Movable Wing Tip Device with Energy Accumulator
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to efficiently transmit power and data between an aircraft's wing tips and its main body, particularly across the foldable joint of a wing, while minimizing wear and tear on electrical wiring and connectors, which is exacerbated by frequent deployment and retraction during service.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a movable wing tip device equipped with an accumulator that receives energy from the main wing element via inductive couplers or wires, allowing for wireless power transmission and reducing the need for physical cables, along with a wing tip actuator to adjust the wing span, using energy storage solutions like super capacitors, batteries, or hydrogen fuel cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrical wiring is provided from the aircraft power system to the movable wing tip device across the foldable joint, then power and data can be transmitted to wing tip components, but the wiring and connectors experience wear and tear due to frequent deployment and retraction, requiring frequent maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power transmission function from the fixed electrical wiring system and relocates it to a portable power source (accumulator) that travels with the movable wing tip device. This separates the power supply function from the structural wiring, allowing the device to operate independently once powered, thereby eliminating continuous wear on connectors and wiring across the foldable joint.
Solution Approach 2:
The accumulator is charged with energy in advance (preliminarily) when the wing tip device is in the deployed position or before operation begins. This preliminary energy storage allows the device to function autonomously during movement and retraction without requiring continuous power transmission through wear-prone wiring, reducing maintenance requirements.
2Productivity
If the wing span is increased to improve aircraft performance efficiency, then higher performance is achieved, but the aircraft cannot comply with airport operating rules regarding clearances when maneuvering around the airport
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the wing tip device movable rather than fixed. The wing tip device can be deployed to increase span for improved aerodynamic efficiency during flight, and retracted or folded to reduce span for compliance with airport clearance requirements during ground operations. This dynamic adjustment capability resolves the contradiction between performance and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The wing structure is segmented into a fixed main wing element and a movable wing tip device. This segmentation allows the main wing to remain while the tip portion can be independently positioned, enabling the aircraft to maintain large span for performance when needed and reduce span for airport compliance when required.
3Adaptability or versatility
If components such as flaps, ailerons, spoilers, and lighting arrangements are provided in the movable wing tip device, then the device can perform multiple functions, but electrical wiring must be provided across the foldable joint, leading to wear and tear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power supply function from the fixed wiring system and places it in a portable accumulator within the movable wing tip device. This allows multiple components (flaps, ailerons, spoilers, lighting) to be powered without requiring continuous wiring across the foldable joint, eliminating the wear and reliability issues associated with repeated connector engagement and disengagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable wing tip device is designed to accommodate multiple components (flaps, ailerons, spoilers, lighting arrangements) that can perform various functions. The universal power supply via accumulator supports all these components without requiring separate wiring for each, maintaining versatility while improving reliability by eliminating wear-prone electrical connections across the joint.
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
This solution reduces maintenance requirements, enhances reliability by minimizing mechanical wear, and allows for efficient energy distribution to wing tip components, ensuring proper operation in both deployed and retracted positions while accommodating airport clearance regulations.
Implementation Method 1
The aircraft can comprise one or more inductive couplers arranged to transmit the energy from the main wing element to the accumulator.
Implementation Method 2
The movable wing tip device comprises an accumulator configured to accumulate energy and output the energy to the energy consumer.
Implementation Method 3
The accumulator can comprise at least one of a super capacitor, a battery, a flywheel, and a hydrogen fuel cell with a hydrogen tank.
Implementation Method 4
The accumulator can comprise at least one of a super capacitor, a battery, a flywheel, and a hydrogen fuel cell with a hydrogen tank.
Implementation Method 5
The accumulator can comprise at least one of a super capacitor, a battery, a flywheel, and a hydrogen fuel cell with a hydrogen tank.
Implementation Method 6
The accumulator can comprise at least one of a super capacitor, a battery, a flywheel, and a hydrogen fuel cell with a hydrogen tank.
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft is disclosed having a device and an aircraft wing. The aircraft wing includes a main wing element and a movable wing tip device attached to a tip end of the main wing element. The movable wing tip device includes an accumulator configured to store energy and the movable wing tip device can move relative to the main wing element to vary a span of the aircraft wing. The accumulator is configured to transmit power to the device. The accumulator enables energy to trickle between the main wing element and the movable wing tip device whilst still providing a suitable power source to the device. Additional embodiments include a method of maintenance, and a method of operating the aircraft wing to store energy in the movable wing tip device.