Electrohydraulic Backup Actuator for Folding Wingtips

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing folding wing designs for commercial aircraft face challenges in efficiently transitioning between flight and folded positions, particularly due to mechanical backup systems that increase weight and maintenance requirements, leading to operational delays and increased fuel costs.

Innovation Solution

A backup system comprising a hydraulic power source, movement system, latch system, lock system, and a backup actuator (either electric or hydraulic motor) connected to these systems, with a sensor system to determine responsiveness, allowing for automatic switching to backup components if primary systems fail, thereby ensuring smooth operation and reduced maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a mechanical backup system is used for folding wing tips, then reliability is improved, but weight increases and maintenance requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidweight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical backup systems with an electrohydraulic actuator system that uses electrical controls and hydraulic power to achieve wing tip folding and locking functions, thereby reducing mechanical complexity and weight while maintaining reliability through automated failure detection and backup actuation capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The electrohydraulic actuator system integrates multiple functions including movement actuation, position locking, and failure detection into a single unified system, eliminating the need for separate mechanical backup components and reducing overall system weight

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a mechanical backup system is used for folding wing tips, then reliability is improved, but maintenance requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidmaintenance requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical backup systems with an electrohydraulic system that uses electrical sensors and hydraulic actuators, which have fewer moving parts and require less maintenance while providing equivalent or superior reliability through electronic monitoring and automated failure response

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates automated failure detection through sensors that monitor actuator responsiveness, automatically triggering backup actuation without requiring manual intervention or complex maintenance procedures, thereby reducing maintenance requirements while maintaining high reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If a mechanical backup system is used for folding wing tips, then operational reliability is improved, but operational delays increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational reliabilityVSAvoidoperational delays

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary failure detection using sensors that continuously monitor actuator responsiveness before critical failures occur, allowing for proactive backup actuation and preventing operational delays by addressing potential issues before they affect wing tip operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The electrohydraulic system replaces slow-responding mechanical backup mechanisms with faster-acting electrical and hydraulic components, significantly reducing the time required for backup actuation and minimizing operational delays while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If a mechanical backup system is used for folding wing tips, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical backup systems with an integrated electrohydraulic system that uses electrical controls and hydraulic power transmission, simplifying the overall system architecture by eliminating multiple mechanical linkages, gears, and manual override mechanisms while maintaining reliability through electronic monitoring and automated failure response

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The electrohydraulic actuator system integrates multiple functions including movement actuation, position locking, force application, and failure detection into a single unified system, reducing the number of separate components and simplifying system complexity while maintaining or improving reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3018053B1Backup system for actuating a wingtip

Publication Date: 2023.05.31 THE BOEING CO

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AI summary

A system and method for a number of backup systems in an aircraft. The apparatus comprises a movement system (342); a latch system (340); a lock system (338); and at least one of a backup valve (378), a backup actuator (374), or a backup power source (376) connected to at least one of the movement system (342), the latch system (340), or the lock system (338). The movement system (342) has a first number of actuators and is connected to a hydraulic power source. The latch system (340) has a second number of actuators and is connected to the hydraulic power source. The lock system (338) has a third number of actuators and is connected to the hydraulic power source.