Curved interface between an outer end of a wing and a moveable wing tip device

Abstract

An aircraft (1002) including 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 about an axis of rotation. The wing tip device (1003) and the fixed wing (1005) meet along an interfacing cut line (1035). The interfacing cut line (1035) includes a curved section (1039) cent red on the axis of rotation (1011), the radius of the curved section constantly increasing as the cut line passes around the axis (for example a spiral shape).

Claims

1. An aircraft comprising a wing, the wing having a fixed wing with a wing tip device moveably mounted at the outer end thereof, the wing tip device being moveable between: (a) a flight configuration for use during flight; and (b) a ground configuration for use during ground-based operations, in which ground configuration the wing tip device is moved away from the flight configuration such that the span of the aircraft wing is reduced, wherein the wing tip device is rotatable between the flight and ground configurations, about an axis of rotation inclined with respect to a plane defined by spanwise and chordwise directions of the fixed wing, such that the wing tip device rotates upwards and rearwards when moving from the flight to ground configurations, and wherein, when the wing tip device is in the flight configuration, an outer end of the fixed wing and an inner end of the wing tip device meet along an interfacing cut line that separates an outer surface of the fixed wing and an outer surface the wing tip device, the interfacing cut line comprising a curved section, wherein a radius of the curved section is a distance between the axis of rotation and the curved section, and the radius of the curved section continuously increases along the curved section in a direction towards a leading edge of the wing tip device such that adjacent portions of the fixed wing and wing tip device on either side of the interfacing cut line, separate as the wing tip device moves from the flight configuration towards the ground configuration.

2. The aircraft wing according to claim 1, wherein the wing comprises an upper surface extending from the leading edge, over the wing, to a trailing edge, and the wing comprises a lower surface extending from the leading edge, under the wing, to the trailing edge, and wherein the curved section is on the upper surface of the wing.

3. The aircraft wing according to claim 1, wherein the interfacing cut line further comprises a first length extending from the curved section to a trailing edge of the fixed wing, and a second length extending from the curved section to the leading edge of the fixed wing.

4. The aircraft wing according to claim 3, wherein the second length is formed by a cut through the outer surface that extends within a plane containing or parallel to the axis of rotation.

5. The aircraft wing according to claim 1, wherein the aircraft wing is a first aircraft wing attached to a fuselage of an aircraft and the aircraft includes a second aircraft wing conforming to claim 1 on an opposite side of the fuselage to the first aircraft wing.

6. The aircraft according to claim 1, wherein the interfacing cut line further comprises: a leading edge section passing over the upper surface, through the leading edge and onto the lower surface, the leading edge section of the cut line being formed by a cut that extends within a plane containing the axis of rotation, an upper surface section located on the upper surface and to the rear of the axis of rotation and being offset inboard from the plane containing the axis of rotation; and the interfacing cut line comprising a lower surface section located on the lower surface to the rear of the axis of rotation and being offset outboard from the plane containing the axis of rotation.

7. The aircraft according to claim 6, wherein the leading edge section and the upper surface section are linked by the curved section, and the other end of the leading edge section and the lower surface section are linked by a further curved section, the further curved section also being substantially spiral-shaped centered on the axis of rotation, the radius continuously increasing as the cut line passes around the axis such that adjacent portions of the fixed wing and wing tip device either side of the interfacing cut line, separate as the wing tip device moves from the flight configuration towards the ground configuration.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings of which:

(2) FIGS. 1a and 1b show a wing with a moveable wing tip device of the prior art;

(3) FIG. 2 is an above-frontal view of a suggested embodiment in unpublished application GB1610108.1, showing the fixed wing/wing tip device interface, the interfacing cut-lines and the cut planes;

(4) FIG. 3a shows a simplified planform view of a wing on an aircraft of a first embodiment of the invention, the wing being shown with the wing tip device in both the flight and ground configurations;

(5) FIG. 3b is a frontal view of the aircraft incorporating the wing of FIG. 3a;

(6) FIG. 4 is an above-frontal view of the wing in the vicinity of the fixed wing/wing tip device interface in the first embodiment of the invention, and is taken from a similar view point to that used in FIG. 2;

(7) FIG. 5a is another above-frontal view of the wing in the vicinity of the fixed wing/wing tip device interface, showing the interfacing cut-lines and the cut planes;

(8) FIG. 5b is a plan view looking in a direction along the axis of rotation of the wing tip device in FIG. 5a;

(9) FIGS. 6a and 6b are the same as those in FIGS. 5a and 5b except that the wing tip device is in the ground configuration rather than the flight configuration;

(10) FIG. 7 is a frontal view along the arrow A of FIG. 6a;

(11) FIG. 8 is another plan view looking in a direction along the axis of rotation of the wing tip device;

(12) FIGS. 9a-9c show a close up view of the transition region (circled in FIG. 8) as the wing tip device moves from the flight to the ground configurations; and

(13) FIG. 10 is another plan view looking in a direction along the axis of rotation of the wing tip device, but also showing the interfacing cut line on the lower surface of the wing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(14) FIG. 1a is a perspective view of a fixed wing 1 and a wing tip device 3 on an aircraft shown in WO2015/150835. In summary, the wing tip device 3 is moveable between a flight configuration (FIG. 1a) and a ground configuration (FIG. 1b). In the flight configuration, the leading and trailing edges 5′, 7′ of the wing tip device 3 are continuations of the leading and trailing edges 5, 7 of the fixed wing 1. Furthermore, the upper and lower surfaces of the wing tip device 3 are continuations of the upper and lower surfaces of the fixed wing 1.

(15) The wing tip device 3 is placed in the flight configuration for flight. In the flight configuration, the wing tip device 3 thus increases the span of the aircraft (thereby providing beneficial aerodynamic effects, for example, reducing the component of induced drag and increasing the lift). In principle, it would be desirable to maintain this large span at all times and simply have a large fixed wing. However, the maximum aircraft span is effectively limited by airport operating rules which govern various clearances required when manoeuvring around the airport (such as the span and/or ground clearance required for gate entry and safe taxiway usage). Thus, the wing tip device 3 is moveable to a ground configuration for use when on the ground.

(16) In the ground configuration (FIG. 1b) the wing tip device 3 is folded, from the above-mentioned flight configuration, by rotating the wing tip device 3 about a rotational axis 11. By folding the wing tip device 3 in this manner, the span of the aircraft 2 is reduced. When the wing tip device 3 is in the ground configuration, the aircraft 2 thus complies with the above-mentioned airport clearances etc.

(17) The movement of the wing tip devices is determined by the type of joint about which the wing tip device rotates relative to the fixed wing. To achieve the above-mentioned movement, the wing tip device 3 and the fixed wing 5 are separated along an oblique cut plane 13 passing through the upper and lower surfaces of the wing. The wing tip device 3 is rotatable about the axis 11 that extends in a direction perpendicular to the oblique cut plane 13. The axis 11 is orientated at an acute angle to all three mutually perpendicular axes X, Y and Z (i.e. chordwise, spanwise and vertical).

(18) Small gaps, steps or other mismatch at the interface between the outer end of the fixed wing and the inner end of the wing tip device, when the moveable wing tip device is in the flight configuration, can create aerodynamic penalties (e.g. drag and pressure leakage). In some moveable wing tip arrangements, such as the one described above with reference to FIGS. 1a and 1b, it has been difficult to provide an interface that eliminates these features. For example, in some arrangements, controlling the tolerances in the vicinity of the interface has been found to be difficult. It has also been found to be difficult to provide an effective sealing arrangement to inhibit leakage flow through the interface.

(19) FIG. 2 is an above-frontal view of a suggested embodiment in unpublished application GB1610108.1. FIG. 2 shows the wing 101 in the vicinity of the joint between the fixed wing 105 and wing tip device 103. The wing 101 has an upper surface 131 and a lower surface 133. The fixed wing 105 and the wing tip device 103 are separated along the notional primary cut plane 113 (to which the axis of rotation is perpendicular).

(20) The primary cut plane 113 is indicated in FIG. 2 by the dashed-line where it intersects the wing. First and second offset, parallel, planes 113a, 113b (see below) are also indicated in FIG. 2 by the dashed-lines where those planes intersects the wing respectively. Parts of an interfacing cut line 135 extend within those planes, and this is shown by the solid lines in FIG. 2. The outer end of the fixed wing 105 and the inner end of the wing tip device 103 meet along the interfacing cut-line 135 that separates the outer surfaces of the fixed wing 105 and the wing tip device 103. The interfacing cut-line 135 is stepped, and is formed of a series of different lengths, as will now be described:

(21) The interfacing cut line 135 comprises a first length 137 extending from the trailing edge, over the upper-aft quadrant (UA) to the start of a transition section 139. The first length 137 of interfacing cut line lies in a plane 113a that is parallel to the primary cut plane 113, but it is offset in an inboard direction.

(22) The interfacing cut line 135 also comprises a second length 141 extending from the leading edge, over the upper-fore quadrant (UF) to the other end of the transition section 139. This second length 141 of interfacing cut line also lies in a plane 113b that is parallel to the primary cut plane 113, but it is offset in an outboard direction (i.e. in the opposite direction to the other plane 113a).

(23) It will be appreciated from above, that the first and second lengths 137, 141 thus both lie in oblique planes parallel to the primary cut plane 113, but in planes that are offset from that primary cut plane in opposite directions.

(24) Between the first 137 and second lengths 141 is a transition section 139. The transition section 139 comprises a first section 139a that lies in the same plane 113a as the first length 137 and a second section 139b at which the interfacing cut jumps across from the first plane 113a to the second plane 113b. The transition section 139 thus transitions the interfacing cut line 135 from the first 137 to the second 141 lengths.

(25) The arrangement in FIG. 2 has been found to be beneficial, especially in terms of being able to seal the interface between the wing and wing tip device. Nevertheless, embodiments of the present invention are thought to provide a yet further improvement, as will become apparent with reference to FIGS. 3a to 10.

(26) FIG. 3a shows a planform view of a wing 1001 on an aircraft 1002 of a first embodiment of the invention (the aircraft is shown in FIG. 3b). In FIG. 3a, the wing 1001 is shown with the wing tip device 1003 in both the flight and ground configurations. The flight configuration is shown in shaded form, and FIG. 3a self-evidently shows the reduction in span that occurs when the wing tip device 1003 rotates to the ground configuration. For the purposes of FIG. 3a the interfacing cut line between the fixed wing and the wing tip device is shown in simplified form—its actual shape is shown in the subsequent Figures, to which further reference is made below.

(27) The wing tip device 1003 of the first embodiment is, in general terms, rotatable in a similar manner to that shown in FIGS. 1a-1b and in FIG. 2. In other words, the wing tip device 1003 is rotatable about an axis 1011 that is orientated normal to a notional primary oblique cut plane 1013 (see FIG. 4) separating the outer end of the fixed wing 1005 and the inner end of the wing tip device 1003. The axis 1011 is at an acute angle to all three mutually perpendicular axes X, Y and Z (i.e. chordwise, spanwise and vertical). The wing comprises a ring-shaped slew-bearing (not shown) for guiding rotation and reacting loads into the fixed wing. The notional primary cut plane 1013 passes through the middle of this slew-bearing.

(28) As evident in FIG. 7 and when comparing FIGS. 5a and 6a, the nature of the movement is such that as the wing tip device 1003 is rotated about the axis 1011, the upper and lower surfaces of the wing tip device that are fore of the axis 1011, move downwards; whereas the upper and lower surface that are aft of the axis move upwards.

(29) Aspects of the present invention particularly reside in the shape of the interfacing cut line between the fixed wing and the wing tip device and that will now be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 4 to 10:

(30) Referring first to FIGS. 4, 5a and 5b, these show views of the region around the fixed wing/wing tip device interface. The wing tip device 1003 is a planar wing tip extension (the distal end of which is not visible in these Figures). In a similar manner to FIG. 2, the wing 1001 has an upper surface 1031 and a lower surface 1033. The outer end of the fixed wing 1005 and the inner end of the wing tip device 1003 meet along the interfacing cut-line 1035 that separates the outer surfaces of the fixed wing 1005 and the wing tip device 1003. The interfacing cut line 1035 is arranged such that when the wing tip device 1003 rotates from the flight configuration to the ground configuration, specific types of relative movement occur between the outer end of the fixed wing 1005 and the inner end of the wing tip device 1003. The interfacing cut-line 1035 is formed of a series of different lengths, which are described in more detail below.

(31) The fixed wing 1005 and the wing tip device 1003 are separated along the notional primary cut plane 1013 (to which the axis of rotation is perpendicular). The primary cut plane 1013 is indicated in FIG. 4 by the dashed-line where it intersects the wing, but does not manifest itself as a physical cut in the wing skin. Instead, and in common with the arrangement in FIG. 2, the interfacing cut line 1035 comprises a first length 1037 in the upper-aft quadrant that is offset from the primary cut plane 1013. However, in contrast to the arrangement in FIG. 2, the first length does not lie in a parallel plane; instead it is curved such that it does not lie within any single plane. Having the first length in such a curved shape has been found to be beneficial in terms of the resulting relative movement between the fixed wing and the wing tip device along the interface (when the wing tip device rotates about the axis). Furthermore, it may facilitate a relatively small transition section between the first length 1037, and a third length 1045 (on the underside of the wing—see FIG. 10), in the region of the trailing edge because the ends of those lengths can be brought relatively close together.

(32) The interfacing cut line 1035 also comprises a second length 1041 located fore of the axis of rotation 1011. In contrast to the arrangement in FIG. 2, the second length is not offset outboard; instead the second length 1041 extends along the upper surface 1031 of the wing, passes through the leading edge and extends onto the lower surface 1031 of the wing. The second length 1041 lies within a plane P (schematically indicated by a dashed line in some of the Figures) containing the axis of rotation 1011, and that plane also being substantially perpendicular to the front spar of the wing (not shown). This is best illustrated in FIGS. 5b, 6b and 7.

(33) Providing a second length 1041 that is within a plane containing the axis of rotation 1011 has been found to be especially beneficial. It has been recognised that by forming the second length in this manner, the fixed wing 1005 and wing tip device 1003 separate simultaneously along the full length of the second cut line 1041, as the wing tip device 1003 moves from the flight configuration towards the ground configuration. Furthermore, the orientation of the second length 1041 of the interfacing cut line 1035 tends to mean the fixed wing 1005 and the wing tip device 1003 separate (along the second length 1041) in a locally perpendicular direction. Thus the sealing movement tends to be a pure compression.

(34) In other embodiments (not shown) the second length may not necessarily be in a plane containing the axis of rotation—it may instead be in a parallel plane to that. Such an arrangement does not necessarily have the simultaneously separation between the fixed wing and the wing tip device, but it does still tend to exhibit the perpendicular relative movement between the two sides of the interfacing cut line which is beneficial in terms of sealing.

(35) A further advantageous feature of the first embodiment of the invention is the shape of the transition section 1039 between the first and second lengths 1037, 1041. In the first embodiment of the invention, the transition section 1039 is substantially in the form of a spiral as will now be explained with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9a-9c:

(36) FIG. 8 is a view from above the wing along the axis of rotation 1011 of the wing tip device 1003, and towards the upper surface 1031 of the wing on which the interfacing cut line 1035 lies. Overlaid onto FIG. 8 are some radii R1-R4 from the axis 1011 to the interfacing cut line 1035.

(37) The radius of the curved section 1039 continually increases as the cut line 1035 passes around the axis 1011 in the direction of rotation that moves the wing tip device from the flight configuration to the ground configuration (shown by the curved arrow in FIG. 8). Accordingly, when moving from a rearward location adjacent the first length of cut line 1037 to a forward location adjacent the second length 1141 of cut line, the radii behave such that R1<R2<R3<R4.

(38) Providing an interfacing cut line having a curved section 1039 in which the radius of the curved section continuously increases around the axis of rotation 1011, has been found to be especially beneficial. In particular, since the radius of the curved section 1039 of the interfacing cut line 1035 increases, and that curved section of the interfacing cut line is centred on the rotational axis 1011 of the wing tip, it means that the structure of the wing tip device 1003 separates away from the structure of the fixed wing 1005 along this part of the interfacing cut line 1039 as the wing tip device 1003 rotates away from the flight configuration. This is best illustrated with reference to FIGS. 9a to 9c, which are close up views of the area within the dashed circle in FIG. 8 as the wing tip moves from the flight configuration (FIG. 9a) to the ground configuration (FIG. 9c).

(39) Point P.sup.wt along the interfacing cut line 1035, in the curved section 1039, lies on the wing tip device 1003 side, and is at a radius R1 from the axis of rotation. When the wing tip device is in the flight configuration, a corresponding point P.sup.fw on the fixed wing 1005 side of the cut line 1039 will be at substantially the same radius (R1) from the axis—see FIG. 9a. As the wing tip device 1003 rotates away from the flight configuration by an angle α, the point P.sup.wt on the wing tip device 1003 will rotate about the axis—see FIG. 9b. That point P.sup.wt is still at the radius R1 from the axis 1011 (because it lies on the wing tip device 1003), but since the radius of the cut line 1039 increases as the cut line 1039 passes around the axis, a radially outward point P.sup.fw.sub.α on the wing tip device (that is at the same angular location a around the axis as the new position of P.sup.wt) will be at a greater radius (R2) from the axis due to the behaviour of the curved section 1039. The wing tip device 1003 and fixed wing 1005 will therefore necessarily move apart along the interface 1039 as the wing tip device 1003 moves away from the flight configuration (and vice versa they will move towards each other when moving into the flight configuration). Similar behaviour continues to occur as the wing tip device 1003 rotates further to angle θ—see FIG. 9c. Such movement is beneficial because it tend to avoid relative sliding movement at the interface 1039.

(40) In the first embodiment the curved section 1039 is created by creating a spline through several radii such that curved substantially follows a spiral. In other embodiments (not shown) it will be appreciated that the curve may be an exact spiral or may be other shapes that display an increasing radius around the axis of rotation.

(41) It will be appreciated that the spiral shape of the curved section 1039 is made with reference to the view from above and along the axis of rotation (i.e. with reference to a projection of the curved section 1039 onto a plane that is perpendicular to the axis of rotation 1011). In reality, the shape of the curved section 1039 is also likely to extend out of this plane because of the curved nature of the outer surface of the wing. Nevertheless, aspects of the present invention recognise that it is the curvature around the axis of rotation of the wing tip device that is especially important in allowing the fixed wing and wingtip device to separate effectively, and it is therefore the behaviour of the curved shape from this view that is especially important.

(42) Reference to the interfacing cut line in FIGS. 4 to 9c has primarily been in relation to the interfacing cut line 1035 on the upper surface 1031 of the wing. Corresponding features are also present on the lower surface 1033 however, and in that respect reference is now made to FIG. 10. FIG. 10 is a view from above the axis of rotation 1011 but showing the part 1035′ of the interfacing cut line 1035 on the lower surface 1033 in phantom.

(43) The lower part 1035′ of the interfacing cut line comprises a third length 1045 extending on the lower aft quadrant, and linking with the first length 1037 (on the upper surface aft quadrant) via a transition 1047 at the trailing edge. The third length 1045 is curved such that it minimises the length of the transition section 1047, yet still avoids a clash (for example with the upper surface of the wing) as the wing tip device rotates to the ground configuration.

(44) The interfacing cut line also comprises a second curved, substantially spiral, section 1039′ on the lower surface linking the third length 1045 with an end of the second length 1041 on the lower surface 1033. The second curved section 1039′ also has a radius that increases as the cut line passes around the axis 1011 from the rearward location at which it joins the third length 1045 to a forward location at which it joins the second length 1041 on the lower surface (shown in dashed lines in FIG. 10, where R1<R2<R3<R4). Accordingly, as the wing tip device rotates away from the flight configuration, fixed wing and the wing tip device move apart along this interfacing cut line 1035′ too.

(45) Although radii R1 to R4 have been shown in FIG. 10, it will be appreciated that the radii need not necessarily be of the same magnitude/exact behaviour as those on the upper surface spiral section 1039.

(46) Whilst the present invention has been described and illustrated with reference to particular embodiments, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention lends itself to many different variations not specifically illustrated herein. For example, in another embodiment of the invention (not shown), the axis of rotation extends vertically out of the plane of the wing and there is no notional primary cut plane that is obliquely orientated such that it passes through the upper and lower surfaces of the wing. Such a wing tip (which rotates within the plane of the wing) may be referred to as a swing wing tip. In such an arrangement a curved section of an interfacing cut line having the spiral, or similar, behaviour to the embodiment described herein may still be beneficial as it may prevent sliding contact at the interface.

(47) Where in the foregoing description, integers or elements are mentioned which have known, obvious or foreseeable equivalents, then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth. Reference should be made to the claims for determining the true scope of the present invention, which should be construed so as to encompass any such equivalents. It will also be appreciated by the reader that integers or features of the invention that are described as preferable, advantageous, convenient or the like are optional and do not limit the scope of the independent claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that such optional integers or features, whilst of possible benefit in some embodiments of the invention, may not be desirable, and may therefore be absent, in other embodiments.