Aircraft Wing Leading Edge Rib Analysis Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current numerical modeling and analysis techniques, such as finite element modeling, face challenges in efficiently extracting geometric and inertial properties from complex structures like aircraft wing leading edge ribs, requiring excessive computing resources and manual techniques that are time-consuming and prone to errors.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that automate the recognition of geometric and inertial properties of leading edge ribs using a solid model, reducing the time required for analysis and design by up to 80% by extracting and analyzing these properties from three-dimensional models, and predicting failure rates under external loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual techniques are used to identify geometry for extraction from solid models, then geometric and inertial properties can be obtained, but the process requires an excessive amount of time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual identification techniques with an automated computer-based system that uses numerical modeling and finite element analysis to extract geometric and inertial properties from solid models, eliminating the time-consuming manual process while maintaining extraction accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables the solid model itself to provide the necessary geometric and inertial properties through automated computational processes, where the model serves its own analysis needs without requiring external manual intervention for property identification
2Measurement precision
If manual techniques are used to extract geometry from solid models, then geometric properties can be identified, but the process is prone to errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces error-prone manual identification with an automated computer-based numerical modeling system that systematically extracts geometric and inertial properties through algorithmic processes, eliminating human error while maintaining measurement precision
3Reliability
If traditional finite element modeling is used to analyze complex structures like leading edge ribs, then structural integrity can be assessed, but excessive computing resources are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and utilizes existing geometric and inertial properties directly from the solid model to create the finite element model, eliminating the need to recompute these properties and thereby reducing the computing resources required while maintaining structural integrity assessment accuracy
4Measurement precision
If detailed solid models are imported into finite element models for analysis, then accurate geometric details can be obtained, but the process can be unduly complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex manual process of importing and processing detailed solid models with an automated numerical modeling system that directly computes geometric and inertial properties from the solid model data, maintaining geometric accuracy while simplifying the overall modeling process through automation
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus is provided for analysis of a leading edge rib of a fixed leading edge section of an aircraft wing. The apparatus may identify geometric or inertial properties of a plurality of stiffeners of the rib in which respective stiffeners are represented by a collection of geometry within a solid model of the rib, and perform an analysis to predict a failure rate of the leading edge rib under an external load. From the failure rate, the apparatus may determine a structural integrity of the leading edge rib under the external load. Identifying the properties may include, extracting a section cut of the geometry that corresponds to and has one or more properties of the respective stiffener, and identifying the properties of the cross-section and thereby the respective stiffener based on a correlation of the cross-section to a generic profile of a plurality of different cross-sections.