Transitional Element Bridging Flight Control Surface Gaps

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Solution Overview

Problem

The gap between flight control surfaces and non-movable portions of an aircraft's airframe creates discontinuous surfaces during movement, leading to turbulent airflow and noise, which increase drag and reduce fuel efficiency and are undesirable.

Innovation Solution

A transitional element with movable ribs that span the gap, each rib pivoting to match the contour of the flight control surface, forming a smooth transitional surface by deflecting more near the moving surface and less near the non-movable surface, reducing turbulence and noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a gap exists between flight control surfaces and airframe to allow movement, then the flight control surface can move relative to the airframe, but a discontinuous surface is formed generating turbulent airflow and noise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemovement capabilityVSAvoidturbulent airflow and noise

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A transitional element is introduced as an intermediary component between the flight control surface and the airframe. This transitional element includes a contour that corresponds to the flight control surface and spans the gap, creating a continuous surface that eliminates turbulent airflow and noise while still allowing the flight control surface to move relative to the airframe.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a gap exists between flight control surfaces and airframe, then movement is enabled, but drag increases and fuel economy decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemovement capabilityVSAvoidfuel economy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The transitional element acts as a mediator that fills the gap between the flight control surface and airframe. By providing a continuous surface through this intermediary structure, aerodynamic drag is reduced, which directly improves fuel economy while maintaining the movement capability of the flight control surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a gap exists between flight control surfaces and airframe, then control surface movement is possible, but noise is generated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemovement capabilityVSAvoidnoise

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The transitional element serves as an intermediary structure that spans the gap and provides a continuous surface. This eliminates the source of noise generation from the discontinuous surface while preserving the ability of the flight control surface to move relative to the airframe.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3135579B1Mitigation of surface discontinuities between flight control surfaces and an airframe of an aircraft

Publication Date: 2020.01.29 THE BOEING CO

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AI summary

Embodiments provide a transitional element that bridges a gap between an edge of a flight control surface and an edge of a non-movable portion of an airframe. In one embodiment, a transitional element bridges a gap between an edge of a flight control surface and an edge of a non-movable portion of an airframe. The transitional element includes a plurality of ribs that span the gap. Each of the plurality of ribs has a contour that corresponds to the flight control surface and is configured to pivot a portion of a rotated angle of the flight control surface to generate a transitional surface across the gap. (Fig. 4)