Track-Carriage Trailing Edge Flap for Independent Lift and Roll Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing actuation means for combined multifunctional trailing edge flaps in aircraft wings fail to satisfactorily provide both high-lift and aileron functions, limiting the versatility and efficiency of aircraft operations.
Innovation Solution
An actuation assembly with a track and carriage system that allows independent translation and rotation of the flap, featuring a flap-to-carriage hinging axis at the leading edge, enabling full aileron functionality in any flap position and supporting Fowler motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional separate high-lift devices and ailerons are used, then each function can be optimized independently, but the aircraft structure becomes more complex and weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines traditionally separate high-lift devices and ailerons into a single multifunctional trailing edge flap. The flap can operate in different modes: as a high-lift device when extended rearward, as an aileron when rotated about its span, and in intermediate positions. This merging eliminates the need for separate control surfaces, reducing structural complexity while maintaining full functional versatility through a single integrated flap system.
Solution Approach 2:
The trailing edge flap is designed as a universal control surface that can perform multiple functions: high-lift generation, roll control (aileron function), and intermediate positioning. By making the flap multi-functional, the patent reduces the number of separate components needed while ensuring that all traditional functions are preserved and can be independently controlled through the same flap structure.
2Device complexity
If a combined multifunctional trailing edge flap is used, then structure complexity is reduced, but actuation capability is limited compared to separate devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic actuation mechanisms that allow the flap to move in multiple degrees of freedom: translation along the trailing edge for high-lift positioning and rotation about the span for aileron control. The actuation system can dynamically adjust the flap's position and orientation to achieve any combination of high-lift and roll control functions, providing actuation versatility that matches or exceeds separate devices while maintaining structural simplicity.
3Productivity
If the flap is extended for high-lift function, then drag increases, but aileron functionality is limited to specific positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the flap's control capabilities into independent rotational and translational movements. The flap can be rotated about its span (ailerons) at any position along the trailing edge, including when extended for high-lift. This segmentation of movement types allows aileron functionality to be maintained independently of the flap's longitudinal position, enabling roll control even when the flap is extended, while minimizing drag through optimized flap positioning.
Data Source
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AI summary
Actuation assembly for a trailing edge flap of an aircraft wing, comprising: a track fixable to the aircraft wing; a carriage arranged on the track so as to be movable across a range of carriage positions along the track; a flap-to-carriage connector configured to hingeably connect the carriage to a leading edge of the flap so as to determine a flap-to-carriage hinging axis extending transverse to a main track direction of the track at the leading edge of the flap; and a first actuator configured to controllably rotate the flap with respect to the carriage about the flap-to-carriage hinging axis, wherein the actuation assembly is configured to enable the flap, when connected, to be adjusted with respect to the wing between a retracted flap position and an extended flap position by moving the carriage within the range of carriage positions along the track.