Actuator for an aircraft component

A starboard wing of an aircraft includes various movable aerodynamic surfaces, such as a spoiler, slat, aileron, flap or the like. An actuator is provided for moving each such surface. The location and mounting of the actuator of the starboard wing is symmetrical about the centreline of the aircraft to that of the actuator of the port wing. The location of the piston, arm or other mechanical output of the actuator is at a centre portion of the actuator (i.e. at or near the midline of the actuator. The input port(s) for power is/are also at the centre portion. The actuator for the starboard wing may thus be substantially identical to the actuator for the port wing.

CROSS RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to United Kingdom (GB) Patent Application 1815118.3, filed Sep. 17, 2018, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to an actuator for use in an aircraft. More particularly, but not exclusively, this invention concerns an aircraft, an actuator for use in relation to an aircraft component, such as a movable aerodynamic surface, and an actuator for use in relation to a corresponding component on the starboard-side of the aircraft. The invention also concerns a method of designing and manufacturing port and starboard aircraft parts, which each accommodate such an actuator.

An aircraft is typically substantially symmetrical about a vertical plane along the centreline of the aircraft. Thus, typically the main wing on the starboard side of the aircraft will be symmetrical to the main wing on the port side of the aircraft. When designing parts of an aircraft for a wing of an aircraft it is typically assumed that the other wing of the aircraft will be symmetrically arranged. Requiring components of one wing to be symmetrical to those in the corresponding other wing, not only in their shape and configuration, but also in their arrangement in relation to other components and structure of the wing can have a significant impact on design and manufacturing efficiency. It may be necessary to design and manufacture certain components in the wing, such as for example actuators for moving flaps, slats, ailerons, spoilers and the like, to have a left-handed version (for one wing) and a right-handed version (for the other wing). Designing and manufacturing both a left-handed actuator and a right-handed actuator for an aircraft significantly increases both manufacturing costs and maintenance costs. A typical solution employed to avoid the need for both a left-handed actuator and a right-handed actuator is to rely on a single design of actuator and simply invert it (turn it upside down) for use in one of the two wings. That is not always practical however; for example, if gravity has an impact on the function of the actuator.

The present invention seeks to mitigate one or more of the above-mentioned problems. Alternatively or additionally, the present invention seeks to provide an improved aircraft wing and/or an improved actuator for use in an aircraft wing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides, according to a first aspect, an aircraft comprising a first wing on a starboard side and a second wing on a port side. The first wing is substantially symmetrical to the second wing about a centreline of the aircraft (i.e. when viewed from above). Each wing comprises a main body including load-bearing structure. The load-bearing structure may comprise primary structure and/or secondary structure of the aircraft. The load-bearing structure may comprise one or more spars. The load-bearing structure may comprise one or more ribs. Each wing also comprises a movable aerodynamic surface, such a spoiler for example. The movable aerodynamic surface of the first wing is substantially symmetrical to the movable aerodynamic surface of the second wing about the centreline of the aircraft. There is an actuator for moving the movable aerodynamic surface, the actuator being located in or on the wing. When in situ the actuator may be considered as having an outboard end, an inboard end, and a centre portion, which is located between the outboard end and the inboard end. The actuator is attached to the load-bearing structure of the main body of the wing, for example by a mounting bracket. The actuator has a mechanical output, for example being a piston, arm or the like, arranged to move the movable aerodynamic surface relative to the main body of the wing. The actuator also includes a power input for powering movement of the mechanical output. The location of the actuator (“the first actuator”) of the first wing is symmetrical about the centreline to the location of the actuator (“the second actuator”) of the second wing. The attachment of the first actuator is also preferably symmetrical to that of the second actuator. For example, the location and arrangement of each attachment between the load-bearing structure of the wing and the first actuator is symmetrical, about the centreline, to that of the second actuator. The location of the mechanical output is preferably at the centre portion of the actuator, preferably directly adjacent to or overlying a centreline of the actuator (the centreline being midway between the outboard end and the inboard end of the actuator). The location of the input of power is preferably also at the centre portion of the actuator, preferably directly adjacent to or overlying a centreline of the actuator. The same design of actuator may thus be used as the first actuator and the second actuator (with the actuator being the same way up), despite the first actuator being used in a setting that is a mirror image of the setting in which the second actuator is used. The first actuator may for example be substantially identical to the second actuator. It may be that the aircraft comprises third and fourth, and optionally more, actuators—installed on the aircraft—such further actuators each being identical to the first—and also to the second—actuator.

The first actuator and the second actuator may each include an input for a control signal for controlling movement of the movable aerodynamic surface. In such a case, it is preferred that the location of the input for the control signal is also at the centre portion of the actuator, preferably directly adjacent to or overlying a centreline of the actuator.

The location of the mechanical output, the location of the input of power, and/or the location of the input for a control signal are preferably centrally positioned on the actuator (“at the centre portion”) to allow the same design of actuator to be used as both a left hand version and a right hand version. The locations need not however be exactly at the mid-plane of the actuator (i.e. exactly halfway between the outboard end and the inboard end of the actuator). The centre portion may extend from the mid-plane of the actuator between the inboard end and the outboard end of the actuator by a distance of no greater than 10% of the length of the actuator as measured in the direction from the inboard end to the outboard end of the actuator. It may therefore, by way of example, be that the centre portion occupies about 20% of the volume of the actuator.

It may be that the power for powering movement of the actuator is provided, at least in part, by hydraulic power. It may be that the power for powering movement of the actuator is provided, at least in part, by electric power. The actuator may be an electrically powered hydraulic actuator. The actuator may have inbuilt redundancy, being connected to two separate power sources such that in the event of failure of the first power source a secondary power source provides a back-up. The actuator may be an electrical actuator with hydrostatic transmission (EHA). The actuator may be an electrical actuator with mechanical transmission (EMA). The actuator may be in the form of an electrical backup hydraulic actuator (EHBA). The actuator preferably has jam-tolerant design.

The actuator may be substantially symmetrical about a plane, which is midway between the outboard end of the actuator and the inboard end of the actuator. The actuator may have reflectional symmetrical about its midway plane. It may be the case that the actuator is not symmetrical in its overall shape. The first actuator may be so arranged and configured that it occupies a volume of space (larger than the actuator), which is not occupied by other components or structure of the wing. Such a volume of space may be defined, for example during initial design of the actuator, as a “keep out zone”. Such a volume of space has an inboard end, and an outboard end, and is preferably symmetrical about a central plane midway between the inboard end and the outboard end. Thus, whilst the actuator need not necessarily be perfectly symmetrical, the keep-out zone associated with the actuator may have reflectional symmetry about its central plane.

As mentioned above, the mechanical output of the actuator may comprise an arm, for example being in the form of or extending from a piston of the actuator. Such an arm may be arranged to push or pull the movable aerodynamic surface, for example in response to a control signal.

The actuator may be a linear actuator. The actuator may be a rotary actuator.

The actuator may comprise a casing. Such a casing may incorporate at least one system port for the input of power. The casing may incorporate a system port for the input of hydraulic power and a different system port for the input of electric power. There may be at least one further system port in the casing for a different input, for example a control input. The casing may also have an aperture through which the mechanical output is provided. The casing of the actuator may have a maximum dimension of between 200 mm and 1,000 mm. The casing of the actuator may occupy a volume of between 5 and 100 litres, for example between 8 and 60 litres.

The actuator may have a mass of between 10 kg and 100 kg. The actuator may be so configured that the maximum force that can be generated by the actuator is at least 500 N and preferably between 10 kN and 100 kN.

It may be that at least 90% by volume of the actuator is provided in one, two or three main parts (and no more), with each part having a casing having a maximum dimension, the sum of those maximum dimensions being between 200 mm and 1,000 mm. The actuator may be provided in one main part having a casing having a maximum dimension of no more than 600 mm.

The first wing and the second wing of the aircraft may be the main wings of the aircraft. Embodiments of the present invention may however have application in relation to other parts of an aircraft. It may be that an actuator of the present invention has application in relation to other parts of the aircraft, for example in the tail-plane, in the landing gear or in any other part of the aircraft on the port side of the aircraft that has a corresponding mirror image of that part on the starboard side of the aircraft. For example, the first wing and the second wing of the aircraft may alternatively be the starboard side horizontal stabiliser of a tailplane of an aircraft and the portside horizontal stabiliser of the tailplane, respectively.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided an aircraft comprising a first movable component (the component for example being an aerodynamic surface such as a spoiler on a wing for example) on a port side of the aircraft, a first actuator for moving the first movable component, a corresponding second movable component on a starboard side of the aircraft, and a second actuator for moving the second component. The first movable component is a mirror image of the second movable component, but (optionally) not symmetrical itself. The mounting arrangement of the first actuator is a mirror image of the mounting arrangement of the second actuator, but each actuator is substantially of the same design. This may be made possible by the actuator having reflectional symmetry. Alternatively, the actuator may not be perfectly symmetrical but instead be so designed that, for those functions which need to be mirrored when the actuator is used on the other side of the aircraft, either (a) there is some form of reflectional symmetry in the way the function is achieved or (b) the function is achieved by means of parts/portions that are positioned sufficiently close to the mid-plane of the actuator. The same actuator may thus be used on either side of the aircraft without any significant compromise (in function, mode of operation, or manner of installation) being needed on one side as compared to the other.

The present invention also provides an actuator for use in the first and/or second aspects of the invention. The present invention also provides a wing, when separate from the rest of the aircraft, which is in the form of one of the wings of the aircraft according to the first and/or second aspects of the invention.

A third aspect of the invention provides a method of designing port and starboard parts of an aircraft (for example the wings) and an actuator for moving a component of the part, there being an actuator associated with the port part and an actuator associated with the starboard part. For example, each wing of the aircraft may comprise one or more movable surfaces and one or more actuators for moving the movable surfaces. The method comprises a step of designing the first part (e.g. the first wing) including designing the shape and composition of structures for handling loads. The method comprises setting the location of the actuator, designing the way in which the actuator is mounted in relation to load bearing structure (possibly including designing the shape and load-handling capacity of such load bearing structure), designing how the actuator is connected to the component to be moved by the actuator, and—preferably—also designing the actuator itself (or at least its general form and function). The method is preferably so performed that each of (a) the location of the actuator, (b) the mounting of the actuator in relation to the load handling structures, and (c) the connection of the actuator to the component to be moved, in one of the port and starboard parts of the aircraft is a mirror image of the corresponding features in the other of the port and starboard parts. In this way, the same design of actuator can be used for the actuator in the port part as is used in the starboard part. It may also be possibly for the same design (the same shape and configuration, for example external shape and manner of actuation) of actuator may be used in more than two locations on the same aircraft, possibly more than two locations on one side (either the port side or the starboard side) of the aircraft. There may, once the design steps have been completed, be a step of manufacturing the port part and/or the starboard part of the aircraft. There may, alternatively or additionally, be a step of manufacturing one or more actuators as so designed. There may be a step of assembling an actuator in or with the part of the aircraft. It will be appreciated that the manufacture of the aircraft part, the manufacture of the actuator, and the assembly of the part and actuator do not need to be performed by the same entity or in the same country.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention concern the configuration and arrangement of an actuator for moving a movable surface on a wing of an aircraft, or a movable surface on another part of the aircraft where a symmetrical movable surface (e.g. mirror image) is provided at a different location on the aircraft. Moveable surfaces on the wing require an actuator to move the surface into the desired position.

FIG. 1shows an aircraft100of a type suitable for use with embodiments of the present invention. The aircraft has a first wing102son the starboard side of the aircraft (the right-hand wing when viewing the aircraft from above in the forward direction) and a second wing102pon the port side of the aircraft (the left-hand wing when viewing the aircraft from above in the forward direction). The first wing102sis generally symmetrical to the second wing102pabout a vertical plane119containing the longitudinal axis of the aircraft. Each wing has various movable aerodynamic surfaces. The first wing102shas one or more flaps104, one or more spoilers106and one or more ailerons108on the trailing edge of the wing and one or more slats110and a droop leading edge device112on the leading edge of the wing. The second wing102phas a symmetrical arrangement of movable aerodynamic surfaces. The tail assembly of the aircraft also has two symmetrical wing-like structures in the form of the port and starboard horizontal stabilisers114p,114s. The starboard-side stabiliser114shas at least one elevator116. The port side stabiliser114palso has a corresponding symmetrical arrangement of elevators.

Any of the movable aerodynamic services of the aircraft ofFIG. 1may be associated with an actuator for moving the surface in a controlled manner during operation of the aircraft. A schematic representation of such an actuator, of the prior art, is shown inFIG. 2.

FIG. 2shows an actuator20of the prior art suitable for actuating a flap of an aircraft wing. The actuator20comprises a casing having a main portion22in which various hydraulic components are housed and a secondary portion24in which various electric components are housed. The actuator in this example is in the form of a linear actuator including an arm26, which is arranged in use to move a flap of the wing of the aircraft, via a linkage arrangement not shown.FIG. 2shows with broken lines the possible positions of fixings38that could be used to mount the actuator in an aircraft.

FIG. 3shows an example of the prior art actuator20ofFIG. 2in situ in a starboard wing2sof an aircraft (only part of the wing being shown inFIG. 3). The wing2includes several ribs3, a spar5and the trailing edge of the wing includes movable flaps4, which are moved by actuation of the arm26of the actuator20. The actuator20is mounted relative to the spar5in the wing via fixing lugs38. The casing also has a first system port28for connection to an electric cable30and a second system port32for connection to a hydraulic supply via hose34.

FIG. 3ashows a further example of the prior art actuator20ofFIG. 2in situ in a starboard wing2sof an aircraft (only part of the wing being shown inFIG. 3a). The wing2includes several ribs3and the trailing edge of the wing includes movable flaps4, which are moved by actuation of the arm26of the actuator20. The actuator20is mounted relative to one of the ribs3in the wing via fixing lugs38. The casing also has a first system port28for connection to an electric cable30and a second system port32for connection to a hydraulic supply via hose34.

FIG. 4shows the prior art actuator20mounted in a port wing2pof the aircraft. The same actuator20is used as shown inFIG. 3abut in an inverted configuration. It is not always practical to do that however.FIG. 5shows the problems that can arise if attempts are made to use the same actuator (as used in the starboard wing ofFIG. 3a) the same way up in the port wing2p. If the arm26of the actuator is to be mounted to act on the flap4at the same location, then the centre of the actuator in the port wing needs to be further outboard than the centre of the actuator in the starboard wing. If the locations and configurations of the ribs of the port wing are to correspond to those of the starboard wing, then the different location of the actuator will require a different mounting arrangement. It will also be seen that the hydraulic supply34is shifted slightly inboard and that the electric supply30is shifted slightly outboard, requiring different routes for those supplies in each wing. A solution to such issues is to require a left-handed version of the actuator and a right-handed version of the actuator, with the consequent extra cost that such a solution involves.

FIGS. 6 and 7show an actuator120of a first embodiment of the invention for actuating a spoiler106of an aircraft wing (the wing and spoiler being shown schematically in the Figures and no adjacent flaps or the like being shown). The actuator120comprises a casing121(shown in broken line inFIG. 6). The casing121is substantially symmetrical about a plane, which contains the centre line123shown inFIG. 6. The actuator120has a main portion122in which various hydraulic components are housed and a secondary portion124in which various electric components are housed. The actuator in this example is in the form of a linear actuator including an arm126, which is arranged in use to move a spoiler106of the wing. The arm126is mounted centrally on the body of the actuator and in the region of the centreline123. The casing121includes integrated mounting brackets138, mounted either side of the actuator about the centreline123. The hydraulic and electric ports128and132are mounted in the region of the centreline123, in this example to either side of the centreline. Control of the actuator can be provided by a separate control cable (not shown) or possibly by wireless control signals.

FIG. 7shows the actuator120of the first embodiment in situ in a starboard wing102sof an aircraft (only part of the wing being shown inFIG. 7). The wing102includes several ribs, two of which (ribs103) are shown inFIG. 7. The trailing edge of the wing includes a movable spoiler106, which is moved by via a linkage arrangement (not shown) which is powered by actuation of the arm126of the actuator120. The actuator120is mounted midway between the two ribs103shown inFIG. 7via its mounting brackets138. The mounting of the actuator could be to other load-bearing structure in the wing. Such a load-bearing structure may comprise primary structure and/or secondary structure of the aircraft. Primary structure may be considered as being critical structure for carrying flight, ground or pressurisation loads being sufficiently critical to safe operation of the aircraft such that failure of the structure would result in failure of the aircraft, or otherwise reduce the structural integrity of the aircraft to an unsafe level. Secondary structure may be considered as less critical than primary structure, but nevertheless having as a purpose the carrying or sustaining of loads generated during operation of the aircraft.

The system port128is connected to an electric cable130and the system port132is connected to a hydraulic supply via hose134.FIG. 8shows the same actuator120mounted in the port wing102pof the aircraft. The same actuator120is used in the same configuration (and the same way up). As a result of the central location of the actuator arm126, and of the central location of the actuator between the two ribs103in the starboard wing102s, it is possible to mount an identical actuator in the port wing102p. Also, as a result of the central location of the hydraulic/electric ports128,132, the length of the connecting conduits130,134may be substantially the same in the starboard wing as in the port wing. Routing of cables/hoses can therefore be substantially the same in each wing. By designing the actuator and the local wing structure to be symmetrical at a local level, it is possible to have one actuator design that is suitable for use in both the port wing and the starboard wing. Manufacturing time and costs may therefore be reduced. The number of spare parts that need to be made available may also be reduced and maintenance activities and storage space for parts made more efficient.

It will be seen that there is a 3-D volume that envelopes the actuator and no other structure in the wing (i.e. a keep-out zone) which itself has reflectional symmetry. In this embodiment, the actuator itself has an overall shape that broadly has reflectional symmetry, albeit not perfect symmetry. The mass of the actuator is about 10 kg and the maximum force that can be generated by the actuator is about 10 kN.

To summarise the first embodiment, a starboard wing of an aircraft comprises various movable aerodynamic surfaces, such as a flap, slat, aileron, spoiler or the like. An actuator is provided for moving each such surface. The location and mounting of the actuator of the starboard wing is symmetrical about the centreline of the aircraft to that of the actuator of the port wing. The location of the piston, arm or other mechanical output of the actuator is at a centre portion of the actuator. The input port for power is also at the centre portion. The actuator for the starboard wing may thus be substantially identical to the actuator for the port wing. It will be understood that the symmetry of the location and mounting of the actuator, of the mechanical output and of the system ports/connections to/from the actuator need not be perfect, but sufficiently close to symmetrical that the actuator for the starboard wing may be substantially identical to the actuator for the port wing without any significant compromise (in function, mode of operation, or manner of installation) being needed on one side as compared to the other.

FIG. 9shows an actuator220according to a second embodiment of the invention, relating to a larger aircraft compared to the first embodiment. Similar reference numerals are used for similar parts (but starting with a “2”, instead of a “1”). Only those aspects of the actuator220that differ from the actuator120will now be described. The mounting brackets238are bulkier than the corresponding brackets138of the first embodiment. The ports for hydraulic and electric connections228,232, are positioned one above the other in line with the central plane223, as shown more clearly inFIG. 10which is an end on you of the actuator looking in the direction shown by the arrow A ofFIG. 9. There is a separately provided system port229for the provision of a control signal. That system port229is also centrally positioned in relation to the actuator body. It might be that a larger actuator has more than one such control port229.FIG. 11shows the arrangement of the actuator220in a starboard wing202s, whereasFIG. 12shows the same actuator220in a port wing202p. As a result of the central arrangement of the ports228,232, the routing of cables/hoses230,234can be symmetrical about the centreline of the aircraft. The actuator220has a mass of about 70 kg. The maximum force that can be generated by the actuator is about 70 kN.

FIG. 13shows a method450of designing and manufacturing port and starboard aircraft wings for an aircraft. Each wing comprises one or more movable surfaces and one or more actuators for moving the movable surfaces. The method comprises a step451of designing a first wing including designing the shape and composition of load bearing structures in the wing (both primary structure and secondary structure, for example), and designing the shape, configuration and kinematics of the movable surfaces. All of the following aspects are integrated into this design process:

(a) setting (box452) the location of an actuator for moving at least one of the movable surfaces,

(b) determining (box453) the configuration and location(s) of the mounting of the actuator in relation to load bearing structure in the wing,

(c) determining (box454) the connection of the actuator to the at least one of the movable surfaces, and

(d) designing (box455) the actuator. The design process451is performed in such a way that the port wing may be a mirror image of the starboard wing insofar as each aspect is concerned. A second wing is then designed456substantially as a mirror image of the first wing, but using the same design of actuator. The design process451is thus also performed in such a way that the same design of actuator can be used for the actuator in the port wing as is used in the starboard wing. The actuator and surrounding structure are designed in each case such that there is a symmetrical keep-out zone for features of the actuator. The keep-out zone for the port side actuator is symmetrical about the centre line of the aircraft to the keep-out zone for the starboard side actuator and each keep-out zone itself has reflectional symmetry. Having a keep-out zone which is symmetrical in this way and designing the shape of the actuator accordingly, allows the keep-out zone to be a smaller volume than might otherwise be the case. The actuator itself need not be perfectly symmetrical, however.

The actuator itself may have perfect reflectional symmetry.

The actuator may be installed to move other components of the aircraft. For example the actuator may be installed in or on a tailplane or the landing gear. The component or surface moved by the actuator may be an aileron, a flap, a slat, a droop leading edge device, a wing tip device, an elevator, or other moving surfaces or parts of the aircraft, not necessarily being in the form of an aerodynamic surface.

The mounting brackets, or the like, for mounting the actuator to the load-bearing structure need not be an integral part of the actuator. There may for example be one or more features such as lugs, eyelets, mounting bosses or the like of the actuator that allow for fixing the aperture with the use of supplementary fixings to similar features of the load bearing structure.

The actuator is shown in at least some of the Figures as being mounted, via mounting means, to one or more ribs. The actuator could be mounted to other load-bearing structure, such as a wing spar for example.

The actuator may not have any hydraulic power supply and/or require the use of hydraulic fluid to operate. The actuator could be a cylindrical and/or a rotary actuator.

It will be appreciated that the term centre line is used herein in relation to something having reflectional symmetry. In such cases there will be a notional plane containing the centre line, there being reflectional symmetry about that notional plane—for example, a notional plane that divides the aircraft into a port-side half and a starboard-side half.

It will also be appreciated that embodiments of the invention may have application on an aircraft with what might normally be described as a single wing. In such cases, the aircraft will typically have a left wing portion and a right wing portion that can be considered as a port-side wing and a starboard-side wing.

The term ‘or’ shall be interpreted as ‘and/or’ unless the context requires otherwise.