Aircraft Wing Trailing Edge Control Surfaces for Dynamic Buffet Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for reducing buffeting in airplanes, such as altering wing twist or using vortex generators, degrade flight performance and are not satisfactory as they either modify lift distribution or increase drag.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that monitor flight conditions to detect buffeting risks, automatically adjusting control surfaces at the wing's trailing edge to locally reduce lift in buffeting-generating regions, delaying flow separation and extending the buffet onset limit without affecting normal flight performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If lift distribution is modified by altering wing twist to reduce buffeting, then buffeting is reduced, but wing performance during cruising flight is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses dynamically adjustable control surfaces (flaps or ailerons) that can be repositioned in real-time based on flight conditions. During cruising flight, the control surfaces maintain their normal position for optimal wing performance. When buffeting is detected, the control surfaces are automatically repositioned to modify lift distribution and reduce buffeting, thus achieving dynamic adaptation without permanent modification to wing geometry
Solution Approach 2:
The control surfaces are positioned at specific locations on the wing (trailing edge) and are repositioned only in the regions where buffeting occurs. This localized adjustment modifies lift distribution specifically in the buffeting-prone areas while leaving the rest of the wing's lift distribution unchanged, thereby maintaining overall wing performance during cruising flight
2Object-affected harmful factors
If vortex generators are mounted on wings to stabilize flow and reduce buffeting, then buffeting is reduced, but drag increases under normal flight conditions
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of permanently mounted vortex generators that continuously increase drag, the invention uses controllable control surfaces that are repositioned only when needed. The control surfaces are adjusted dynamically based on detected buffeting conditions, and return to their normal position during cruising flight, thus eliminating continuous energy loss from drag while providing buffeting reduction only when required
3Object-affected harmful factors
If control surfaces are adjusted to reduce lift in buffeting-generating regions, then buffeting is reduced, but flight performance is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The control surfaces are repositioned periodically or temporarily only during the periods when buffeting is detected. During normal cruising flight, the control surfaces remain in their standard position, allowing the aircraft to maintain optimized flight performance. The repositioning action is applied periodically based on flight conditions rather than continuously
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the position parameter of the control surfaces dynamically based on flight conditions. By adjusting the control surface position, the lift distribution parameter is modified locally in buffeting-prone regions. This parameter change is temporary and reversible, allowing restoration of optimal flight performance when buffeting conditions cease
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 dynamically reduces buffeting without degrading flight performance, allowing airplanes to perform 1.3 g maneuvers while maintaining optimized wing shape for cruising flight, and only activates when buffeting is detected, minimizing impact on non-buffeting flight phases.
Implementation Method 1
at least one control surface, which is arranged at the trailing edge of the corresponding wing and which is capable of acting on the lift of this wing
Implementation Method 2
flow separation that creates unstable aerodynamic forces on the wing, which forces cause the structure of the airplane to vibrate
Data Source
AI summary
A method and device of dynamically reducing the buffeting of an airplane. The method is carried out by detecting a risk of buffeting of the airplane in flight by a monitor. At least one control surface is turned by an actuator arranged at a trailing edge of each wing of the airplane. The control surface is turned, at a predetermined respective rate of turn, into a predetermined respective position to modify lift profile of the wing along a wingspan length to reduce lift in at least one buffeting-generating region of each wing.