Aircraft Flap Bird Impact Deflection Wall
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing leading edge mobile flaps on aircraft wings are complex and costly due to the need for high resistance against bird impacts, particularly in the bird impact-sensitive frontal area, which can lead to destructive consequences and are challenging with non-ductile materials like composite materials.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a single rigid bird trajectory-deflecting wall anchored to the aerodynamic skin and rear skin between consecutive ribs, deflecting the bird trajectory at an angle of less than 45° to reduce impact energy transmission, allowing for a streamlined and lightweight design while maintaining resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the aerodynamic skin is made out of composite material to reduce weight, then the weight of the flap is reduced, but the flap becomes more brittle and vulnerable to bird impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a bird impact-absorbing structure comprising a deformable element positioned in the bird impact-sensitive frontal area of the aerodynamic skin. This deformable element is designed to deform upon bird impact, absorbing impact energy before it can damage the brittle composite aerodynamic skin. The structure provides preemptive protection by cushioning the blow in advance, preventing catastrophic failure of the lightweight composite material.
2Reliability
If the flap structure is made more resistant to bird impacts, then the reliability against bird impact is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the protection system into distinct functional segments: the aerodynamic skin, the bird impact-absorbing structure with its deformable element, and the supporting framework. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the deformable element specifically for impact absorption while maintaining the simplicity of the overall flap structure. The modular approach avoids the need for completely redesigning the entire flap structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The bird impact-absorbing structure is specifically positioned in the bird impact-sensitive frontal area of the aerodynamic skin, where bird impacts are most likely to occur and cause damage. This localized protection concentrates the complexity only where needed, rather than making the entire flap structure complex. The deformable element is strategically placed to provide targeted protection against bird impacts while leaving other areas of the flap simple and lightweight.
3Weight of moving object
If the aerodynamic skin is made thinner to reduce weight, then the weight is reduced, but the ability to absorb impact energy is diminished
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a deformable element as an intermediary component between the bird and the thin aerodynamic skin. This intermediary element deforms upon impact, absorbing impact energy through its deformation characteristics. The thin aerodynamic skin is protected from direct impact forces, allowing it to remain lightweight while the deformable element compensates for the reduced energy absorption capacity of the thinner skin.
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 solution effectively limits impact energy and dynamic loads transmitted to the flap, preventing disastrous consequences from bird impacts and reducing the need for over-dimensioned or heavy structures, while maintaining structural integrity and reducing weight.
Implementation Method 1
a bird impacting on the leading edge mobile flap is particularly harmful and dangerous when this bird strikes a part of the aerodynamic skin of the flap known as the 'bird impact-sensitive frontal area'... when it is impacted by a bird, the shock generates very substantial energy which is mainly transmitted to the flap
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a leading edge mobile flap (16) for a main wing of an aircraft, this flap including an aerodynamic skin (18) that has a bird impact-sensitive frontal area (24), and a rear skin (28) integral with the aerodynamic skin (18), the flap also comprising a plurality of ribs (34) spaced out along a leading edge longitudinal direction (X′). According to the invention, the flap additionally includes, between two directly consecutive ribs, a single rigid bird trajectory-deflecting wall (42) anchored to the skins (18, 28). Furthermore, in a cross-section taken along any plane orthogonal to the direction (X′), the wall (42) forms with a geometric chord (26) of the flap an angle (α1) with a value of less than 45°.