Folding Wingtip Actuation Control for Airport Gate Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to manage the elongated wingspans of aircraft to fit within conventional airport gate and taxiway spacings while maintaining fuel efficiency, as increasing wingspan reduces drag and fuel burn but poses logistical challenges for existing airport layouts.
Innovation Solution
A folding wingtip actuation system with a control module that determines the status of components using sensors and adjusts the wingtips' position, allowing for folding or intermediate positions to accommodate airport constraints, utilizing actuators, sensors, and a latch and lock system for safe operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the wingspan of the aircraft is increased to reduce aerodynamic drag and fuel burn, then fuel efficiency is improved, but the aircraft cannot accommodate conventional airport gate and taxiway spacings
Solution Approach 1:
The wingtip assembly is divided into multiple segments that can move independently. The folding wingtip assembly includes a first wingtip portion and a second wingtip portion that can be positioned at different angles relative to the main wing, allowing the wingspan to be adjusted in discrete steps rather than as a single rigid structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The wingtip assembly transitions from a static, fixed-span structure to a dynamic, adjustable-span structure. The folding mechanism allows the wingtip to change its configuration between extended and folded positions, enabling the aircraft to adapt its wingspan to different operational requirements such as fuel-efficient cruise versus airport maneuvering.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a folding wingtip actuation system is implemented to adjust wingspan, then adaptability to airport constraints is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional actuators, sensors, and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation system is designed to perform multiple functions: it can fold the wingtip for airport operations, extend it for fuel-efficient flight, and maintain structural integrity during transitions. The same actuator and sensor system serves both the folding mechanism and the position monitoring functions, reducing the need for separate dedicated systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that automatically monitor the position and status of the folding wingtip assembly, eliminating the need for complex manual monitoring systems. The control system uses feedback from these sensors to automatically adjust the actuation commands, allowing the system to self-regulate its operation without requiring extensive external control infrastructure.
3Measurement precision
If the folding wingtip assembly uses multiple components and sensors for position monitoring, then measurement precision is improved, but the system becomes more vulnerable to component failures
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously receives feedback from multiple sensors monitoring the position and status of the folding wingtip assembly. This feedback is used to verify that the wingtip has reached its intended position and to detect any deviations or failures. The system can cross-check readings from multiple sensors to identify and compensate for potential measurement errors or component failures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates redundant sensors and fail-safe mechanisms that are activated before critical failures can occur. If a sensor or actuator shows signs of malfunction, the control system can preemptively switch to backup components or alert the pilot, preventing complete system failure. The latch and lock system is designed with inherent safety features that prevent accidental deployment or locking in incorrect positions.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to control and monitor a folding wingtip actuation system are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a sequence and control module to determine whether to control a movement of a folding wingtip assembly coupled to a wing of an aircraft, the sequence and control module is to determine actions during a first stage and a second stage to complete in sequence to move the folding wingtip assembly, determine a status of a first component of the folding wingtip assembly based on a sensor measurement, in response to the status being a non-responsive status, replace a first input from the first component with a second input from a second component, and control the movement of the folding wingtip assembly based on the actions and the second input.