Aircraft Wing Tip Airload Control via Preliminary Action

Solution Overview

Problem

Aircraft with longer wingspans face challenges in airport infrastructure due to limited taxiway and gate spacing, requiring folding wing tips, which increases the weight and complexity of wing tip actuation systems, leading to higher power demands and larger, heavier actuation systems.

Innovation Solution

The method involves determining the position of control surfaces on the aircraft's wings to minimize airloads on wing tips before folding, using processors and actuators to move control surfaces to advantageous positions, reducing the power needed to fold wing tips and allowing for smaller, lighter actuation systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If folding wing tips are implemented to reduce wingspan for airport infrastructure compatibility, then the aircraft can operate within existing airport constraints, but the weight and complexity of wing tip actuation systems increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with airport infrastructureVSAvoidweight of wing tip actuation system

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The control surface is repositioned before the wing tip folding operation to a configuration that minimizes aerodynamic resistance during the fold. This preliminary positioning of the control surface reduces the power required by the actuation system during the folding maneuver, thereby reducing the overall size and weight of the actuation system needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Power

If larger actuators are used to fold wing tips with higher power demands, then the wing tip can be folded reliably, but the weight and space requirements for actuation systems increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower to fold wing tipVSAvoidweight of actuation system

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The control surface is repositioned before the wing tip folding operation to a configuration that minimizes aerodynamic resistance during the fold. This preliminary positioning of the control surface reduces the power required by the actuation system during the folding maneuver, thereby reducing the overall size and weight of the actuation system needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Force

If control surfaces are positioned to direct more air toward the wing tip, then lift is increased, but the power demand to fold the wing tip increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelift force on wing tipVSAvoidpower to fold wing tip

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The control surface is repositioned before the wing tip folding operation to a configuration that minimizes aerodynamic resistance during the fold. This preliminary positioning of the control surface reduces the power required by the actuation system during the folding maneuver, thereby reducing the overall size and weight of the actuation system needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 approach decreases the weight and space requirements for wing tip actuation systems, resulting in thinner, lighter wings that are more efficient and capable of folding while the aircraft is moving, thus improving flight efficiency and accommodating larger wingspans within existing airport constraints.

Implementation Method 1

the control surface directs less air toward the wing tip when in the second position than when in the first position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAirflow direction control:

Data Source

PatentEP3190043B1Controlling airloads on aircraft folding wing tips

Publication Date: 2023.04.05 THE BOEING CO

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AI summary

Example apparatus and methods are disclosed herein for moving control surfaces on an aircraft wing to control airloads during a wing tip folding operation (from a folded position to an extended position or from an extended position to a folded position). An example method includes determining a position of a control surface on a wing of an aircraft. In the example method, the wing has a fixed wing portion and a wing tip moveably coupled to the fixed wing portion. The example method includes determining a change in the position of the control surface from a first position to second position for facilitating movement of the wing tip while the aircraft is not in flight. The example method also includes moving the control surface to the second position and moving the wing tip between an extended position and a folded position.