Movable Wing Tip Actuator Assembly for Fast Load Alleviation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing actuation systems for movable wing tips on aircraft lack the necessary reaction time and require significant installation space, which limits their effectiveness for load alleviation during flight.
Innovation Solution
The proposed actuator assembly includes a geared rotary actuator with a planetary gear setup and a clutch mechanism that allows for the selective decoupling of the movable aerodynamic surface from the input section, enabling fast reaction times and minimizing installation space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If existing actuation systems are used for movable wing tips, then the wing tip can be moved for storage or load distribution, but the reaction time is insufficient and installation space is excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator is divided into modular actuator slices, each containing a planetary gear set. This segmentation allows for compact arrangement and reduced overall volume while maintaining the required mechanical advantage for wing tip actuation.
Solution Approach 2:
The planetary gear sets are nested within compact actuator slices that are arranged in series. The clutch mechanism is integrated within the gear structure, allowing components to be nested efficiently to minimize installation space while enabling rapid engagement and disengagement for fast reaction time.
2Reliability
If a restrained assembly with brake is used to hold wing tip in flight configuration, then the wing tip can be restrained, but the reaction time and installation space are not optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The traditional brake-based restraining assembly is replaced with a clutch mechanism integrated into the planetary gear actuator. The clutch can rapidly engage and disengage to restrain or release the wing tip, providing both reliable restraining capability and fast reaction time without the need for separate brake components.
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 provides improved reaction time and reduced installation space, allowing for efficient load alleviation and free movement of the wing tip during flight, thereby minimizing drag torques and associated bending moments.
Implementation Method 1
at least one actuator slice comprising a planetary gear with a sun gear couplable to the input section, a fixed gear attachable to a fixed component of the aircraft and an output gear couplable with the movable aerodynamic surface
Implementation Method 2
at least one clutch is connected to the geared rotary actuator and is designed to couple the movable surface with the input section and to selectively decouple the movable surface from the input section
Data Source
AI summary
An actuator assembly for moving a movable aerodynamic surface of an aircraft is disclosed including an input section for introducing an externally provided rotary motion into the actuator assembly, and a geared rotary actuator having at least one actuator slice having a planetary gear with a sun gear couplable to the input section, a fixed gear attachable to a fixed component of the aircraft and an output gear couplable with the movable aerodynamic surface. At least one clutch is connected to the geared rotary actuator and is configured to couple the movable surface with the input section and to selectively decouple the movable surface from the input section, such that it is freely movable.