Flap Over-Travel Arrestment via Track Detent and Catcher
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft flap over-travel can lead to unintentional contact with wing structures due to lack of primary load paths, causing potential flutter and loss of controlled flap position.
Innovation Solution
A track with a deployment profile that includes a transition portion extending beyond the normal retracted position and terminating in a detent, which engages a resilient catcher to restrain the flap in a maximum retracted position, preventing further over-travel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the flap is allowed to travel freely beyond the normal retracted position, then the flap can achieve full retraction, but the flap may contact wing structures and experience flutter due to lack of primary load paths
Solution Approach 1:
The track is designed with a transition portion and detent that are prepared in advance to arrest flap over-travel. The detent is positioned at a predetermined location that corresponds to the maximum safe retraction position, so when the flap reaches this position during over-travel, the catcher automatically engages the detent to prevent further movement and potential contact with wing structures.
Solution Approach 2:
A resilient catcher is introduced as an intermediary component between the flap and the track's detent. The catcher is mounted to the flap and can resiliently engage with the detent in the track, providing a controlled stopping mechanism that prevents direct contact between the flap and potentially harmful structures while maintaining reliable position control.
2Reliability
If a track with transition portion and detent is added to arrest over-travel, then flap position control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The over-travel arrestment function is merged into the existing track structure by incorporating the transition portion and detent directly into the track. This integration approach allows the track to serve dual purposes: guiding normal flap operation and providing over-travel arrestment, thereby reducing the need for separate components and minimizing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The track structure is designed to be self-regulating through its built-in transition portion and detent features. When over-travel occurs, the system automatically engages the catcher in the detent without requiring external control systems, sensors, or additional actuation mechanisms, thereby maintaining simplicity while ensuring reliable position control.
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
Effectively arrests flap over-travel, maintaining controlled flap position and preventing flutter by ensuring the flap is securely locked in the detent, even in conditions where primary load paths are not available.
Implementation Method 1
A resilient catcher is configured to be displaced by the transition portion during over-travel of the flap beyond the normal retracted position and captured in the detent in a maximum retracted position thereby restraining the flap
Data Source
AI summary
A system to arrest flap over-travel employs a track engaging a flap to a support structure. The track has a deployment profile determining flap motion relative to the support structure during travel between an extended position and a normal retracted position. The deployment profile has a transition portion extending beyond the normal retracted position and terminating in a detent. A resiliently mounted catcher is configured to be displaced by the transition portion during over-travel of the flap beyond the normal retracted position and captured in the detent in a maximum retracted position thereby restraining the flap.