Aircraft Wing Tip Device Oblique Cut Interface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aircraft wing tip devices face challenges in sealing between the fixed wing and the wing tip, leading to wear and damage due to sliding motion, which complicates maintenance and affects aerodynamic performance.

Innovation Solution

The design features a wing with a moveable wing tip device that rotates about an oblique primary cut plane, utilizing a curved interfacing cut line with varying inclinations and a compression seal to minimize sliding contact and enhance sealing, allowing for easier movement and reduced friction between the fixed wing and wing tip device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a sliding seal is used at the interface between the fixed wing and wing tip device, then the wing tip device can rotate between flight and ground configurations, but the seal is subjected to large amounts of wear and requires frequent inspection and replacement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotational movement between configurationsVSAvoidseal wear and durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a sliding seal that accommodates rotational motion, the invention inverts the approach by using a compression seal that remains stationary while the wing tip device rotates. The compression seal is compressed between the fixed wing and wing tip device in the flight configuration, creating a sealing interface that does not slide during rotation, thereby eliminating wear on the seal itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces an intermediary compression seal element that mediates between the fixed wing and wing tip device. This compression seal acts as a mediator that maintains the sealing function without participating in the rotational motion, transferring the sealing function from a sliding interface to a compression interface that remains stationary during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Length of moving object

If the wing tip device is moved away from the flight configuration to reduce aircraft span for ground operations, then airport clearance limits are complied with, but the interface between the fixed wing and wing tip device experiences sliding contact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaircraft spanVSAvoidsliding contact and friction

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention inverts the sealing mechanism from a sliding type to a compression type. The compression seal is compressed between the fixed wing and wing tip device when in the flight configuration, creating a sealing interface that does not slide during rotation to the ground configuration, thereby eliminating friction and wear during the span reduction movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If a compression seal is used between the fixed wing and wing tip device, then sliding contact is minimized and wear is reduced, but the seal must maintain effective sealing during rotation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal durability and reduced wearVSAvoidsealing effectiveness during rotation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention inverts the sealing approach by using a stationary compression seal rather than a sliding seal. The compression seal is compressed between the fixed wing and wing tip device in the flight configuration, creating a sealing interface that remains stationary during rotation to the ground configuration, thereby maintaining sealing effectiveness without sliding contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The compression seal is pre-compressed between the fixed wing and wing tip device in the flight configuration before rotation occurs. This preliminary compression ensures that the seal is already engaged and maintaining the sealing function, and during rotation to the ground configuration, the seal simply maintains this compressed state without requiring to slide or adjust, thereby maintaining sealing effectiveness throughout the movement.

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 solution improves the sealing efficiency between the wing tip device and the fixed wing, reducing wear and enhancing aerodynamic performance by enabling a non-sliding, compression-based seal that maintains aircraft span compliance with airport clearance limits.

Implementation Method 1

utilizing a curved interfacing cut line with varying inclinations and a compression seal to minimize sliding contact and enhance sealing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentEP3543109B1A moveable wing tip device, an outer end of a wing, and interface therebetween

Publication Date: 2022.08.17 AIRBUS OPERATIONS LTD

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AI summary

An aircraft (1002) comprising a wing (1001), having a fixed wing (1005) with a wing tip device (1003) moveably mounted at the outer end thereof. The wing tip device (1003) is moveable between: a flight configuration; and a ground configuration. The wing tip device (1003) and the fixed wing (1005) are separated along an oblique primary cut plane (1013). The wing tip device (1003) and the fixed wing (1005) meet along an interfacing cut line (1035). The wing tip device and fixed wing comprise a wing skin with a thickness, and end faces extending across the thickness of the wing skin provide interfacing surfaces corresponding to the interfacing cut line, wherein the interfacing surfaces are angled at a first orientation towards the front of the wing and a second, opposite, orientation towards the rear of the wing.