Variable-Shape Aerodynamic Fairing for Aircraft Flap Actuator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aerodynamic fairings on aircraft experience vibrations and increased load due to engine blasts during take-off and landing, leading to higher flow resistance and weight when trying to mitigate these issues with reduced dimensions or reinforcements.
Innovation Solution
A variable-shape aerodynamic fairing body that adjusts its position relative to the engine blast by retracting or tilting modules, ensuring it remains outside the blast zone across all flight phases, coupled with the flap adjustment mechanism to reduce additional drive elements and maintain aerodynamic efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the fairing is made smaller or shorter to prevent vibrations and additional load from engine blast, then the load and vibrations are reduced, but the flow resistance increases due to deviation from aerodynamic specifications
Solution Approach 1:
The fairing employs variable geometry through telescopic modules that can extend or retract along the longitudinal axis. During take-off and landing phases, the fairing retracts to minimize exposure to engine blast and reduce vibrations. During cruising phases, the fairing extends to its full aerodynamic length to optimize flow characteristics and minimize drag, thus resolving the contradiction between load resistance and flow resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The fairing is divided into multiple telescopic modules that can independently adjust their extension state. This segmentation allows the fairing to adapt its length dynamically, providing both a compact configuration for high-load phases and an extended configuration for aerodynamic efficiency during cruising.
2Strength
If reinforcing elements are added to the fairing to withstand additional load from engine blast, then the load resistance is improved, but the weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding permanent reinforcing elements that increase weight, the invention uses active geometry adjustment. The telescopic modules allow the fairing to dynamically adapt its structure, presenting a smaller profile during high-load phases to reduce vibrations and loads, thereby eliminating the need for additional reinforcement and avoiding weight increase.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the fairing dimensions are reduced to avoid engine blast during take-off and landing, then vibrations are reduced, but the aerodynamic performance during cruising deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The fairing transitions between two primary states: a retracted state during take-off and landing to minimize engine blast exposure and vibrations, and an extended state during cruising to maintain optimal aerodynamic dimensions. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by optimizing the fairing geometry for each specific flight phase.
4Stability of the object's composition
If additional weights are attached to the fairing to reduce oscillations by changing resonant frequency, then the vibrations are reduced, but the weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding weights to alter resonant frequency, the invention uses geometric adaptation. By retracting the telescopic modules during phases when the fairing is exposed to engine blast, the fairing naturally reduces its exposure to vibrational forces and thermal loads, achieving stability without additional weight.
Data Source
AI summary
An aerodynamic fairing body for an aircraft, a corresponding aircraft and a corresponding method of manufacture for an aerodynamic fairing body are described. The fairing body is configured so as to accommodate a flap adjustment mechanism. Further, the fairing body is configured so as to be arranged at a predetermined distance from an engine of the aircraft, which produces a blast which varies depending on the flight phase. Furthermore, the fairing body is configured so as to be varied in shape in such a way that the fairing body is located outside the blast of the engine permanently. In other words, the fairing body can be varied in shape in such a way that it is located outside the engine blast in any flight phase of the aircraft.