Slidable Divergent Trailing Edge Device for Aircraft Wings

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Fixed divergent trailing edge devices on aircraft wings increase structural weight and complexity, while hinged devices risk free surface flutter and require larger actuators that add weight and drag, and are difficult to integrate within the airfoil.

Innovation Solution

A slideable divergent trailing edge device that moves along the aft surface of the wing between stowed and deployed positions, with a cover providing a sliding surface, allowing the actuator to be sized for friction forces and eliminating the need for a fairing, thus reducing weight and drag while maintaining lift over drag advantage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If a fixed divergent trailing edge device is used, then lift over drag is increased, but structural weight increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelift over dragVSAvoidstructural weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The trailing edge device transitions from a fixed configuration to a movable one, allowing it to be deployed only when needed for lift enhancement. The device can be extended to a divergent configuration during phases requiring improved lift-over-drag performance and retracted to a stowed position during other flight phases, thereby eliminating the need for a permanently heavy fixed structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Weight of stationary object

If a hinged divergent trailing edge device is used, then structural weight is reduced, but free surface flutter occurs and actuator size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural weightVSAvoidflutter stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device employs a sliding mechanism rather than a hinged one, creating a guided linear motion path that constrains the trailing edge device and prevents free surface flutter. The sliding action within defined guides provides inherent stability while maintaining the weight benefits of a movable structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If a hinged divergent trailing edge device with large actuator is used, then deployment is achieved, but device complexity and drag increase due to external fairing requirement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeployment capabilityVSAvoidfairing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The trailing edge device is designed to nest within the airfoil structure when in the stowed position. The sliding mechanism allows the device to be contained entirely within the airfoil cross-section, eliminating the need for external fairings and their associated complexity, weight, and drag penalties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Adaptability or versatility

If a hinged divergent trailing edge device is used, then mobility is achieved, but actuator and linkage size increases due to air load requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovemobilityVSAvoidactuator weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The sliding mechanism extracts the trailing edge device from the hinged configuration, separating the deployment function from the air load bearing function. The actuator only needs to overcome friction forces during sliding, not support the full air loads, allowing for a significantly smaller and lighter actuator system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3388331B1Slidable divergent trailing edge device

Publication Date: 2019.12.04 THE BOEING CO

Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3B
Figure 3C~4

AI summary

A wing 130 includes a trailing edge 210, and a divergent trailing edge device 240 slideable along an aft surface of the trailing edge 210 between a stowed position and a fully deployed position. The divergent trailing edge device 240 is located entirely within the trailing edge 210 when stowed, and it increases lift over drag of the wing 130 when deployed.