Airplane Wing Flap System with Dual Actuators for Lift Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional airplane wing flap systems are complex, unreliable, and heavy, leading to increased drag and a higher risk of damage from bird impacts due to protruding mechanisms, and they lack efficient control over lift coefficients.

Innovation Solution

The integration of an actuator system with a first actuator for moving the flap track member between retracted and extended positions and a second actuator for independent rotation of the flap, allowing for continuous adaptation of the wing's lift coefficient by extending and rotating the flap, while being designed to retract within the wing for reduced drag and minimized space usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a conventional flap system with slidable rail and selection mechanism is used, then the flap can be extended and rotated, but the device becomes complicated, heavy, and unreliable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflap extension and rotation capabilityVSAvoidselection mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flap control system is segmented into two independent actuators: a first actuator controls flap extension/retraction along the track, while a second actuator controls flap rotation about the spanwise axis. This segmentation eliminates the complex selection mechanism while maintaining full flap control capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flap track member serves multiple functions: it guides the flap during extension/retraction, supports the second actuator, and provides a mounting structure for the bearing elements. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If the flap system components protrude below the main wing, then the flap can be operated, but drag increases and damage risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflap operationVSAvoiddrag and damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flap track member is received within the main wing structure when the flap is in its retracted position, nesting the track inside the wing's internal volume. This eliminates protruding components that would increase drag and vulnerability to bird impacts, while the flap can still be operated when extended.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a complex selection mechanism with levers and rods is used, then multiple flap modes can be selected, but the system becomes heavier and less reliable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflap mode selectionVSAvoidmechanical connection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical selection mechanism with levers, rods, and pivotal connections is replaced with an electrical control system using two independent actuators. Each actuator is controlled by a control device that can independently adjust flap position and angle, eliminating mechanical linkages and improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Productivity

If the flap track member is fixed to the main wing, then the flap can be extended, but the flap cannot be retracted to reduce drag

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelift generationVSAvoidaerodynamic drag

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flap track member is made movable relative to the main wing through bearing elements that guide its motion. The first actuator enables the track to slide between retracted and extended positions, allowing the system to dynamically adjust between lift generation (extended) and drag reduction (retracted) states.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9868512B2Airplane wing, an airplane and a flap system

Publication Date: 2018.01.16 FOKKER AEROSTRUCTURES

AI summary

An airplane wing comprises a main wing and a flap system that has a flap at the trailing edge of the main wing. An elongate flap track member is connected to the main wing in such a manner that it can be moved substantially in its longitudinal direction and is guided by supporting bearing elements relative to the main wing between a forward retracted position and a rearward extended position. The flap is rotatably connected to the rear end of the flap track member in such a manner that it can rotate about a rotation axis that extends substantially parallel to the trailing edge of the main wing, so that the flap moves together with the flap track member when the flap track member is moved and so that the flap can be rotated about the rotation axis mechanically independently of the movement of the flap track member. The flap system comprises an actuator system having two actuators. The first actuator is connected to the main wing and has an engagement member that engages the flap or the flap track member for moving the flap together with the flap track member so that the flap track member is move able between its retracted position and its extended position. The second actuator is connected to the flap track member so that the second actuator moves together with the flap track member when the flap track member is moved by means of the first actuator. The second actuator has an engagement member that engages the flap for rotating the flap about the rotation axis.