Uniform-Depth Wing Structures Supporting Movable Tip Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of providing a wing structure that efficiently accommodates and distributes flight and ground loads while supporting movable wing tip devices without adversely affecting aerodynamic efficiency, particularly in designs with increasing wing aspect ratios and decreasing wing box thicknesses.
Innovation Solution
A wing assembly design featuring a second span portion with uniform depth and chord, facilitating deeper wing boxes at the interface with wing tip devices, which allows for more effective load transfer and actuator placement, reducing the need for external mechanisms and increasing fuel capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If wing aspect ratio is increased to improve aerodynamic efficiency, then wing efficiency is improved, but the spanwise extent of wing tip devices grows proportionally greater, making it harder to accommodate joint arrangements and actuating mechanisms without adversely affecting aerodynamic efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The wing structure employs different depth characteristics in different span portions: the first span portion has gradually reducing depth to maintain aerodynamic efficiency, while the second span portion has uniform or substantially uniform depth to provide structural support for joint arrangements and actuating mechanisms. This local differentiation allows the wing to simultaneously achieve high aspect ratio efficiency and accommodate the necessary complexity for movable wing tip devices.
2Weight of moving object
If wing box thickness is decreased to reduce weight, then weight is reduced, but space for accommodating joints and actuating mechanisms is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The wing structure has gradually reducing depth in the first span portion to minimize weight, but provides uniform or substantially uniform depth in the second span portion to create adequate space for joint arrangements and actuating mechanisms. This localized variation in depth allows the wing to be lightweight overall while providing necessary volume in specific regions for mechanical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a second span portion with uniform depth as an additional dimensional feature beyond the continuously tapering first span portion. This creates a multi-dimensional depth profile that simultaneously optimizes for weight reduction in the majority of the wing span while providing sufficient volume in the outboard region for accommodating joints and actuators.
3Strength
If joint arrangements are made more robust to handle increasing flight loads, then load bearing capacity is improved, but the space required for such joints increases, adversely affecting aerodynamic efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The wing structure provides uniform or substantially uniform depth in the second span portion to accommodate robust joint arrangements that can handle increasing flight loads, while the first span portion maintains gradually reducing depth to preserve aerodynamic efficiency. This localized structural reinforcement allows strong joints without compromising overall wing area or aerodynamic performance.
Data Source
AI summary
A wing structure is disclosed having a first span portion including a depth that reduces in a spanwise outward direction, and a second span portion outboard of the first span portion and having a substantially uniform spanwise depth D3. The second span portion may be non-tapered, and may include parallel fore and aft spar portions. In some embodiments the non-tapered portion supports a movable wing tip device. A wing assembly and an aircraft are also disclosed.