Flight Control Actuator Mounted on Wing Panel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flight control actuators are challenging to integrate into 'thin wing' aircraft due to limited space, as they require a large wing cavity for housing, which is not available in thinner wing structures.
Innovation Solution
The actuator is mounted within the flight control panel rather than the wing structure, using a connecting rod to attach to the wing, allowing for pivot movement and incorporating a slider to mitigate radial loads, with an optional reaction link to distribute loads externally.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the actuator is mounted inside the wing structure, then the flight control panel can be moved relative to the wing structure, but the actuator cannot be accommodated in thin wing aircraft due to limited space
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator housing is extracted from the wing structure and relocated to the flight control panel itself. This allows the actuator to be positioned in a location with sufficient space even on thin-wing aircraft, while still achieving the same flight control function. The patent describes moving the actuator from the conventional location inside the wing to be attached to the trailing edge of the flight control panel.
2Volume of moving object
If the actuator is relocated to the flight control panel, then space constraints are resolved, but the actuator becomes more exposed to external environmental factors
Solution Approach 1:
A connecting rod is introduced as an intermediary element between the actuator on the flight control panel and the wing structure. This connecting rod transmits the force from the actuator to the wing while allowing the actuator to remain in its relocated position, effectively mediating between the new actuator location and the original functional requirement.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a connecting rod is used to attach the actuator to the wing structure, then the actuator can be positioned on the panel, but the connecting rod must withstand additional mechanical loads
Solution Approach 1:
The flight control panel is configured to pivot about a pivot point, creating a rotational movement dimension. The connecting rod is positioned and oriented to effectively transmit force through this rotational pivot, utilizing the dimensional relationship between the actuator, connecting rod, and pivot point to achieve mechanical advantage and reduce the load on the connecting rod.
Data Source
AI summary
A wing panel actuator assembly includes: an actuator housing; an actuator piston arranged in the actuator housing and axially movable relative to the actuator housing; a connecting rod attached, at one end, to an end of the piston extending from the actuator housing; the actuator housing and piston arranged to be accommodated inside a movable panel of an aircraft wing. The connecting rod is arranged to be attached, in use, at its end opposite the one end attached to the piston, to a wing structure of the aircraft wing, the panel being pivotable about a pivot point P relative to the wing structure by means of the actuator piston.