Aircraft Wing Seal Structure for Variable Control Surface Positions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing seals in aircraft fail to maintain effective sealing between fixed aerofoils and movable control surfaces across varying positions, leading to air leakage and detrimental effects on aerodynamic performance, especially during changes in aircraft configuration such as from cruise to high-lift settings.

Innovation Solution

A dual-seal configuration with a first and second seal portion that transmit distinct bending moments to a resilient seal plate, allowing it to conform aerodynamically to the control surface, ensuring sealing engagement and optimal aerodynamic profile across different positions, including a transition portion for smooth engagement and disengagement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single seal configuration is used, then the structure is simple, but the seal cannot maintain effective sealing across varying control surface positions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidseal configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The seal is divided into multiple distinct portions (first seal portion, second seal portion, and transition portion) that can be differentially engaged with the control surface edge. Each portion is configured to transmit bending moments in specific control surface positions, allowing the seal to maintain effectiveness across varying positions without requiring a completely complex reconfigurable structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The seal design incorporates dynamic engagement where different seal portions are selectively activated based on control surface position. The transition portion enables smooth engagement and disengagement between the first and second seal portions as the control surface moves, allowing the seal to adapt its configuration dynamically while maintaining relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If the seal plate is made rigid to maintain structural stability, then structural stability is improved, but the seal cannot conform aerodynamically to the control surface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidaerodynamic conformance

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The seal plate is designed with differentiated local properties where specific regions have varying degrees of flexibility. The seal plate includes regions that are more flexible to conform aerodynamically to the control surface in specific positions, while other regions maintain greater rigidity to preserve overall structural stability. This local differentiation allows simultaneous achievement of both structural stability and aerodynamic conformance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If the seal configuration is optimized for one position, then sealing is effective in that position, but sealing performance deteriorates in other positions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing performanceVSAvoidposition adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The seal is designed as a multi-functional system where different portions of the seal serve different functions depending on control surface position. The first seal portion is optimized for one position range, the second seal portion for another position range, and the transition portion facilitates movement between these ranges. This universal design allows the single seal structure to maintain effective sealing performance across multiple control surface positions without requiring separate seals for each position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

The dual-seal configuration maintains continuous airflow and prevents air leakage, enhancing aerodynamic performance and reducing wear by minimizing seal plate deflection, while ensuring effective sealing from cruise to high-lift configurations.

Implementation Method 1

a first seal portion configured to provide a seal between a free edge of the seal plate and an edge of the control surface and further configured to transmit a first bending moment from the control surface to the seal plate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBending moment: