Trimmable Horizontal Stabilizer with Movable Areas
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional horizontal stabilizers in aircraft lack efficient mechanisms for varying lift and pitch control over a wide range, relying on linear spindle drives which restrict design flexibility and aerodynamic profile variation.
Innovation Solution
A trimmable horizontal stabilizer with a load-bearing structure and movable areas that can independently adjust the aerodynamic profile, using torsion shafts and actuators to change the curvature of the stabilizer's surface, allowing for variable lift production and reduced fuselage height.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional spindle drives are used to trim the horizontal stabilizer, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the lift variation range is limited and design flexibility is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The horizontal stabilizer is divided into a load-bearing structure and movable areas that can be independently actuated. This segmentation allows different portions of the stabilizer to be trimmed independently, significantly expanding the lift variation range beyond conventional single-axis rotation approaches.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a static, fixed-profile horizontal stabilizer to a dynamic configuration where movable areas can change the aerodynamic profile in flight. This enables continuous adaptation of lift characteristics during different flight phases.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the horizontal stabilizer is trimmed over a wide angle range, then pitch control is improved, but the fuselage height must be increased to accommodate the mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of achieving trim range through large rotation angles about the lateral axis (conventional approach), the invention uses longitudinal movement of movable areas relative to the load-bearing structure. This dimensional change allows wide effective trim range without increasing fuselage height.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable areas are positioned within the overall horizontal stabilizer structure, nested between the load-bearing structure and the elevator. This nested arrangement allows the trim mechanism to operate within the existing fuselage height envelope.
3Adaptability or versatility
If movable areas are added to the horizontal stabilizer for profile variation, then aerodynamic flexibility is improved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Only specific movable areas are made flexible while the load-bearing structure remains rigid. This localized application of flexibility allows aerodynamic profile variation without requiring the entire stabilizer structure to be complex and movable.
Solution Approach 2:
Actuators serve as intermediaries between the control system and the movable areas, providing a simple mechanical interface that translates control inputs into profile changes without requiring complex direct coupling mechanisms.
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
Enables precise control of lift and pitch angle adjustments, improving aircraft stability and reducing physical height requirements, while allowing for a more flexible and efficient aerodynamic profile variation.
Implementation Method 1
horizontal stabilizer having a predetermined aerodynamic profile... movable areas which are connected to the load-bearing structure such that they can move, and can be moved independently of the elevator for trimming of the horizontal stabilizer, by variation of the aerodynamic profile
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
A trimmable horizontal stabilizer, which is provided adjacent to the fuselage (10) of an aircraft and has a predetermined aerodynamic profile, and adjacent to which a movable elevator (21) is arranged. The horizontal stabilizer (20) has a load-bearing structure (22) which extends in the span direction and is firmly connected to the fuselage of the aircraft, and movable areas (23, 24) which are connected to the load-bearing structure (22) such that they can move and can be moved independently of the elevator (21) in order to trim the horizontal stabilizer (20) by varying the aerodynamic profile.