Flexible Skin Airfoil Shape Control System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current airfoil shape changing systems for aircraft create gaps in the surface, leading to turbulence and limited aerodynamic performance, as they either protrude into the airstream or do not allow simultaneous shape changes in the leading edge and camber adjustments.

Innovation Solution

An airfoil with a flexible skin and a shape control system that changes shape without gaps, using a roller system and actuator system to deform the flexible skin between multiple shapes, maintaining a contiguous surface and avoiding flow separation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If extension or unfolding mechanisms are used to modify aerodynamic characteristics, then the aerodynamic performance is improved, but gaps are created in the skin continuity that generate turbulence

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaerodynamic characteristicsVSAvoidturbulence

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible skin that can deform to change the airfoil shape without requiring rigid extension mechanisms. This flexible membrane maintains surface continuity while adapting aerodynamic characteristics, eliminating the gaps that would otherwise generate turbulence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The airfoil system transitions from static rigid structures to dynamic flexible surfaces that can continuously change shape. The flexible skin allows smooth, continuous deformation of the airfoil geometry without discrete moving parts that would create gaps or discontinuities in the surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Shape

If the leading edge is lowered to provide a blunt leading edge, then the camber is modified, but simultaneous shape change in the leading edge is not allowed

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecamberVSAvoidshape change capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible skin enables the airfoil to dynamically assume multiple shapes simultaneously, including both camber changes and leading edge modifications. The distributed flexibility allows different portions of the airfoil to deform independently yet continuously, providing versatile shape control that rigid systems cannot achieve.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables continuous aerodynamic performance by preventing gaps during shape changes, enhancing lift and reducing drag across various flight conditions without inducing flow separation.

Implementation Method 1

a flexible skin and a shape control system. The flexible skin forms a control surface of the airfoil. The shape control system is capable of changing a shape of the control surface formed by the flexible skin

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS8256719B2Shape changing airfoil system

Publication Date: 2012.09.04 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

A method and apparatus for an airfoil, a flexible skin, and a shape control system. The flexible skin forms a control surface of the airfoil. The shape control system is capable of changing a shape of the control surface formed by the flexible skin between a plurality of shapes, wherein a gap does not occur during a changing of the shape of the control surface.