Aircraft Flap Actuating System Linear Bearing Rail Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flap actuating systems for aircraft are complex, heavy, and costly due to their intricate construction and requirement for multiple moving parts, which increases wear and maintenance needs.
Innovation Solution
A compact and lightweight flap actuating system is designed with a carriage that moves linearly along a bearing rail, utilizing a linear actuator with a screw nut and ball screw drive, and a form-fitting connection between the carriage and coupling element, reducing the number of movable parts and eliminating the need for swivel movements, thereby simplifying the design and reducing wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional flap arrangements use complex support and actuating mechanisms, then the flap can be selectively extended and retracted, but the construction complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the support function and actuation function into a single integrated carriage assembly. The carriage simultaneously supports the flap and provides the actuating mechanism through linear bearings and coupling elements, eliminating the need for separate support structures and reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs linear rolling-element bearings that enable dynamic translational movement of the carriage along the bearing rail. This dynamic capability allows the flap to be selectively extended and retracted while maintaining a compact and lightweight structure compared to conventional fixed or complex movable support mechanisms
2Ease of operation
If conventional flap arrangements use multiple moving parts, then the flap can be actuated, but wear and maintenance needs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary intermediate moving parts from conventional actuating mechanisms. By using a direct linear actuation system with the carriage translating along a fixed bearing rail, the design removes redundant components that would otherwise contribute to wear and maintenance requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical linkages with swivel movements and multiple joints with a simplified linear translation system. The carriage moves directly along the bearing rail in a straight line, substituting intricate mechanical arrangements with a more reliable and lower-wear linear motion mechanism
3Weight of moving object
If the drive element is arranged parallel to the linear bearing rail, then the design becomes compact and lightweight, but the actuator must maintain precise alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the linear bearing rail as an intermediary element between the carriage and the support structure. This bearing rail serves as a precise guiding mechanism that maintains the required alignment between the drive element and the carriage while allowing the overall design to remain compact and lightweight
Solution Approach 2:
The patent provides alignment precision through the bearing rail geometry and carriage design, ensuring that the drive element remains parallel to the bearing rail throughout the actuation range. This partial over-design of alignment features ensures reliable operation while maintaining a compact structure
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 system achieves a cost-efficient, reliable, and low-friction actuation of aircraft flaps with reduced complexity and weight, enhancing maintenance efficiency and aerodynamic performance.
Implementation Method 1
The linear bearing is preferably designed to provide free motion of the carriage along only one axis
Implementation Method 2
the carriage may have a flap support with a rotary joint for rotationally coupling the flap, i.e., a connecting element of the flap, to the carriage
Implementation Method 3
The linear actuator further has a drive element configured to linearly actuate the coupling element
Data Source
AI summary
A flap actuating system for use in an aircraft comprises a carriage for supporting and guiding a flap which is engageable with and translationally movable along at least one linear bearing rail. A linear actuator of the flap actuating system has a linearly actuatable coupling element coupled to the carriage and a drive element configured to linearly actuate the coupling element in a direction substantially parallel to a movement direction of the carriage along the linear bearing rail. The drive element is arranged substantially parallel to the movement direction of the carriage along the linear bearing rail.