Aircraft Slat Gap-Adjustment Assembly for Limited Wing Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
The limited space within modern aircraft wings poses a challenge for mechanisms to adjust gaps between slats and adjacent surfaces effectively, which affects the performance of slats during deployment.
Innovation Solution
A gap-adjustment assembly comprising a track member and an adjustment member is used to pivotally couple with wing support structures, allowing selective adjustment of the slat's position and gap relative to the wing, utilizing a threaded rod to adjust the distance between pivotal axes and constrain translation between stowed and deployed positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a gap-adjustment mechanism is installed within the wing to adjust slat gaps, then the effectiveness of slats during low-speed operations is improved, but the available space within the wing is insufficient to accommodate the mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The gap-adjustment mechanism utilizes the spanwise dimension along the wing leading edge, rather than consuming additional chordwise or thickness space within the wing. The track member extends spanwise and the adjustment member operates in a plane that leverages the wing's spanwise length, converting a three-dimensional space constraint problem into a two-dimensional solution along the leading edge.
Solution Approach 2:
The gap-adjustment mechanism is integrated into the existing slat assembly structure, with the track member coupled to the slat and the adjustment member coupled to both the track member and wing support structures. This nested integration allows the mechanism to function within the existing structural envelope of the slat assembly without requiring separate dedicated space within the wing.
2Strength
If the slat is rigidly fixed to the wing support structures, then the structural strength is improved, but the ability to adjust gaps between slats and adjacent surfaces is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the slat and wing support structures is segmented into multiple functional components: the track member provides constrained movement along a defined path, the adjustment member enables gap adjustment, and pivotal couplings allow controlled rotation. This segmentation maintains overall structural integrity while enabling the necessary adjustability through coordinated movement of discrete components.
Solution Approach 2:
The slat connection transitions from a static rigid fixation to a dynamic system where the track member and adjustment member work together to provide controlled movement. The pivotal couplings enable the slat to rotate to different angles while the track member constrains the translation, creating a dynamic connection that maintains strength while providing adjustability.
Data Source
AI summary
Wing assemblies comprise a slat, wing support structures, and a gap-adjustment assembly configured to permit selective adjustment of the slat relative to the wing support structures. The gap-adjustment assembly comprises a track member and an adjustment member. The track member is pivotally coupled relative to the wing support structures about a track-member axis, the slat is operatively translationally coupled to the track member, and the track member is configured to constrain translation of the slat between a stowed position and a deployed position. The adjustment member is pivotally coupled relative to the wing support structures about an adjustment-member axis and pivotally coupled to the track member about a linkage axis. The adjustment member is configured to permit selective adjustment of a direct distance between the adjustment-member axis and the linkage axis.