Rotating Flight Control Surface Gap Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft flight control surface designs fail to effectively create a gap between the main aerodynamic body and the trailing-edge flight control surface while deployed, leading to increased drag at cruise conditions due to external bumps housing mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A rotating body is coupled to the flight control surface, allowing it to move between a stowed and deployed position, creating a gap between the main aerodynamic body and the rotating body, which adjusts airflow, and is achieved through a four-bar linkage and hinge mechanism within the main aerodynamic body, eliminating the need for external bumps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If external bumps are used to house mechanisms for creating a gap between the main aerodynamic body and the flight control surface, then the gap can be effectively created when deployed, but drag increases at cruise conditions due to the external protrusions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the mechanism for creating the gap from external bumps and relocates it internally within the main aerodynamic body. The rotating body and four-bar linkage are housed inside the aerodynamic body, eliminating external protrusions while maintaining the ability to create an effective gap when the flight control surface is deflected.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism components (rotating body, four-bar linkage, hinge) are nested within the main aerodynamic body. The rotating body rotates within the aerodynamic body to create the gap, and all mechanisms are contained within the internal volume of the aerodynamic structure, avoiding external bumps.
2Device complexity
If the flight control surface is pivotally coupled to the main aerodynamic body with the hinge inside the body, then the mechanism complexity is reduced and drag is minimized, but the ability to create an effective gap while deployed is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a rotating body that dynamically adjusts the gap between the main aerodynamic body and the flight control surface. The rotating body can rotate between a stowed position (when the control surface is in cruise configuration) and a deployed position (when the control surface is deflected), actively creating the necessary gap while maintaining a clean external aerodynamic shape.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating body acts as an intermediary element between the main aerodynamic body and the flight control surface. It mediates the gap creation function, allowing the hinge to remain internal while still achieving effective gap formation through the rotation of this intermediate component.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the rotating body is rotated toward the main aerodynamic body in the stowed position, then the gap is closed and drag is reduced, but the mechanism requires additional space within the aerodynamic body
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating body dynamically changes position between stowed and deployed states. In the stowed position (during cruise), it rotates toward the main aerodynamic body to close the gap and minimize drag. In the deployed position (during maneuvering), it rotates away to create the necessary gap for effective control surface operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The gap adjustment is achieved through rotation in a third dimension rather than linear movement. The rotating body pivots on an axis that allows it to move between positions without requiring significant linear space, efficiently utilizing the internal volume of the aerodynamic body.
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 design enhances aerodynamic efficiency by reducing drag and allowing for effective airflow adjustment between the main aerodynamic body and the flight control surface, improving control surface effectiveness without external protrusions.
Implementation Method 1
The four-bar linkage transitions the rotating body between the stowed position and the deployed position in response to rotation of the flight control surface
Implementation Method 2
The flight control surface is pivotally coupled to the main aerodynamic body to facilitate pivotal movement of the flight control surface relative to the main aerodynamic body
Data Source
AI summary
An aerodynamic device includes a main aerodynamic body having a leading edge and a trailing edge, a flight control surface coupled to the main aerodynamic body near the trailing edge of the main aerodynamic body, and a rotating body coupled to the flight control surface. The rotating body is rotatable relative to the flight control surface between a stowed position and a deployed position to define a gap. The rotating body is rotated toward the main aerodynamic body while in the stowed position to close the gap. The rotating body is rotated away from the main aerodynamic body while in the deployed position to widen the gap. The gap adjusts an airflow flowing between the main aerodynamic body and the flight control surface.