Folding Wingtip Anomaly Detection for Latch Pin Interference

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Solution Overview

Problem

Folding wingtip systems in aircraft are prone to anomalous operation due to human error or component failure, which can lead to wingtip falls, causing damage and necessitating costly and inefficient maintenance.

Innovation Solution

An electronic controller monitors the operation of folding wingtip systems, sending notification signals to ground the aircraft and schedule maintenance when anomalies are detected, such as incomplete rotation of wingtips, using error codes to identify specific maintenance needs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If folding wingtip systems are used to accommodate wingspan limitations, then aircraft can operate at more airports, but the risk of anomalous operation and component failure increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveairport accommodation capabilityVSAvoidfolding wingtip system reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The electronic controller continuously monitors wingtip position and detects anomalies before they result in wingtip falls. By implementing preventive detection and notification systems, the system takes preliminary action to identify potential failures early, allowing maintenance to be scheduled before actual damage occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements continuous feedback monitoring of wingtip position through sensors and electronic controllers. When anomalies are detected, the system provides feedback through notification signals to the flight control computer, enabling real-time detection and response to folding wingtip system issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Loss of time

If wingtip position monitoring is implemented to detect anomalies, then maintenance can be scheduled proactively, but system complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaircraft downtimeVSAvoidelectronic monitoring system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electronic controller automatically monitors wingtip position and self-diagnoses anomalies without requiring continuous manual inspection. The system serves itself by detecting issues, generating notification signals, and providing diagnostic information, thereby reducing the need for complex external monitoring infrastructure while minimizing aircraft downtime.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12522376B2System and method to detect anomalous wingtip extension for a folding wing tip aircraft

Publication Date: 2026.01.13 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

A method includes implementing, via an electronic controller of an aircraft, an extend command received by the electronic controller from a flight control computer to rotate a wingtip of a wing to a flight position. The method includes, in response to a first determination at the electronic controller that rotation of the wingtip stopped before the flight position during implementation of the extend command, sending a first notification signal to the flight control computer from the electronic controller to cause the aircraft to be grounded and to schedule maintenance of the aircraft. The first notification signal includes one or more first error codes. The first notification signal causes the maintenance to include wingtip-to-latch pin drop maintenance responsive to a determination of the electronic controller indicating that a first particular angle of the wingtip relative to a primary portion of the wing is in a latch pin interference range.