Aircraft Aerodynamic Component With Standby Load-Transfer Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aerodynamic systems for aircraft flaps lack fail-safe mechanisms to ensure continuous load transfer during decoupling events in coupling units, leading to potential loss of control and increased structural stress.
Innovation Solution
An aerodynamic system with an auxiliary coupling unit that switches from a decoupling state to a coupling state upon detection of a decoupling event in primary coupling units, providing an additional load path and ensuring continuous load transfer through at least two coupling units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single coupling unit is used to connect the aerodynamic component to the support structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability is compromised because a decoupling event causes loss of control
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling system is divided into multiple independent coupling units (first coupling unit, second coupling unit, and auxiliary coupling unit) that can operate independently. Each coupling unit can be decoupled without affecting the others, providing redundant load paths from the aerodynamic component to the support structure, thereby improving reliability while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary coupling unit is pre-configured as a standby coupling path that remains inactive during normal operation but automatically activates upon detection of a decoupling event in the primary coupling units. This beforehand preparation ensures continuous load transfer capability without requiring complex real-time reconfiguration, resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity
2Reliability
If multiple coupling units are used to provide redundant load paths, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling system dynamically reconfigures its load paths based on operational conditions. During normal operation, the primary coupling units (first and second coupling units) actively transfer loads. Upon decoupling of a primary unit, the system automatically engages the auxiliary coupling unit to maintain redundant load paths. This dynamic adaptability provides high reliability while keeping the system configuration manageable through automated switching logic
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary coupling unit is designed with multi-functionality, serving as a standby coupling path that can activate in response to decoupling events in either the first or second coupling unit. This universal design allows a single auxiliary unit to provide redundancy for multiple primary coupling units, improving reliability without proportionally increasing system complexity
3Reliability
If the auxiliary coupling unit remains actively engaged, then the reliability is improved, but the use of energy increases due to continuous operation
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary coupling unit operates periodically rather than continuously - remaining inactive during normal operation and activating only when a decoupling event occurs in the primary coupling units. This periodic engagement maintains load transfer capability and reliability while minimizing energy consumption, as the auxiliary actuator only consumes energy when actually needed to engage and transfer loads
Data Source
AI summary
An aerodynamic system includes a support structure and an aerodynamic component movably coupled to the support structure via first and second coupling units such that the aerodynamic component can be moved relative to the support structure. The first and second coupling units can transfer a load from the aerodynamic component to the support structure. The system further includes an auxiliary coupling unit coupled between the aerodynamic component and the support structure, and configured to switch from a decoupling state to a coupling state, wherein, in the decoupling state, a load transfer via the at least one auxiliary coupling unit is prevented, and wherein, in the coupling state, a load transfer via the at least one auxiliary coupling unit is enabled.