Aircraft Wing Box Layout for High-Lift Support and Fuel Flexibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft wing designs with high lift systems face constraints in structural stability and aerodynamics due to the need for fluid-tight spars that delimit fuel tanks, limiting flexibility in fuel storage and energy carrier configurations.
Innovation Solution
A wing design with a support device for high lift control surfaces attached inside or reaching into the wing box, allowing for non-fluid-tight spars and improved structural stability, enabling alternative energy storage configurations such as pressure tanks or electrical storage devices, and optimizing the spar placement for aerodynamics and structural stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If spars are designed as fluid-tight structures to delimit fuel tanks, then fuel storage capability is improved, but flexibility in support device placement and structural design is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the wing box into multiple compartments separated by bulkheads, allowing different regions to serve different functions. Fuel tanks are contained in specific compartments while other areas are available for support devices, actuation mechanisms, and energy storage systems, thus resolving the conflict between fuel storage and design flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the fuel storage function from the spars themselves, allowing spars to be non-fluid-tight and serve primarily structural purposes. Fuel is instead stored in dedicated tanks within the wing box compartments, freeing the spars to be used for support devices and other mechanical functions without fluid-tight constraints.
2Adaptability or versatility
If spars are made non-fluid-tight to improve support device placement flexibility, then adaptability is improved, but fuel storage configuration is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The wing box structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support through spars, contains fuel in dedicated tanks within compartments, houses support devices and actuation mechanisms, and accommodates alternative energy storage systems. This multi-functionality resolves the trade-off between flexibility and fuel storage.
3Stability of the object's composition
If support devices are placed inside the wing box, then structural stability is improved, but installation space availability is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The wing box is segmented into multiple compartments using bulkheads, creating distinct zones for different functions. This segmentation provides adequate installation space for support devices and actuation mechanisms within the structurally stable wing box interior, resolving the conflict between structural integrity and space availability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A wing for an aircraft is proposed, comprising a leading edge as a first chordwise edge, a trailing edge as a second chordwise edge, an upper skin extending between the leading edge and the trailing edge, a lower skin extending between the leading edge and the trailing edge, at least one spar extending between the upper skin and the lower skin in a spanwise direction to create wing box with the upper skin and the lower skin, and at least one high lift control surface movably supported at at least one of the chordwise edges by a support device, wherein the support device is attached inside or reaches into the wing box at least partially.