Wing Tip Device Interface With Offset Cut Plane

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aircraft wing tip devices face challenges in sealing between the fixed wing and the moveable wing tip, leading to wear and damage due to relative sliding motion, which necessitates frequent inspection and replacement.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates an obliquely oriented primary cut plane with offset interfacing cut lengths and transition sections, allowing for translational movement instead of sliding contact, enabling the use of non-sliding compression seals and minimizing wear, and includes inspection panels for easy access and maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a sliding seal is used at the interface between the fixed wing and wing tip device, then sealing can be provided during rotation, but the seal is subjected to large amounts of wear and requires frequent inspection and replacement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidservice life of seal

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the sliding seal mechanism with a compression seal system. Instead of relying on sliding contact between the fixed wing and wing tip device, the interface is designed with offset cut lengths that create compression zones. This substitution eliminates the wear problems inherent in sliding seals while maintaining sealing effectiveness throughout the rotation cycle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the geometric parameters of the interface by introducing offset distances (first offset distance and second offset distance) from the primary cut plane. This parameter change transforms the sealing mechanism from sliding to compression-based, fundamentally altering how the seal functions during rotation and eliminating wear-related degradation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the wing tip device is made moveable to reduce span for ground operations, then airport compatibility is improved, but sealing complexity increases due to relative motion between components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespan adaptabilityVSAvoidsealing system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the interface into distinct zones: first and second cut lengths that offset from the primary cut plane in opposite directions, and a transition section connecting them. This segmentation allows different portions of the interface to serve different functions - the offset lengths provide compression sealing zones while the transition section manages the rotational movement, thereby simplifying the overall sealing system despite the moveable configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of designing the interface to slide against each other during rotation, the patent inverts the approach by designing offset cut lengths that cause the surfaces to separate and compress in a controlled manner. This inversion of the relative motion approach transforms a complex sliding seal problem into a simpler compression seal arrangement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If the interfacing cut line is offset from the primary cut plane in opposite directions, then sliding contact is minimized and non-sliding seals can be used, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal wear resistanceVSAvoidinterface manufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The offset cut lengths serve multiple functions simultaneously: they create the compression zones necessary for non-sliding sealing, they define the transition section geometry, and they establish the rotational interface characteristics. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate manufacturing steps or components, thereby mitigating the apparent manufacturing complexity while achieving superior seal wear resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10669006B2Interface between an outer end of a wing and a moveable wing tip device

Publication Date: 2020.06.02 AIRBUS OPERATIONS LTD

AI summary

An aircraft (102) including a wing (101), having a fixed wing (105) with a wing tip device (103) moveably mounted at the outer end thereof. The wing tip device (103) is moveable between: a flight configuration; and a ground configuration. The wing tip device (103) and the fixed wing (105) are separated along an oblique primary cut plane (113). The wing tip device (103) and the fixed wing (105) meet along an interfacing cut line (135). The interfacing cut line (135) comprises a first length (137) offset from the primary cut plane (113) in a first direction; a second length (141) offset from the primary cut plane (113) in a second direction, opposite to the first direction; and a transition section (139) over which the interfacing cut line (135) transitions from the first length to the second length.