Aircraft Tail Leading Edge Reinforcement for Bird Strike Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft tail designs for anti-bird strike performance suffer from high manufacturing costs and inadequate aerodynamic shape preservation due to large deformation and damage during bird strikes, with existing solutions either breaking down or deforming excessively.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a leading edge reinforcement with an isosceles triangular shape, made from aluminum alloy, spanwisely distributed inside the tail leading edge, which segments the bird's energy and disperses it obliquely, maintaining the aerodynamic shape and protecting internal structures while being cost-effective and simple to manufacture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high-strength composite material and sandwich structure are used for tail leading edge, then anti-bird strike performance is improved, but manufacturing cost increases and structure deforms excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The tail leading edge is divided into multiple functional layers: a outer skin layer for aerodynamic shape, an intermediate reinforcement layer with triangular reinforcement elements for energy absorption, and an inner structure layer for structural support. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function optimally while controlling overall cost and deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
Triangular reinforcement elements are strategically positioned at critical locations within the tail leading edge where bird strike impact is most likely to occur. These localized reinforcements provide enhanced strength and energy absorption capacity precisely where needed, rather than uniformly strengthening the entire structure, thereby reducing overall manufacturing cost while maintaining anti-bird strike performance.
2Reliability
If sacrificial structure is adopted to absorb bird strike energy, then anti-bird strike performance is improved, but aerodynamic shape is compromised due to large deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The structure is segmented into an outer skin layer that maintains aerodynamic shape and an inner reinforcement layer that absorbs impact energy through controlled deformation of triangular elements. This segmentation allows the outer shape to remain intact while internal structures deform to absorb energy.
Solution Approach 2:
The triangular reinforcement elements are pre-positioned within the structure to act as energy-absorbing cushions during bird strike. These elements are designed to deform in a controlled manner under impact, absorbing kinetic energy before it can damage critical internal structures or compromise the overall aerodynamic shape.
3Reliability
If existing anti-bird strike structures are used, then bird strike resistance is improved, but structure weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
Triangular reinforcement elements are placed only at specific locations within the tail leading edge where bird strike impact is most critical, rather than uniformly distributing reinforcement throughout the entire structure. This localized approach provides effective bird strike resistance while minimizing unnecessary weight in areas where additional strength is not required.
Solution Approach 2:
The tail leading edge employs a composite structure combining different materials with complementary properties: outer skin material for aerodynamic shape and surface integrity, intermediate reinforcement material for energy absorption, and inner structure material for structural support. This composite approach optimizes the weight-to-strength ratio, providing bird strike resistance with minimal weight increase.
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 effectively enhances anti-bird strike performance by minimizing deformation of the leading edge skin, maintaining aerodynamic integrity, and reducing the weight of the reinforcement, thus meeting both anti-strike and aerodynamic requirements while being economically viable.
Implementation Method 1
the bird represents predictable hydromechanical behavior under a high speed strike
Implementation Method 2
The leading edge reinforcement segments the bird by a triangle support of the structure itself, after the tail is struck by a bird, and the leading edge skin sticks to the triangle support structure to segment energy of the bird
Implementation Method 3
The leading edge reinforcement has a shape of an isosceles triangle... made from an aluminum alloy... minimizing deformation of the leading edge skin
Implementation Method 4
the structure is obviously destroyed... the leading edge is not broken down but deformed tremendously
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a tail for improving anti-bird strike performance of an aircraft. A leading edge reinforcement having a shape of an isosceles triangle is located inside a tail leading edge. The leading edge reinforcement is spanwisely fixed in sections between respective spans formed by the wing rib inside the tail leading edge along the tail of the aircraft. An apex angle of the leading edge reinforcement is the same as an apex angle or arc transition of the tail leading edge skin. The leading edge reinforcement is fixedly connected with the small front beam by a leading edge reinforcement fixed surface. The present invention additionally installs a leading edge reinforcement in the original tail of the aircraft.