Fluid Transfer Hinge for Aircraft Wing High Lift Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hardware at the hinge between an aircraft wing and high lift control surfaces inefficiently transfers fluid from the upstream to the downstream side, leading to separated and turbulent fluid flow, increased drag, and reduced lift.
Innovation Solution
A fluid transfer hinge with a first and second housing, flanges, fluid inlet and outlet, and pressure seals, designed to rotate and facilitate fluid transfer across the hinge, reducing separation and turbulence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If current hardware is used at the hinge, then the structure is simple, but fluid transfer efficiency is poor leading to separated flow and increased drag
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the hinge structure with fluid transfer passages into a single integrated component. The housing contains internal passages that allow fluid to flow from the upstream side to the downstream side while the hinge rotates, eliminating the need for separate fluid transfer hardware and reducing overall system complexity despite improved fluid transfer efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge housing serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the rotational hinge mechanism and contains the fluid transfer passages. This multi-functionality allows the same structure to achieve both mechanical articulation and efficient fluid transfer, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and performance
2Object-affected harmful factors
If fluid flow is not efficiently transferred across the hinge, then the structure remains simple, but drag increases and lift reduces
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the fluid transfer function into the hinge structure itself through internal passages, the patent reduces drag caused by flow separation without adding separate complex fluid transfer components, thus reducing harmful effects without proportionally increasing device complexity
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 fluid transfer hinge reduces fluid flow separation and drag, while increasing lift by efficiently transferring fluid from the wing to the high lift control surface, using a reduced part count and complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure seal between the first housing and the second housing to prevent leakage
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, systems and methods include to fluid transfer hinge used to transfer fluid from one surface to another. The fluid transfer hinge comprises a first housing. The fluid transfer hinge further comprises a second housing, wherein the first housing is coupled to the second housing, wherein the first housing is rotatable about the second housing along a central axis of the fluid transfer hinge. The fluid transfer hinge further comprises a fluid inlet, wherein the fluid inlet is disposed about at least a portion of the thickness of the first housing. The fluid transfer hinge further comprises a fluid outlet, wherein the fluid outlet is disposed about at least a portion of the thickness of the second housing.