Wing Shape Sensing for Aircraft Bending Moment Relief

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Aircrafts face challenges in managing bending moments caused by gust loads, as existing systems struggle to accurately measure and mitigate bending moments that persist after initial spoiler deployment, particularly when wing acceleration returns to zero or near-zero conditions.

Innovation Solution

A wing loading reduction system that utilizes sensors, such as cameras, ultrasound, RADAR, LIDAR, or fiber optical sensors, to monitor the shape and position of wings, providing real-time data to a controller module to deploy spoilers strategically and reduce local gust loads, thereby maintaining bending moments below a predetermined threshold, even in varying flight conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If accelerometer strain gauges are used to measure gust forces, then acceleration can be detected, but bending moments that remain after spoiler deployment (with zero or near-zero acceleration) cannot be identified

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegust force measurementVSAvoidbending moment detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces accelerometer-based mechanical measurement systems with optical sensing systems (fiber optic sensors, LIDAR, or camera-based systems) that directly measure wing shape and position. This substitution enables detection of bending moments through geometric changes rather than acceleration, solving the problem of undetected residual bending moments after spoiler deployment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces optical fields (light) as an intermediary to measure wing deformation. Instead of directly measuring forces or accelerations, the system uses light reflection, interference, or time-of-flight measurements to detect wing shape changes, which then serve as indicators of bending moment conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If additional material or structure is added to strengthen wings, then worst-case gust load resistance is improved, but structural weight and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegust load resistanceVSAvoidwing structural weight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic wing loading control through real-time optical sensing of wing shape and active adjustment via spoilers. Instead of static over-engineering for worst-case scenarios, the system dynamically adapts to actual gust conditions, allowing lighter structural design while maintaining safety through active control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the control parameter from fixed structural design to variable spoiler deflection angles based on real-time wing shape measurements. This allows the system to optimize lift distribution dynamically, reducing the need for excessive structural margins and enabling weight reduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Force

If spoilers are deployed to destroy excess lift, then gust load is reduced, but structural weight savings are limited without advanced sensing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegust load reductionVSAvoidstructural weight reduction

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements closed-loop feedback control where optical sensors continuously monitor wing shape and feed this information to the control system, which adjusts spoiler deflection accordingly. This precise feedback enables more effective gust load management with smaller, lighter spoiler surfaces compared to open-loop or accelerometer-based systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

This system effectively reduces structural weight and complexity by minimizing the need for additional structural elements, improves fuel efficiency, and ensures smoother flight by maintaining optimal lift distribution and reducing induced drag.