Multi-spar Wing Element Integrating Wet Dry Bays

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wing construction techniques face challenges in maximizing fuel storage area while accommodating mechanical and electrical components, often requiring additional spars that increase production costs and complexity.

Innovation Solution

The integration of multiple spar elements into a continuously connected multi-spar element along the forward and aft directional axis of the wing, which provides separation between wet and dry bays, reduces manufacturing costs and part count, and allows for flexible configuration of spar elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If additional spars are added to separate wet and dry bays, then component accommodation is improved, but device complexity and production cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent accommodationVSAvoidspar quantity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple separate spars into a single integrated multi-spar element that contains multiple internal bay spaces. This single element performs the function of multiple separate spars while reducing the total number of components, thereby decreasing device complexity and production cost while maintaining the ability to accommodate both wet and dry bays with their respective components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a nested structure where multiple bay spaces (wet bays and dry bays) are contained within a single multi-spar element. The internal bays are nested within the external boundaries of one integrated spar structure, allowing efficient space utilization and component accommodation without requiring additional external spars.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If multiple separate spars are used, then structural separation is improved, but manufacturing cost and part count increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural separationVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple spar functions into a single manufactured element. The multi-spar element is produced as one integrated component through resin infusion molding, which maintains the structural separation of internal bays while eliminating the need to manufacture and assemble multiple separate spars, thereby reducing manufacturing cost and part count.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single multi-spar element performs multiple functions that would traditionally require separate spars: it provides structural support, creates separation between wet and dry bays, and accommodates various mechanical and electrical components. This multi-functional design reduces the number of parts needed while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Volume of stationary object

If wing interior space is maximized for fuel storage, then fuel capacity is improved, but space for mechanical and electrical components is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefuel storage areaVSAvoidcomponent space
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the wing interior space into multiple distinct bays (wet bays for fuel storage and dry bays for component accommodation) within a single multi-spar element. This segmentation allows simultaneous optimization of fuel storage volume and component space by creating dedicated zones for each function without requiring additional external spars.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent nests multiple functional bays within the internal structure of a single multi-spar element. The wet bays and dry bays are nested within the external boundaries of one integrated spar, maximizing the utilization of available wing interior space for both fuel storage and component accommodation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP3594105B1Multi-spar wing arrangements
Publication Date: 2022.08.24 TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC
  • EP3594105B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3594105B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3594105B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B

AI summary

A wing (200) is provided in one example embodiment and may include an upper skin portion (202); a lower skin portion (204); and a multi-spar element (230) that extends between the upper skin portion (202) and the lower skin portion (204), wherein the multi-spar element (230) comprises a plurality of spar elements (232a, 232b) integrated together. The multi-spar element (230) may include at least one spar element (232a, 232b) that extends between the upper skin portion (202) and the lower skin portion (204), wherein the at least one spar element (232a, 232b) is continuously connected along a forward and aft directional axis (276) to at least one other spar element (232a, 232b) that extends between the upper skin portion (202) and the lower skin portion (204). The multi-spar element (230) may be attached to the upper skin portion (202) and the lower skin portion (204).