Rotatable Winglet for Lateral Load Reduction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Modern commercial aircraft winglets are designed primarily for cruising and do not account for varying aerodynamic loads during climbing, takeoff, landing, and lateral gusts, leading to inefficient fuel consumption and structural robustness requirements.

Innovation Solution

A rotatable winglet system that can adjust its position and orientation relative to the wing element along multiple axes, allowing for adaptive aerodynamic characteristics across different flight phases, reducing load cases and enabling optimal lift distribution and fuel efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If winglets are designed as rigid constructions optimized for cruising flight, then fuel efficiency during cruising is improved, but the structure becomes overly robust and heavy to withstand extreme loads during lateral gusts and high-angle-of-yaw maneuvers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel efficiencyVSAvoidwinglet and wing element weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by enabling the winglet to rotate about a rotary axis that is offset from the wing element. This rotation allows the winglet to dynamically adjust its position in response to varying flight conditions, reducing aerodynamic loads during lateral gusts and high-angle-of-yaw maneuvers. By making the winglet position variable rather than fixed, the structure can operate efficiently during cruising while avoiding the need for excessive structural robustness to withstand extreme loads, thereby reducing weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Loss of energy

If winglets are designed for maximum effect during cruising at high Mach numbers, then resistance reduction is improved, but performance during climbing flight, approach to landing, takeoff and landing is not optimized

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresistance reductionVSAvoidperformance across different flight phases

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamics by allowing the winglet to rotate to different positions during various flight phases. During cruising, the winglet can be positioned to maximize resistance reduction, while during climbing, approach, takeoff, and landing, the winglet can rotate to positions optimized for those specific conditions. This dynamic adaptability resolves the contradiction between optimizing for cruising performance and maintaining versatility across all flight phases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by varying the angular position of the winglet relative to the wing element based on flight conditions. The rotary mechanism allows continuous adjustment of the winglet's orientation parameter, enabling optimization of aerodynamic characteristics for different Mach numbers, altitudes, and flight phases, thereby achieving both resistance reduction during cruising and adaptability during other flight phases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If winglets are made robust to withstand extreme aerodynamic loads during lateral gusts and high angles of yaw, then structural reliability is improved, but the wing element and overall aircraft economy deteriorate due to increased weight

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural reliabilityVSAvoidaircraft economy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by making the winglet dynamically adjustable through rotation. Instead of designing for the worst-case scenario across all conditions, the winglet can actively reposition itself to reduce aerodynamic loads during extreme conditions like lateral gusts and high angles of yaw. This dynamic load management maintains structural reliability while avoiding the need for excessive structural weight that would harm aircraft economy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 flexible winglet design reduces aerodynamic loads, allows for direct control of wing torsion and bending, and minimizes resistance across all flight phases, resulting in significant fuel savings and improved aircraft economy.

Implementation Method 1

the aerodynamic load on the winglets is above all extremely high at a large angle of yaw and during lateral gusts

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAerodynamic load reduction: Drag

Implementation Method 2

enabling optimal lift distribution and fuel efficiency

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLift distribution: Aerofoil

Data Source

PatentUS8757555B2Concept of a variable winglet for lateral load reduction for combined lateral and vertical load reduction, and for improving the performance of means of locomotion

Publication Date: 2014.06.24 AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH

AI summary

A device for adapting aerodynamic characteristics of a wing element, includes a winglet, movably attachable to a wing element. The winglet or parts of the winglet may be rotatable in relation to the wing element such that an associated rotary axis with a main direction of extension of the wing element encompasses an angle that differs from an angle of 90°. In addition, a method is disclosed.