Aircraft Spoiler Actuation Using Negative Air Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft spoilers face challenges in rapid deployment due to the need for substantial load and power capacity, which increases the size and weight of actuators, potentially eroding aerodynamic benefits and requiring significant on-board space, especially when encountering short-duration wind gusts.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a spoiler with a hinged top flap and a linear guide mechanism, utilizing negative air pressure to deploy the spoiler quickly, reducing the need for a large actuator by leveraging aerodynamic forces, allowing deployment in less than a second, and using a smaller, less powerful actuator for retraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a large actuator with substantial load and power capacity is used to deploy the spoiler quickly, then the deployment speed is improved, but the actuator size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses aerodynamic forces (negative pressure on the upper surface of the wing) as a counteracting force to the actuator's weight and the spoiler's weight. The aerodynamic force assists in deploying the spoiler, effectively reducing the net load the actuator must overcome, thereby allowing a lighter actuator to achieve rapid deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The spoiler system uses the aircraft's own aerodynamic forces to aid its deployment. The negative pressure generated by airflow over the wing surface during flight is harnessed to automatically assist in deploying the spoiler when needed, reducing the burden on the actuator system.
2Speed
If a large actuator with substantial load and power capacity is used to deploy the spoiler quickly, then the deployment speed is improved, but the on-board space required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The aerodynamic force acts as a counteracting force that reduces the net load the actuator must handle. By leveraging the negative pressure from airflow, the actuator can be significantly smaller while still achieving rapid deployment, thereby reducing the space required for actuator installation.
3Reliability
If a larger actuator is used to provide adequate load-alleviation capability, then the load-alleviation performance is improved, but the aerodynamic benefits of the spoiler are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The aerodynamic force serves as a counteracting force that reduces the effective load on the actuator. This allows the actuator to be lighter while still providing adequate load-alleviation capability, thereby preserving the aerodynamic benefits of the spoiler system.
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 solution enables the spoiler to react swiftly to gusts, reducing structural deformations, allowing for a lighter airframe and improved dynamic flight performance, while avoiding the weight penalty associated with increased load capacity.
Implementation Method 1
Movement of the hinged top flap into the second position may result from negative pressure at the upper surface of the aircraft wing. During flight, a negative pressure exists on the upper surface of the wing.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a spoiler for an aircraft wing. The spoiler is movable between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration in a "pop-up" manner. The spoiler comprises a hinged top flap movable between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position the hinged top flap is constrained by an actuator, and in the second position the hinged top flap is unconstrained by the actuator. When the hinged top flap is in the second position, airflow over the top surface of the aircraft wing acts to pull the spoiler into the deployed position.