Abstract: In a high-lift-device, a wing, and noise reduction device for a high-lift-device that are capable of reducing noise generated when a flap is extended, preventing deterioration of aerodynamics characteristic when retracting the flap, and preventing an increase in weight, a flap main body (5) disposed so as to be extendable/retractable relative to a main wing and a protruding portion (6A-1) that smoothly protrudes at least at the vicinity of one end portion of a positive-pressure surface (PS) of the flap main body (5) in a direction away from the flap main body (5) are provided.

Abstract: An aircraft having a high lift system, including a control computer, high lift bodies on each wing, a drive coupled to these, an activation device connected to the drive via an analog connection, an input device, and sensors detecting a state of the high lift bodies connected via analog lines to the activation device. The input device connects via a digital connection to the activation device for transmitting commands for adjusting the high lift bodies. The activation device is installed in the payload area of the fuselage and in an area extending from a location spaced from the front of the wingbox by a distance of one third of the fuselage length extending from there to the aircraft's tip, as far as a location spaced from the rear of the wingbox by a distance of one third of the fuselage length extending from there to the aircraft's tail end.

Abstract: An aerofoil wing is provided, including a main aerofoil, and a high-lift flap, which is movably arranged on the wing using side-by-side adjustment mechanisms. Each adjustment mechanism includes a first adjustment lever, hinged to the main aerofoil via a first rotary linkage, forming a first rotation axis; a second adjustment lever, hinged to the high-lift flap via a second rotary linkage, forming a second rotation axis; and a central linkage, linking together the first and the second adjustment levers, forming a third rotation axis. The first, second and third rotation axes pass through a common pole. The wing has a drive device with a drive module mounted on the main aerofoil, and movable with respect to the drive module a drive lever, which is coupled to the high-lift flap. The wing has a stop device to limit the maximum extended setting of the high-lift flap.

Abstract: A wing of an aircraft has a mainplane, which has an upper face, a lower face and an aerodynamically shaped area. The wing has an additional airfoil which is articulated on the mainplane and can be extended from a retracted state with a slot area being opened between the mainplane and the additional airfoil. The wing also has a variable-position slot-varying apparatus which is arranged on the lower face, forms a part of the aerodynamic profile of the additional airfoil or mainplane when the additional airfoil is extended, and at least partially covers the slot area between the mainplane and the additional airfoil on the lower face when the additional airfoil is in the retracted state. The slot-varying apparatus can be varied between a curved configuration, in which it forms a part of an aerodynamic profile, and an extended configuration, in which it at least partially covers the slot area.

Abstract: An aerofoil member is described which provides for a ‘smart Core’and flexible skin. The core comprises sheet material elements forming adjoining cells. The length of the elements can be changed, for example, using the piezo-electric effect, to alter the cross-sectional shape of the aerofoil without changing the peripheral length. Thus, the shape of the aerofoil may be changed to suit different flight conditions, or to mimic the effect of control surfaces.

Abstract: An aircraft wing high lift assembly comprising a movable element and a load receiving element including a body portion having a first load receiving region arranged to receive loads from the movable element in a first direction during normal operation of the high lift assembly and including at least one restraining arm projecting from the body portion, the or each restraining arm having a second load receiving region arranged to receive loads from the movable element in a second direction in the event of a failure within the high lift assembly.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a flap malfunction indicator assembly for notifying an observer making a walk-around inspection of an aircraft of a malfunction of one or more connection points coupling a flap assembly to an aircraft wing includes a support mounted to the flap assembly having a perimeter defining an area, an indicator arm pivoted to the support and movable between a first stowed position in which a major portion of the arm is arranged substantially entirely within the area and a second deployed position in which a major portion of the arm is arranged substantially outside the area, a frangible pin or fastener securing the indicator arm to the support in the first stowed position, a trigger element mounted for rotation about a first pivot, an elongated pull linkage coupling the trigger element with a flap assembly, the pull linkage being supported for movement relative to the first pivot to cause rotation of the trigger element when malfunction of a flap assembly occurs, and a spring assembly at th

Abstract: A rotor blade comprises an inner rotor blade root area, a rotor blade main area disposed adjacent to the inner rotor blade root area along a length of the rotor blade and having an aerodynamically effective rotor blade profile, the profile including a nose area and a rear edge area, and a rotor blade tip disposed adjacent to the rotor blade main area along the length of the rotor blade. The rotor blade tip is configured to be deformable relative to the rotor blade main area and is operatively connected to a first actuator device. The first actuator device is configured to initiate a vertical movement of the rotor blade tip upwards or downwards relative to the lift direction. The vertical movement starts from a neutral position relative to the rotor blade main area.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sensor system for monitoring the synchronism of control surfaces of an aircraft with two transmission links for the mechanical transmission of the movements of one or more control surfaces to at least one sensor, wherein the two transmission links are coupled with each other mechanically and/or via the at least one sensor, whereby a difference between the movements transmitted by the transmission links can be monitored.

Abstract: An aircraft system includes a wing and a trailing edge device coupled to the wing. The trailing edge device is movable relative to the wing, and includes a leading edge and a trailing edge having a center flap portion and a plurality of outer edge portions integrally combined with the center flap portion such that the center flap portion is shorter in width than that of outer edge portions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aircraft high-lift system with at least one drive unit for operating the high-lift systems of the half wings (half-wing systems) and with at least one overload protection to avoid undesirably high operating torques in the half-wing systems, wherein the overload protection includes a comparator, by means of which the instantaneous values of the operating torques of the half-wing systems are compared and/or a condition caused by the difference of the operating torques is detected, and a limiter connected with the comparator, by means of which the drive unit is blocked, shut down or deactivated, and/or the torque of the drive unit is dissipated into the aircraft structure, when the difference of the operating torques determined in the comparator exceeds a limit value.

Abstract: Disclosed is a set of aerodynamic surfaces for an aircraft. There is included in the set a fixed aerodynamic surface delimited by two external walls which, at the rear, converge toward one another. A mobile flap extends the external walls, forming a mobile trailing-edge. An actuator is positioned so as to cause the mobile flap to rotate. A vane runs in the overall direction of the span of the fixed aerodynamic surface, and rotates with the flap.

Abstract: An aircraft system may include an airfoil and a deployable device coupled to the airfoil. The system may further include a shape memory alloy actuator coupled between the airfoil and the deployable device. The actuator may be movable between a first position with the deployable device deployed relative to the airfoil, and a second position with the deployable device stowed relative to the airfoil. The system may additionally include an activatable link positioned between the actuator and the deployable device. The link may have an engaged configuration in which motion of the actuator is transmitted to the deployable device, and a disengaged configuration in which motion of the actuator is not transmitted to the deployable device.

Abstract: A flap actuator is provided for controlling movement of a flap on a wing of an aircraft. The flap actuator includes a housing having a leading end and a trailing end. A ball nut is rotatably supported in the housing. A motor has a rotatable drive shaft that is rotatable in first and second opposite directions. A gear assembly translates rotation of the drive shaft to the ball nut. A ball screw extends along a longitudinal axis and has a terminal end operatively connectable to the flap. The ball screw is movable between a first retracted in response to rotation of the ball nut in a first direction and a second extended position in response to rotation of the ball nut in a second direction. A one-way roller clutch is operatively connectable to the ball nut. The roller clutch engages the housing and prevents rotation of the ball nut in a first direction in response to a compressive force on the ball screw by the flap.

Abstract: A high-lift system of an aeroplane is described, including one or more high-lift flaps, an activation device with an activation function for generating adjustment commands for adjusting the adjustment state of the high-lift flaps, and a drive device coupled with the high-lift flaps, which is configured such that on the basis of activation commands the high-lift flaps are adjusted between a refracted adjustment state and an extended adjustment state. The activation function, on the basis of input values, generates adjustment commands and transmits these to the drive device for adjusting the high-lift flaps. The activation function has a function for the automatic retraction of the high-lift flap in flight, which in a flight condition in which the high-lift flap has assumed an extended adjustment state, whilst taking into account an engine thrust and a minimum flight altitude, generates an activation command, in accordance with which the high-lift flap retracts.

Abstract: A slotted aerofoil configuration is provided in which the leading element thereof is contoured to provide mild stall characteristics. A wing based partially or fully on such an aerofoil, an air vehicle including such wings, and a method for designing an aerofoil are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to the monitoring of the landing flaps on an airfoil (2) for an aircraft (1), and to an aircraft (1) having such an airfoil (2). The airfoil (2) has a wingbox (3), a support (5) which is mounted relative to the wingbox (3) such that it can rotate with respect to a flap rotation axis (7), a flap (4) which is attached to the support (5) and rotates with respect to the flap rotation axis (7) during rotation of the support (5) relative to the wingbox (3), a movement mechanism (8) which is coupled to the support (5) in order to set an angle position of the flap (4) with respect to the wingbox (3) and a measurement apparatus (18) for detection of the angle position of the flap (4). The measurement apparatus (18) has a rotation sensor (19), which is arranged on the support (5), and a four-element coupling transmission (22, 24, 26, 27) which couples the rotation sensor (19) to the movement mechanism (8).

Abstract: Aircraft trailing edge devices, including devices having forwardly positioned hinge lines, and associated methods are disclosed. An aircraft system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes a wing and a trailing edge device coupled to the wing. The trailing edge device can be movable relative to the wing between a stowed position and a deployed position, with the trailing edge device having a leading edge, a trailing edge, an upper surface, and a lower surface. The upper surface can have an intersection point with the wing when the trailing edge device is in the stowed position. The motion of the trailing edge device relative to the wing can include rotational motion about a hinge line positioned forward of the intersection point, and a gap can be positioned between the trailing edge of the wing and the leading edge of the trailing edge device when the trailing edge device is in the deployed position.

Abstract: A lifting or stabilising component (11) for an aircraft comprising in the area of its trailing edge a rotary control element (13) rotating around an axis (61) with at least one slot (21) between the tip (15) of the component (11) and the control element (13), the edges of which are configured such that the distance therebetween, that is, the dimension of the slot (21), is constant for different angles of deflection of the control element (13), being located between them a seal (23) that assure the aerodynamic continuity of the component (11) when the control element (13) is at rest. In a preferred embodiment, the component (11) is a horizontal tail stabilizer and the control element (13) is a rudder.

Abstract: A propulsion system for an aircraft includes an airfoil, an engine having an engine cowling carried by the airfoil and configured to produce exhaust gases that are predominantly directed toward an aft end of the airfoil by the engine cowling as engine exhaust, a propulsion flap carried by the airfoil and disposed aft of the engine cowling and a plurality of exhaust ejection orifices provided in the propulsion flap and adapted to receive at least a portion of the exhaust gases from the engine cowling.

Abstract: An aircraft wing including: a main wing element; and a flap connected to the main wing element by a deployment system which can deploy the flap from a retracted position to an extended position, wherein the wing has a trailing edge which is swept, at least in the region of the flap, when the flap is in its retracted position, and wherein the deployment system is arranged such that the flap reduces the degree of sweep of the trailing edge of the wing in the region of the flap as it is deployed. The deployment system includes a first actuator configured to rotate the flap horizontally so as to change the sweep angle of the flap and a second actuator configured to rotate the flap vertically so as to increase the camber of the wing, and the first and second actuators are operable independently of each other.

Abstract: A device for adjusting the lift characteristics of an aircraft with a high lift device that is movably attachable to a wing element and that includes at least one slot covering device, where the at least one slot covering device, is movably attachable to the wing element. The slot covering device is designed to regulate the size of a slot between the wing element and the high lift device.

Abstract: An aircraft wing load alleviation system incorporating a wing, a spoiler panel (14), a device (16, 17) which restricts circulation of air around a trailing edge of the spoiler and a control system. The spoiler panel is pivotally attached to the wing so that the spoiler panel can be rotated up from a lowered position to a raised position, thereby opening a void between the spoiler panel and the wing. The retractable device can be deployed from a retracted position to an extended position in which it restricts circulation of air around the trailing edge of the spoiler panel and into the void, thus reducing induced drag. The control system is configured to detect or predict an increase in the lift of the wing and rotate the spoiler panel to its raised position in response to a detected or predicted increase in the lift of the wing.

Abstract: Apparatus connecting an auxiliary lift foil, such as a flap or slat, to a main lift element. The apparatus comprises: a drop link pivotally coupled to the main lift element by a first hinge and to the auxiliary lift foil by a second hinge, wherein the drop link is substantially rigid between the first and second hinges; and a linkage mechanism pivotally coupled to the auxiliary lift foil by a third hinge which is spaced from the second hinge, and to the main lift element by as fourth hinge. The linkage mechanism comprises: a second link pivotally coupled to the airfoil by the third hinge; a third link pivotally coupled to the drop link and/or the auxiliary lift foil by a fifth hinge; and a lever pivotally coupled to the main lift element by a fourth hinge, to the second link by a sixth hinge, and to the third link by a seventh hinge. The drop link is rotated clockwise about the first hinge.

Abstract: A system for reducing aerodynamic noise of a supplementary wing of an aircraft is provided. The supplementary wing is hinged to a main wing and is extendable when a gap region between the main wing and the supplementary wing is opened. The system includes a separating surface which can be moved into the gap region when the supplementary wing is extended and which extends at least partially along a separation flow line between a vortex flow region and a gap flow for the air flowing in the gap region. The separating surface is an n-stable surface which through an actuator device can be moved between at least one of the stable states and at least one additional state.

Abstract: A wing for an aircraft is provided, including at least a first wing portion configured for providing high-lift mild stall characteristics at least at Reynolds numbers in the range between about 0.3*106 and about 2.0*106, and at least a second wing portion comprising a substantially permanently slotted aerofoil arrangement. Also provided are an air vehicle including such wings, a method for operating an aircraft, and a method for designing an aircraft wing.

Abstract: Aircraft control surface (1), in particular for an aircraft lifting surface (2), that comprises a primary control surface (6) that comprises a hinge axis (10), and a secondary control surface (7) that comprises a hinge axis (11), with the secondary control surface (7) rotating by means of its hinge axis (11) relative to the primary control surface (6), said secondary control surface (7) only partially occupying the span of the primary control surface (6), the length of the secondary control surface (7) along its hinge axis (11) being significantly less than the length of the primary control surface (6) along its hinge axis (10), and moreover the width or chord of said secondary control surface (7) along the direction of its hinge axis (11) narrows significantly towards the tip of the lifting surface (2) according to a law of narrowing designed expressly for adapting the distribution of torsional stiffness along the span of the lifting surface (2) to the distribution of aerodynamic load thereon, whereas the di

Abstract: A bridging seal comprising a stack of two or more layers of elastomer, the bridging seal having a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge, adjacent layers being attached to each other at the first and second edges, wherein adjacent layers of the bridging seal have opposing surfaces and a substantial portion of the opposing surfaces is unbonded. The bridging seal may be used to seal a gap between two aerodynamic surfaces on an aircraft.

Abstract: Apparatus connecting an auxiliary lift foil, such as a flap or slat, to a main lift element. The apparatus comprises: a drop link pivotally coupled to the main lift element by a first hinge and to the auxiliary lift foil by a second hinge, wherein the drop link is substantially rigid between the first and second hinges; and a linkage mechanism pivotally coupled to the auxiliary lift foil by a third hinge which is spaced from the second hinge, and to the main lift element by as fourth hinge. The linkage mechanism comprises: a second link pivotally coupled to the airfoil by the third hinge; a third link pivotally coupled to the drop link and/or the auxiliary lift foil by a fifth hinge; and a lever pivotally coupled to the main lift element by a fourth hinge, to the second link by a sixth hinge, and to the third link by a seventh hinge. The drop link is rotated clockwise about the first hinge.

Abstract: A flap actuator is provided for controlling movement of a flap on a wing of an aircraft. The flap actuator includes a housing having a leading end and a trailing end. A ball nut is rotatably supported in the housing. A motor has a rotatable drive shaft that is rotatable in first and second opposite directions. A gear assembly translates rotation of the drive shaft to the ball nut. A ball screw extends along a longitudinal axis and has a terminal end operatively connectable to the flap. The ball screw is movable between a first retracted in response to rotation of the ball nut in a first direction and a second extended position in response to rotation of the ball nut in a second direction. A one-way roller clutch is operatively connectable to the ball nut. The roller clutch engages the housing and prevents rotation of the ball nut in a first direction in response to a compressive force on the ball screw by the flap.

Abstract: A single slotted trailing edge flap arrangement for an aircraft wing, comprising a main flap element and an auxiliary flap element sealed to and supported by the main flap element for movement between a retracted and an extended position relative to the main flap element so as to vary the planform area of the flap. The auxiliary flap element remains sealed to the main flap element when in its extended position, and movement of the auxiliary flap element relative to the main flap element is solely translational. The auxiliary flap element may be translationally deployed from the main flap element by sliding the auxiliary flap element out from the underside of the main flap element. Also, a method of operating the flap arrangement.

Abstract: An improved supersonic laminar flow wing structure, on a supersonic aircraft, having one or more of the following: a strake extending forwardly of the wing inboard extent, a raked wing tip, a reversed fillet at the strake or fuselage junction, an inboard leading edge flap extending over less than about 15% of the inboard wing panel span, and a hybrid plain-split flap having a lower surface portion deflectable downwardly relative to plain flap extent.

Abstract: An aircraft includes, but is not limited to a central fuselage body without horizontal stabilizer, at least one high-lift control surface, at least one vertical stabilizer that is arranged on the central fuselage body and at least one extendable compensation control surface. The compensation control surface may be moved independently of the high-lift control surface of the aircraft and generates a positive tail-heavy pitching moment when it is moved into the flow against the aircraft. Due to this measure, a negative pitching moment during the actuation of high-lift control surfaces may be at least partially eliminated without influencing the high lift. Rudder segments that may be moved opposite to one another on two vertical stabilizers that are arranged mirror-symmetrical referred to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft preferably are used for this purpose.

Abstract: The rotary flap (1) is liable to turn about a longitudinal axis of rotation (4) defined according to the first span (5) of said flap (1), said flap (1) having a profile (6) extending along the chord (CO) and comprising a first leading edge (7), a first trailing edge (8), an inner surface (9) and an outer surface (10), The inner surface (9) and outer surface (10) have non-concave shapes, first leading edge (7) having a rounded shape provided with a curve radius (R) more or less constant or elliptical in shape whose first major axis to minor axis quotient is less than or equal to 1.5, with first trailing edge (8) having a main angle (?) that is included between 10° and 30°, and axis of rotation (4) is situated at a first distance (C1) from first leading edge (7), that is included between 15% and 35% of the chord (CO) of flap (1).

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling aircraft flaps and spoilers are disclosed. Systems in accordance with some embodiments include a wing having a trailing edge, and a flap positioned at least partially aft of the wing trailing edge and being deployable relative to the wing between a first flap position and a second flap position by operation of a first actuator. A spoiler can be positioned at least proximate to the trailing edge and can be movable among at least three positions, including a first spoiler position in which the spoiler forms a generally continuous contour with an upper surface of the wing, a second spoiler position deflected downwardly from the first, and a third spoiler position deflected upwardly from the first. A second actuator can be operatively coupled to the spoiler to move the spoiler among the first, second and third spoiler positions in a manner that is mechanically independent of the motion of the flap.

Abstract: A flap device adapted for location on or in a fluid interfacing surface such as an airfoil section, the device comprising a housing, a flap mounted for rotation at least partially within the housing, an entry in a leading portion of the housing, and at least one stop member associated with the housing and actuable between a non-operative parked position and an operative position in which in use the stop member is adapted to limit the movement of the flap within the housing thereby to vary the coefficient of lift and drag of the fluid interfacing surface or airfoil section.

Abstract: Aircraft systems with shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators, and associated methods are disclosed. A system in accordance with one embodiment includes an airfoil, a deployable device coupled to the airfoil, and a shape memory alloy actuator coupled between the airfoil and the deployable device. In one embodiment, the deployable device can be coupled to the airfoil with a hinge having a hinge load path supporting the deployable device relative to the airfoil, and the actuator can be movable along a motion path different than the hinge load path between a first position with the deployable device deployed relative to the airfoil, and a second position with the deployable device stowed relative to the airfoil.

Abstract: Lift produced by an airfoil of an aircraft is increased by suppressing fluid detachment from the surface of the airfoil. An engine cowling extends outwardly from the surface of the airfoil that has an exit plane configured for directing exhaust gases toward a rear of the aircraft. Fences extending outwardly from the surface and proximate to the exit plane of the engine cowling are configured to guide the exhaust gases along at least a portion of the airfoil surface, thereby restricting spanwise movement of the gases and increasing the Coanda Effect exhibited by the gases, thereby increasing the amount of lift produced along the surface of the airfoil. Such techniques may be used in short take-off and landing (STOL) aircraft.

Abstract: A multi-segment flap fence is incorporated into the wing such that a lower fence structure is attached to the underside of the fixed wing, an upper fence structure is attached to the main flap (e.g., at the outboard end). The two flap segments are configured to slideably articulate with respect to each other when the flap is extended to form a composite flap fence having an area that is substantially equal to the sum of the surface areas of the upper and lower flap fence structures. In one embodiment, the area of the upper fence is less than that of the lower fence.

Abstract: A drive and guidance apparatus for a trailing-edge/landing flap,-arranged on an aircraft mainplane, the apparatus comprising a six-element guide chain having seven rotating joints and one or more shafts; a first coupling element mounted via a crank connected to the mainplane wherein the crank can rotate, the coupling is connected to the flap and to a second coupling element wherein the first coupling can rotate, the second coupling mounted on the mainplane wherein the second coupling can rotate. The second coupling element is connected to the flap via an oscillating support. The crank is arranged wherein the rotation direction of the crank for extension of the flap corresponds to the rotation direction of the crank for the trailing-edge flap of the starboard wing of the mainplane, with the rotation direction of the crank for the trailing-edge flap of the starboard wing being counterclockwise when viewed from the aircraft fuselage.

Abstract: A panel assembly for an aircraft including a panel having an upper aerodynamic surface and a leading edge, and a hinge fitting connected to an underside of the panel, defining a hinge line for the direction of rotation of the panel. The upper surface of the leading edge has an arcuate portion centered about the hinge line, and has an upturned portion forward of the arcuate portion. The panel assembly is pivotally connected to its hinge fitting to the trailing edge of the fixed wing portion and rotatable between a first position wherein the upper surfaces of the fixed wing portion and the panel are substantially flush, and a second position wherein the panel is rotated downwardly from the first position. A seal member attached to the trailing edge of the fixed wing portion, has a lower surface which seals against the upper surface of the panel during its movement.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling aircraft flaps and spoilers are disclosed. Systems in accordance with some embodiments include a wing having a trailing edge, and a flap positioned at least partially aft of the wing trailing edge and being deployable relative to the wing between a first flap position and a second flap position by operation of a first actuator. A spoiler can be positioned at least proximate to the trailing edge and can be movable among at least three positions, including a first spoiler position in which the spoiler forms a generally continuous contour with an upper surface of the wing, a second spoiler position deflected downwardly from the first, and a third spoiler position deflected upwardly from the first. A second actuator can be operatively coupled to the spoiler to move the spoiler among the first, second and third spoiler positions in a manner that is mechanically independent of the motion of the flap.

Abstract: Coanda Effect and lift produced along a surface of an airfoil are increased by ducting compressed fluid from the engine to the surface of the airfoil. An engine produces exhaust gases that are predominantly directed toward an aft end of the aircraft by a cowling or other structure as an exhaust plume. One or more internal ducts extend from the engine to the surface of the airfoil to thereby transmit a compressed fluid from the engine to the surface in order to suppress flow separation along the surface, thereby causing the engine exhaust flow to remain attached to the surface over a wider span. Such structures and techniques may find particular use in aircraft designed to exploit upper surface blowing (USB) techniques and structures for short takeoff and landing (STOL) performance.

Abstract: Tilt-rotor aircraft experience increased efficiency and fuel economy by including wing extensions outboard of the tilting nacelles. Stall and buffeting during conversion from rotor-born hover to wing-born forward flight are reduced to an acceptable level using wide chord flaps deflected upwards by at least 15-20°, preferably in combination with leading edge slats. The outboard wing or wing portion preferably has a span at least 25-40% of a span of the inboard section, and a total surface area at least 10-20% the total surface area of the corresponding inboard section.

Abstract: The invention relates to a support structure for a retractable and extendable flap (12) associated with an object (14), surrounded by a flowing fluid, comprising a shell profile (16) that has a fluid/aerodynamic low-drag form on the outer side and on the inner side forms a chamber (18) for at least partially receiving a device (20) for retracting and extending the flap (12).

Abstract: A high-lift system on the wing of an aircraft and a method for its operation are described. High-lift flaps (2) which are arranged on the wing (1) are extended from a retracted position in order to increase the lift, and a slot (3) through which flow passes from the lower face to the upper face of the wing (1) is opened (advanced slat/flap-gap control). According to the invention, the slot (3) through which flow passes is opened independently of the position of the high-lift flap (2). This makes it possible to selectively achieve a better maximum coefficient of lift (CL) or a better lift-to-drag ratio with less noise being produced.

Abstract: A flight control surface actuation system includes a plurality of smart actuators to move aircraft flight control surfaces between extended and retracted positions. The system includes a high availability network between the flight control avionics and the smart actuators, and between each of the smart actuators. The system configuration allows network nodes associated with each smart actuator to monitor and control one another, under higher level control of the aircraft flight control avionics, to provide multiple levels of health monitoring, control, and shutdown capability.

Abstract: A system for reducing aerodynamic noise of a supplementary wing of an aircraft is provided. The supplementary wing is hinged to a main wing and is extendable when a gap region between the main wing and the supplementary wing is opened. The system includes a separating surface which can be moved into the gap region when the supplementary wing is extended and which extends at least partially along a separation flow line between a vortex flow region and a gap flow for the air flowing in the gap region. The separating surface is an n-stable surface which through an actuator device can be moved between at least one of the stable states and at least one additional state.

Abstract: Trailing edge device catchers and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A system in accordance with one embodiment includes a wing having a wing support, a trailing edge device carried by and movable relative to the wing and having a device support, and a coupling connected between the wing and the trailing edge device. The coupling can include a pivot joint that includes a pivot element aligned along a pivot axis and connected between the wing support and the device support. The coupling can further include an actuator coupled between the wing and the trailing edge device, with the actuator having a first position in which the trailing edge device is stowed, and a second position in which the trailing edge device is deployed, with an air flow gap located between the wing and the trailing edge device when the trailing edge device is in the second position. A cam track is carried by one of the wing and the trailing edge device and has opposing cam track surfaces fixed relative to each other.

Abstract: In a blade vortex interaction (BVI) noise reduction system for a helicopter a rotor blade, a tab is movable via an actuator from a first position, wherein the tab is within the blade, to a second position, wherein the tab extends outwardly from a trailing edge of the rotor blade. The actuator is operated so that the tab advances and retreats in response to rotating timing of the rotor blade, to reduce the BVI noise of the rotor blade.