Trailing Edge Flap Segmentation for Lift
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Solution Overview
Problem
Single slotted trailing edge flaps on aircraft wings face performance losses at higher deflections required for landing, limiting their effectiveness for higher weight variants, necessitating different flap arrangements which is undesirable.
Innovation Solution
A single slotted trailing edge flap arrangement with a main flap element and an auxiliary flap element that moves translationalally to increase planform area, maintaining sealing and using a drop hinge mechanism and actuator for deployment, allowing the flap to adapt to varying lift requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single slotted flap arrangement is used, then the structure remains simple and lightweight, but lift performance is insufficient at higher deflections required for landing on higher weight variants
Solution Approach 1:
The flap is divided into a main flap element and an auxiliary flap element that can move independently. The auxiliary flap element is sealed to and supported by the main flap element, allowing it to translate relative to the main element. This segmentation enables the flap to increase its planform area when needed while maintaining a simple single-slot structure, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and lift performance.
2Area of moving object
If the auxiliary flap element moves translationally relative to the main flap element, then the planform area increases to generate more lift, but the sealing between elements must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary flap element is designed to translate dynamically relative to the main flap element during deployment. This translational movement allows the planform area to increase while the sealing arrangement maintains integrity throughout the range of motion. The dynamic configuration enables the flap to adapt its size to varying lift requirements without compromising the sealed single-slot structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A single slotted trailing edge flap arrangement for an aircraft wing, comprising a main flap element and an auxiliary flap element sealed to and supported by the main flap element for movement between a retracted and an extended position relative to the main flap element so as to vary the planform area of the flap. The auxiliary flap element remains sealed to the main flap element when in its extended position, and movement of the auxiliary flap element relative to the main flap element is solely translational. The auxiliary flap element may be translationally deployed from the main flap element by sliding the auxiliary flap element out from the underside of the main flap element. Also, a method of operating the flap arrangement.