Wing Fold Controller for Dynamic Wingspan Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft designs face challenges in achieving fuel efficiency and reduced wingspan for airport compatibility, as larger aircraft with longer wingspans are more efficient but often exceed taxiway and gate spacing limitations, and existing wing modifications like winglets do not fully address these issues.
Innovation Solution
A wing fold system controlled by a wing fold controller that can automatically fold and extend wingtips based on aircraft status and environmental conditions, allowing for a longer wingspan during flight and reduced span during ground operations, thereby enhancing fuel efficiency and operational flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If aircraft are designed with longer wingspans to improve fuel efficiency, then fuel burn per seat-mile is reduced, but the aircraft cannot operate at airports with limited taxiway spacing and gate locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the wingspan adjustable rather than fixed. The wingtip folding mechanism allows the wingspan to dynamically change between an extended configuration for fuel-efficient flight and a folded configuration for operating at airports with limited ground space. This resolves the contradiction by enabling the aircraft to adapt its wingspan to different operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the wingtip into movable sections that can be independently folded. Instead of treating the entire wing as a rigid structure, the wingtip is segmented into portions that can be folded upward or downward, allowing the aircraft to reduce its wingspan for ground operations while maintaining a long wingspan for flight operations.
2Use of energy by moving object
If winglets are added to improve fuel efficiency without increasing wingspan, then some efficiency is gained, but the benefit is not as significant as extending the actual wingspan
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than adding static winglets, the patent implements a dynamic wingtip folding system that actively adjusts the wingspan based on operational needs. This provides superior fuel efficiency compared to static winglets while managing complexity through automated control systems that monitor aircraft status and environment to determine when folding is appropriate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of wingspan from a fixed value to a variable parameter that can be adjusted between extended and folded states. This allows the aircraft to optimize its aerodynamic properties for fuel efficiency during flight while accommodating ground infrastructure constraints, providing greater benefit than static modifications like winglets.
3Ease of operation
If automated wing fold control systems are implemented to reduce crew workload, then operational simplicity is improved, but mechanical complexity and maintenance needs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wing fold control system operates autonomously by monitoring aircraft status and environmental conditions to automatically determine when wing folding is appropriate. The system serves itself by making decisions without requiring manual intervention from the crew, thereby reducing workload while the automated nature manages the complexity through intelligent control algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system incorporates feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor aircraft status, position, and operational conditions. This feedback allows the system to automatically adjust wing configuration in response to changing conditions, reducing crew workload while managing complexity through closed-loop control that adapts to real-time requirements.
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 an on-ground position by an actuator of the wing fold system in response to commands from the wing fold controller.