Aircraft Flap Support Structure with Continuous Aerodynamic Surface
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flap deployment systems for aircraft increase weight and drag due to the use of large fairings to cover structural components, which also complicate manufacturing and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A flap deployment system with a support structure having a continuous aerodynamic surface when in the stowed position, utilizing a nose fitting, aft fitting, and a carrier beam with aerodynamic surfaces, along with links and small fairings to eliminate the need for an outer fairing, thereby reducing weight and drag.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a fairing is used to cover the support beam and carrier beam, then drag is decreased, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is designed so that the support beam and carrier beam are integrated into a single unified structure with a continuous aerodynamic surface. This merging eliminates the need for a separate fairing component, thereby reducing aircraft weight while maintaining drag reduction benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the flap mechanism and simultaneously acts as an aerodynamic surface itself. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a dedicated fairing, reducing weight while maintaining drag reduction.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a fairing is used to cover the support beam and carrier beam, then drag is decreased, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the support beam and carrier beam into a single integrated support structure with a continuous aerodynamic surface, the number of separate components is reduced. This simplifies manufacturing processes and reduces assembly complexity while maintaining the drag reduction benefits of a streamlined fairing.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a fairing is used to cover the support beam and carrier beam, then drag is decreased, but maintenance complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated support structure eliminates the need for separate fairing components, reducing the number of parts that require maintenance. This simplifies maintenance procedures and reduces complexity while preserving the aerodynamic benefits.
4Ease of operation
If the carrier beam is in the deployed position, then flap control is improved, but aerodynamic continuity is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is designed to accommodate the dynamic movement of the carrier beam between stowed and deployed positions. The aerodynamic surface is configured to maintain continuity in the stowed position for drag reduction, while allowing the carrier beam to move freely for flap control when deployed.
Data Source
AI summary
A flap deployment apparatus and system for a wing of an aircraft that includes a support structure having a first aerodynamic surface. A nose fitting secures the support structure to a forward portion of an aircraft wing and an aft fitting secures the support structure to an aft portion of the wing. A carrier beam having a second aerodynamic surface is coupled to the support structure. The carrier beam is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position. Links guide the carrier between the positions. The first and second aerodynamic surfaces are configured to define a continuous aerodynamic surface when the carrier beam is in the stowed position. The apparatus includes a nose fairing having a third aerodynamic and a mid fairing cover having a fourth aerodynamic surface. The third and fourth aerodynamic surfaces also defines the continuous aerodynamic surface when the carrier beam is in the stowed position.