Wing Fold Controller Automates Wingtip Position for Airport Compatibility
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft designs face challenges in achieving fuel efficiency and flexibility in wingspan, as longer wingspans improve fuel efficiency but pose limitations in airport operations due to restricted taxiway and gate spacing, while winglets offer limited efficiency gains without increasing wingspan.
Innovation Solution
A wing fold system controlled by a wing fold controller that automatically transitions wingtips between flight and folded positions based on aircraft status and environmental factors, allowing for reduced wingspan during ground operations while maintaining efficiency during flight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If longer wingspan is used to improve fuel efficiency, then fuel burn per seat-mile is reduced, but airport operations are limited due to restricted taxiway and gate spacing
Solution Approach 1:
The wingtip is designed to be movable between extended and retracted positions, allowing the wingspan to dynamically adapt to different operational requirements. During flight, the wingtip extends to provide long wingspan for fuel efficiency, while during ground operations, it retracts to accommodate airport infrastructure limitations
Solution Approach 2:
The wing structure is divided into fixed and movable segments, with the wingtip portion capable of independent movement. This segmentation allows the main wing structure to remain fixed while only the tip section adjusts position, enabling wingspan modification without redesigning the entire wing assembly
2Loss of energy
If winglets are used to improve fuel efficiency without increasing wingspan, then fuel burn is reduced, but the efficiency gain is limited compared to extended wingspan
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of static winglets providing limited efficiency improvement, the invention employs dynamically adjustable wingtips that can extend the wingspan during flight to achieve greater fuel efficiency benefits comparable to true wingspan extension, while maintaining compact configuration when needed
3Ease of operation
If automated wing fold control system is implemented to reduce crew workload, then operational simplicity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wing fold control system operates autonomously by sensing aircraft status (ground or flight mode) and automatically commanding the appropriate wingtip position. The system serves itself by using its own sensors and processors to make control decisions without requiring external pilot input, thereby reducing crew workload while managing complexity through automation
Data Source
AI summary
Illustrative embodiments may provide for an apparatus and method of controlling the folding of a wing. The apparatus may include a sensor, an actuator, and a wing fold controller. The method may include receiving a status of at least one of an aircraft and a wing fold system of the aircraft by the wing fold controller of the wing fold system. The method may also include receiving an automated command by the wing fold controller in response to receiving the status. The method may also include operating the wing fold system by the wing fold controller based on the automated command and the status. The method may also include transitioning a wingtip of a wing of the aircraft to one of a flight position and a folded position by an actuator of the wing fold system in response to commands from the wing fold controller.