Aircraft Wing Closure Panel for Aerodynamic Gap Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aircraft wing designs with movable control surfaces face challenges in maintaining optimal aerodynamic properties due to gaps and disturbances in the wing surface caused by the mounting arrangement of the control surfaces.

Innovation Solution

The aircraft wing features a movable trailing edge flight control surface that can be retracted, extended rearwardly, and rotated, with a closure panel that extends from the main wing to the control surface to provide an airflow surface, reducing drag and improving aerodynamics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a movable control surface is mounted on the main wing to vary wing area and camber, then aerodynamic performance can be optimized for different flight conditions, but gaps and surface disturbances are created that degrade aerodynamic properties

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevariable wing area and camberVSAvoidgaps and surface disturbances

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A closure panel is introduced as an intermediary element between the main wing and the movable control surface. This closure panel moves with the control surface and fills the gap between them, preventing air flow disturbances while allowing the control surface to vary the wing geometry. The closure panel acts as a mediator that maintains aerodynamic cleanliness during movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The closure panel is designed to be movable relative to the main wing, moving in coordination with the control surface. This dynamic arrangement ensures that the closure panel continuously maintains its sealing function as the control surface changes position, rather than being a static structure that would create fixed gaps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the control surface is extended rearwardly to increase wing area, then lift can be increased for takeoff and landing, but drag increases due to gaps and aerodynamic disturbances

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelift generationVSAvoiddrag

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The closure panel serves as a mediator that eliminates the gap between the main wing and the extended control surface. By filling this gap, the closure panel prevents air flow separation and reduces vortex-induced drag, thereby minimizing energy loss while still allowing the control surface to extend for increased lift generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The potential harm of the gap between the control surface and main wing is converted into a benefit by using the closure panel to seal this gap. The closure panel transforms what would be a harmful aerodynamic disturbance into a clean, continuous airflow surface, reducing drag while maintaining the geometric benefits of the extended control surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the control surface is rotated to change camber, then aerodynamic efficiency can be improved, but gaps and surface irregularities are created that disrupt airflow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevariable camberVSAvoidclean aerodynamic shape

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The closure panel is designed to move dynamically with the control surface rotation. As the control surface rotates to change camber, the closure panel rotates accordingly to maintain continuous contact with both the main wing and control surface. This dynamic movement ensures the aerodynamic shape remains clean and continuous throughout the rotation range.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The closure panel acts as an intermediary that bridges the main wing and the rotating control surface. During rotation, the closure panel maintains its sealing function by moving with the control surface, ensuring that the gap remains closed and the aerodynamic shape remains continuous, thus preventing airflow disruption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12214879B2Aircraft wing with trailing edge flight control surface

Publication Date: 2025.02.04 AIRBUS OPERATIONS LTD

AI summary

An aircraft wing having a main wing and a trailing edge flight control surface movable between a retracted position, a first extended position in which the control surface is positioned rearwardly in the chord wise direction relative to its retracted position, and a second extended position in which the control surface is rotated relative to its retracted position. A closure panel, mounted to the main wing, extends from the main wing to the control surface, to provide an air flow surface between the main wing and control surface, both when the control surface is in its retracted position and its first extended position. The closure panel is movable, relative to the control surface, to an open configuration in which it opens an airflow passage provided between the control surface and an opposed surface of the aircraft wing when the control surface is in its second extended position.