Wing Flap Fairing Damper for Aerodynamic Flutter Mitigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft wing flaps experience undesirable aerodynamic flutter due to operational failures of actuation mechanisms, leading to vibrations, especially in thin constructions, and existing mitigation techniques increase cost, weight, and reduce performance by requiring thicker materials or altered flap dimensions.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a fairing with an actuator and damper system, where the damper, configured with a piston rod and hydraulic fluid, is used to dampen flap movement between the wing and flap, mitigating flutter without increasing weight or complexity, and operates passively during normal conditions and actively when the actuator fails.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If existing flutter mitigation techniques (thicker materials or altered flap dimensions) are used, then aerodynamic flutter is reduced, but weight increases and performance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
A damper system is introduced as an intermediary component between the flap and the wing structure. The damper includes a piston rod coupled to the flap and a cylinder coupled to the wing, with hydraulic fluid providing damping force. This intermediary device absorbs flutter vibrations without requiring changes to the flap's structural materials or dimensions, thereby mitigating flutter while maintaining original weight and performance characteristics.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If existing flutter mitigation techniques (thicker materials or altered flap dimensions) are used, then aerodynamic flutter is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The damper system serves as a separate intermediary component that does not require modifying the flap's structural design. The piston rod couples to the flap and the cylinder couples to the wing, creating an independent damping system that adds minimal complexity compared to redesigning the entire flap structure with thicker materials or altered dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The damper utilizes hydraulic fluid and a piston-cylinder mechanism to provide damping force. This hydraulic system offers a compact and efficient solution for flutter mitigation, avoiding the need for complex structural modifications to the flap while providing effective vibration control through fluid-based damping.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a damper system is added to mitigate flutter, then aerodynamic flutter is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The damper system is designed to be dynamically active only when needed for flutter mitigation. The piston rod can move relative to the cylinder, allowing the damper to engage and disengage as required. This dynamic capability enables the system to provide damping force during flutter conditions while maintaining simplicity during normal operation, minimizing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The damper system changes its operational parameters based on flight conditions. The hydraulic fluid pressure and piston rod position vary dynamically to provide appropriate damping force. This parameter variability allows the system to adapt to different flutter conditions without requiring a permanently complex mechanical structure, optimizing the balance between effectiveness and simplicity.
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
This solution effectively reduces aerodynamic flutter without adding weight or complexity, maintaining performance by providing sufficient damping force to resist oscillations without rigidly resisting motion, thus avoiding the need for thicker materials or altered flap designs.
Implementation Method 1
the damper, configured with a piston rod and hydraulic fluid, is used to dampen flap movement between the wing and flap, mitigating flutter
Data Source
AI summary
Example methods and apparatus for mitigating aerodynamic flutter of aircraft wing flaps are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a fairing, an actuator, and a damper. The fairing is located on a bottom side of a wing of an aircraft. The actuator is disposed in the fairing. The actuator is coupled to and extends between the wing and a flap of the wing. The damper is disposed in the fairing. The damper is coupled to and extends between the fixed wing and the moveable flap.