uncurled and extends from a surface of the aircraft structure (101). The deployment mechanism (220) enables the deployable control surface member (210) to extend to have a straight portion with a length greater than the local depth of the aircraft structure (101).