Trailing Edge Flap Assembly Spanwise Track Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trailing edge flap deployment mechanisms on aircraft wings require significant fairings that increase drag, affecting fuel economy and aircraft range.
Innovation Solution
A trailing edge flap assembly with an elongated track member and couplers that allow for guided movement, accommodating transverse and skewing movements, reducing the overall height and drag by eliminating the need for large fairings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional flap deployment mechanisms are used, then the flap can be deployed effectively, but large fairings are required which increase drag and reduce fuel economy
Solution Approach 1:
The flap deployment mechanism is divided into multiple independent components: an elongated track member fixed to the wing structure, an aft coupler for the rear portion of the flap, and a forward coupler for the front portion. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and eliminates the need for large enclosing fairings, reducing drag while maintaining deployment effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism transitions from a vertical stacking arrangement (requiring large fairings) to a horizontal elongated track arrangement along the spanwise direction of the wing. The track member extends in the spanwise direction with couplers positioned at different locations, distributing the mechanism along the wing span rather than concentrating it vertically, thereby eliminating the need for large fairings.
2Reliability
If traditional flap deployment mechanisms are used, then the flap can be deployed effectively, but the mechanism height increases requiring larger fairings
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanism is segmented into distributed components along the spanwise direction rather than stacked vertically. The elongated track member and couplers are arranged horizontally along the wing span, eliminating the need for vertical fairings and reducing the overall height requirement of the stationary structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism layout changes from a vertical arrangement (requiring large fairing height) to a horizontal arrangement along the spanwise direction. The track member and couplers are positioned at different spanwise locations, distributing the mechanism along the wing rather than stacking it vertically, thereby eliminating the need for large fairings.
3Reliability
If large fairings are used to house the mechanism, then the mechanism is protected, but drag increases affecting range
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanism components are extracted from large enclosing fairings and positioned externally along the wing structure. The track member is fixed to the wing and couplers are positioned at the flap boundaries, eliminating the need for large fairings and the associated drag, while the mechanism remains protected through its integrated design with the wing structure.
Data Source
AI summary
Trailing edge assemblies, couplers and methods for deploying a trailing edge flap of an aircraft wing are disclosed. An exemplary method disclosed herein comprises guiding an aft portion of the trailing edge flap along an elongated track member as the trailing edge flap moves toward the deployed position; guiding a forward portion of the trailing edge flap along the elongated track member as the trailing edge flap moves toward the deployed position; and accommodating transverse movement of the forward portion of the trailing edge flap relative to the elongated track member.