Variable Stiffness Aircraft Support for Ground Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ground-based aircraft testing systems face limitations in accurately simulating flight conditions while statically supporting aircraft, often resulting in unpredictable movements and high costs due to the use of airbags or soft springs.
Innovation Solution
A variable stiffness support system comprising a pad, a spring, an actuator, and a processor that determines and controls the pad's movement based on sensor data to statically support the aircraft while enabling movement above a threshold frequency, effectively simulating flight conditions and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If airbags or soft springs are used to support the aircraft, then the aircraft can be statically supported on the ground, but the support becomes unstable and unpredictable movements occur
Solution Approach 1:
The support system transitions from a static, passive support (airbags or soft springs) to a dynamic, active support system. The actuator continuously adjusts the stiffness of the support based on feedback from sensors, allowing the system to adapt to changing conditions and maintain both stability and predictability. The controller modifies support characteristics in real-time, converting a static system into a dynamically controllable one.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that continuously monitor the position and movement of the aircraft, feeding this information back to the controller. The controller processes this feedback and adjusts the actuator accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system. This feedback mechanism ensures that the support remains stable and predictable by constantly correcting deviations from the desired state.
2Measurement precision
If in-flight testing is used to obtain accurate aircraft data, then flight conditions are realistically tested, but the testing becomes expensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a ground-based copy of flight conditions by using the variable stiffness support to simulate the aerodynamic and structural characteristics of flight. Instead of requiring actual flight testing, the apparatus replicates flight-like conditions on the ground, allowing accurate data collection without the time and cost associated with in-flight testing. The support system mimics the behavior of the aircraft during flight, providing a realistic testing environment.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid support is used to statically support the aircraft, then the aircraft is stable, but movement above threshold frequency is restricted and flight conditions cannot be simulated
Solution Approach 1:
The support system transitions from a static, fixed-stiffness support to a dynamic, variable-stiffness support. The actuator continuously adjusts the stiffness characteristics based on feedback from sensors, allowing the system to adapt between providing rigid stability when needed and enabling movement when simulating flight conditions. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between stability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical parameters of the support, specifically the stiffness characteristic, from fixed to variable. By controlling the actuator to adjust the spring stiffness dynamically, the system can transition between rigid support mode (for stability) and flexible support mode (for simulating flight movements). This parameter change allows the support to fulfill both contradictory requirements at different times.
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
The system allows for accurate and stable data collection during ground-based testing, reducing the need for expensive in-flight testing by realistically simulating flight conditions and maintaining the aircraft in a stable state.
Implementation Method 1
a spring operatively coupled to the pad
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for variable stiffness supports in aircraft testing are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes a variable stiffness support including a pad to contact and support the aircraft, and a spring operatively coupled to the pad. The apparatus also includes an actuator operatively coupled to the support, a sensor, at least one memory, machine executable instructions and at least one processor. The at least one processor is to execute the instructions to determine at least one of a movement or a displacement of the pad based on information from the sensor, and control movement of the actuator based on the determined at least one movement or distance of the pad to statically support the aircraft while enabling movement of the pad above a threshold frequency.