Abstract: Actuation and support mechanisms for wing trailing edge flap systems wherein each flap system has a streamwise or chordwise pair of geometrically similar flap support assemblies. Each of the flap support assemblies has a chordwise aligned cantilever support beam fixedly attached to wing structure. The beam incorporates multiple cam tracks for providing guidance and support to a movable dual carriage assembly upon which a wing trailing edge flap assembly is mounted. The dual carriage assembly comprises a fore-carriage which is articulatably connected to an aft-carriage. The wing trailing edge flap assembly is mounted upon the aft-carriage. Both the fore-carriage and the aft-carriage are individually supported by rollers constantly engaging a separate cam track for each of said carriages. For actuation of the dual carriage assembly and the wing trailing edge assembly mounted thereon, a ball screw drive mechanism is incorporated between the cantilever beam and the dual carriage assembly.

Abstract: A flap system along the trailing edge of a transonic aircraft wing which system includes segments arranged in span direction, a driving system for protraction and retraction of the segments includes a plurality of spindle drives connected to the segments such that each segment is connected to at least two spindle drives; are controlled the spindle drives in such a manner that at least some of the drives are independently controlled from each other so that the segments can pivot on vertical axes, in addition to a regular pivoting about respective horizontal axes.

Abstract: In an aircraft wing having a landing flap, a driven, flap mounting carriage being guided in rails, a tri-parted, aerodynamically contoured cover structure for the rails constructed for avoiding any formation of gaps unfavorable for aerodynamic flow over and around the wing, and having an upstream cover body, a middle cover body and a downstream cover body, the upstream body is secured to the wing; the middle body is hinged to the upstream body; the downstream body is hinged to the carriage by means of a first hinge connected to the downstream body, a biparted rocker connected to the first hinge, a second hinge connects the rocker to the carriage; the rocker has its two parts controlled by means of two rods each connected to these hinges; a downstream portion of the downstream body is connected to the flap by means of a rod hinged respectively to the downstream body and the flap, the downstream body is telescoped into the middle body and they are interconnected through pins extending from sides of the middle b

Abstract: A trailing edge flap assembly for an aircraft wing includes at its rearward end upper and lower surfaces terminating in a trailing edge portion. The assembly has a flap (15) is located in a stowed position during normal flight. A mounting beam (18) is located to the lower surface (12) of the wing, extending rearwardly thereof and below the flap (15). A carriage (23) is in rolling engagement with longitudinal guideways (53) on the mounting beam (18). To actuate the flap (15), at or about the rearward extremity of the mounting beam (18), there is provided an actuator mounting bracket (21), a rotary actuator (52), and lever arms (27, 28) assocaited with the actuator about a common substantially transverse axis of rotation. The lever arms (27, 28) extend upwardly and terminate adjacent the undersurface of the flap (15), in a pivotal attachment (22) forwardly extending actuator links (25, 26) pivotally interconnecting the lever arms (27, 28) and the carriage (23).

Abstract: A flap system for deploying high lift flaps on short takeoff and landing aircraft. The flap system utilizes an activating mechanism 27 that is used to extend a flap 12, a vane 22 and a spoiler 18 for maximum lift. The mechanism 27 utilizes relatively few linkage pieces and attached to the flap at single pivot points 44. The flap is supported by an actuator 46 and flap hinge support bracket 30. Increased mechanism rigidity and single pivot mountings allow use of roller 75 and track 74 guides at flap ends 78, 80 to smoothly guide flap movement and provide a fail-safe in case of pivot mounting failure. Spherical bearings 86 are utilized for mounting of rollers 75 and actuators 46, 60 in order to compensate for misalignment of the flap 12 and the flap mechanism 27 when used with tapered flaps on swept wing aircraft. The spoiler 22 is joined by a guide link 62 that adjusts spoiler position with flap 12 movement in order to maximize lift. The spoiler can also be used conventionally by activation of actuator 60.

Abstract: An exhaust nozzle of the type utilized with high performance supersonic aircraft is disclosed. The exhaust nozzle is variable between convergent and convergent/divergent geometries, as well as in aperture size. A bearing guiding segments of the nozzle is held within a roller track by an integral hold-down bracket.

Abstract: An aircraft trailing edge flap assembly including a main flap and an aft flap are repositioned by a dual arm rotary actuator. One arm of the rotary actuator repositions the main flap by driving a carriage assembly along a linear track. The other arm of the rotary actuator repositions the aft flap by driving a bell crank assembly which is operatively connected to an aft flap support member extending downward from the aft flap. The aft flap support member is operatively connected to a main flap support member which extends downwardly and rearwardly from the rear portion of the main flap to operatively connect with a mounting member extending downwardly and rearwardly from the track so that the track mounting member supports the majority of aerodynamic load forces applied to the flap assembly. Both arms of the rotary actuator rotate together through a predetermined arc so that the aft flap and main flap remain in a nested configuration.

Abstract: An airfoil having a trailing edge flap assembly comprising a flap member having a pair of tracks mounted thereto at spanwise spaced locations. Each track member is operatively connected to a slide member which is in turn mounted to a stationary structure. The flap member is attached to the two track members by means of pivotal links and ball joint connections to alleviate problems relating to wing deflection and also differences in linear movement of the flap member due to conical movement from the stowed to the deployed positions. Other embodiments show specific features relating to the actuating means, the track location, and the slide member location.

Abstract: A support and actuating system for large Fowler-type flaps on the trailing edge of an aircraft wing. Each flap is vertically and laterally supported at diagonally opposite corners, and the remaining leading-edge corner is vertically supported and laterally free to permit smooth and simple actuation. The flap is constructed to be torsionally stiff to eliminate need for conventional multiple flap tracks and support at the remaining trailing-edge corner. Elimination of some or all external tracks on the wing tracks provides a clean low-drag wing when the flaps are retracted in cruising flight, while enabling simple deployment of unusually large flaps for increased lift during landing, takeoff, and other low speed conditions. The flap system is useful on straight or rearwardly swept wings, and is particularly adapted to forwardly swept wings.

Abstract: A carrier unit for chordwise extending and rotatably positioning an auxiliary airfoil mounted adjacent to the trailing edge of a relatively fixed main airfoil of an airplane. When the auxiliary airfoil is in a fully retracted and stowed position, the actuation and positioning linkage mechanism of the carrier unit is completely housed within the combined auxiliary and main airfoil envelope with no external protrusions or fairings. For auxiliary airfoil extension, to increase the overall chord plane by approximately eight percent, a first set of four-bar linkages is utilized comprising: a beam member supported at a forward portion by a pair of approximately parallel links pivoted to wing structure and swingable chordwise in a generally parallel relationship for translatably shifting the auxiliary airfoil which is pivoted to a rearward portion of the beam member.

Abstract: An inboard wing trailing edge flap of an aircraft has a flap carriage mechanism located within the fuselage or a fuselage/wing fairing structure, and the flap is attached to the carriage by a torque tube which penetrates the side of the fuselage. A slot is required in the fuselage through which the torque tube can travel as the flap is extended and retracted. The slot is covered when the flap is fully retracted, but when the flap is fully extended, airflow through the slot toward the upper surface of the flap causes the flap to lose lift. Therefore, airflow blocker doors are provided for closure of the slot when the flap is fully extended. The doors are held in a closed position by a pressure differential across the slot and by spring-loaded hinges; and the doors are adapted to be opened by engagement of a ramp cam member mounted to the flap torque tube, as the flap is retracted.

Abstract: A sailset comprising a leading aerofoil and a trailing aerofoil that pivots about an axis passing through the leading aerofoil. A third comparatively small aerofoil is retractable within the leading aerofoil and extendable downwind of the trailing edge of the leading aerofoil to provide a surface overlapping the leading edge of the trailing aerofoil.Guides for the third aerofoil are preferably provided for both its leading and trailing edges, the guides comprising roller and roller tracks and/or sliding pivots.

Abstract: A mechanism for supporting and translating a wing trailing edge flap system. The flap is pivotally supported by a carriage and track at one point and the free ternary link of a four-bar linkage at a second point, to combine and form an overall six-bar linkage system of the Stephenson III type.

Abstract: Profile design for aircraft lift-wings in general aviation up to flight speeds of about 700 km/h, the profile design being determined by the path of the center line with a forward (first) and rear (second) camber maximum and with a profile droplet superposed on the center line and of a specific thickness distribution, and by the design of the profile nose to have a relatively small nose radius and relatively strong camber.

Abstract: A flap mounted in a track member for movement between a retracted and an extended position. The track member itself is pivotally mounted at a forward portion thereof for up and down rotational movement. With the flap in its retracted position, upward and downward rotation of the track causes the flap to move to upper and lower cambered positions. The flap member in its extended position forms a slot with the wing, and upward and downward rotational movement of the track changes the deflection angle of the flap member to provide greater or less lift, to optimize the wings for various cruise conditions, to alleviate gust loads and provide improved maneuverability.

Abstract: An actuation and extension mechanism for aerodynamically high-lift devices such as a wing leading edge slat or a wing trailing edge flap; wherein an aerodynamic panel is connected to one end of an extendible track member that is supported and guided by its other end through rollers fixedly mounted to wing rib structure. The track member incorporates a separate rack gear segment internally thereof as part of the extension or retraction mechanism and this combination of track and gear segment provides the primary support and drive means to the high-lift device, without compromising the structural strength, safety, or operational reliability of said combination.

Abstract: This invention relates to area changing trailing edge flaps for airfoils such as wings. This invention provides a roller retractable flexible sheet flap, which when deployed is supported by deployed airfoil mounted flap side support member(s), to which the side edge(s) of the flexible sheet flap are attached by a slide fastener. Slotted and blown flap variants of the invention, as well as othe variants, are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A swinging drive link (10) is pivotally connected at its lower end (18) to a forward support (16) for a flap (20). The flap rear support is provided by a pivotal connection (24) between a rear support point and the lower end of a swing link (22). The upper end of the swing link (22) is pivotally connected (31) to the upper end of a support link (26) and the rear end of a slave link (30). The lower end of the support link (26) is attached (27) to a beam structure (28) projecting rearwardly from the main wing section (13, 29). The forward end of the slave link (30) is pivotally attached (40) to an intermediate portion of the drive link (10). Rearward rotation of drive link (10) causes the flap (20) to translate rearwardly with a small amount of downward rotation until the flap (20) is essentially completely extended. Then, further extension of the mechanism rotates the flap (20) a substantial amount downwardly. In a double slot embodiment (FIGS.

Abstract: Variable camber actuator assemblies 50 broaden the range of speeds at which lift to drag performance is maximized for slotted flap wings. Lift is improved over a broader range of cruising speeds by varying wing camber with rotational flap movements that do not introduce wing slots and induced drag. Forward flaps 40 are secured to forward flange links 26 which extend from, and are a part of, forward flap linkage assemblies 20. The forward flaps 40 rotate about flap pivots 39 with their rotational displacement controlled by variable camber actuator assemblies 50 located between the forward flaps and the forward flange links. Rear flaps 45 are held relative to the forward flaps 40 by rear flap linkage assemblies 70 which may act independently from the forward flap linkage assemblies and the variable camber actuator assemblies. Wing camber is varied by rotating the flaps with the variable camber actuator assemblies while the flaps are in a deployed or tucked position.

Abstract: An airfoil having a trailing edge flap assembly comprising a flap member having a track mounted thereto. The track member is operatively connected to a slide-block which is in turn mounted to stationary structure. High Fowler motion is accomplished with this arrangement. In another embodiment the flap is additionally provided with a foreflap. In further embodiments, the flap assembly is provided additionally with aft flaps.

Abstract: A rear-edge flap is held on an aircraft wing by means of two pantograph-like guide systems carrying swivel heads on which the flap is pivoted. Control arms extend from the guide systems to cause the flap to be pivoted and the guide systems extend the flap. Details concerning bearings and kinematics are disclosed. Application of the invention to all rear flaps of two aircraft wings is described.

Abstract: A wing leading edge slat actuation and positioning system, wherein a slat panel is connected to one end of an extensible track member which is supported and guided at its other end, by rollers mounted to fixed structure in the leading edge section of the wing. The actuation and positioning system comprises a unified drive and a programming mechanism which is connected to the slat panel and functions to combine an aerodynamic slot opening or closure operation with a slat extension drive mechanism. The unified drive and programming mechanism comprises a contoured camtrack somewhat in the shape of an S-camtrack and having a roller follower which is connected to a link and drive arm; and this combination allows synchronization of slat actuation with programming control of slat angle-of-deflection and aerodynamic slot opening or closure.

Abstract: An aircraft wing and flap arrangement comprises a fixed wing (1) a flap (2) pivoted at (3) to the fixed wing and a variable camber upper surface member (6) anchored to the fixed wing and resiliently biased toward the flap at all times; a cam track (9) secured to upper surface member (6) and associated cam track engaging member (10) on an arm (11) secured to the flap to control movement of the upper surface member so that on relatively small deflections of the flap (2) the upper surface of the wing is substantially continuous, while on relatively large downward deflections the upper surface is urged, by cam track engaging member (10), away from the flap (2) to open a slot (12); the arrangement may include a lower surface member (14) which is urged towards the upper surface membr (6) on relatively large downward deflections of the flap (2).

Abstract: An airfoil having a trailing edge flap assembly comprising a flap member which in its stowed position is located above a fixed mounting structure. There is a rear pivot link connected at its lower end to the mounting structure and by its upper end to an aft portion of the flap. There is a forward slideway by which the forward part of the flap is mounted for longitudinal slide motion relative to the fixed mounting structure. The flap has a stowed position in the rear portion of the wing, and is movable rearwardly with substantial Fowler motion to an intermediate position for take-off, and movable further rearwardly to a fully extended position where the flap extends rearwardly and downwardly for take-off.

Abstract: An airplane is disclosed which has a pair of fixed, outwardly extending delta wings extending laterally from a fuselage, a set of initial flaps pivotably attached to the rear of the fixed wings, a set of dependent flaps pivotably attached to the rear of the initial flaps, and a variable positionable concomitant stablizer located at the rear of the dependent flaps forming the rear of the delta wings during the high-speed configuration capable of achieving independence from the fixed wings upon actuation of the flap system; the above components all locked together to form the delta wing during high-speed flight with an actuator which also serves as a stress supporter for the flap system during its actuation.

Abstract: A variable camber wing which may act as an aileron and as a slotted flap comprises a leading wing portion 1, a chordwise arm 4 tiltably mounted thereon and carrying a flap element 5, and an intermediate wing portion 6 slidably mounted on the chordwise arm by means of trackways 8 and associated rollers 9. An upper flexible but inextensible skin 11 is anchored to both the leading wing portion 1 and the intermediate wing portion 6. Downward tilting of the arm 4 from a median position causes the upper skin 11 to draw the intermediate wing portion 6 away from the flap element 5. On tilting through small angles, the intermediate wing portion 6 moves chordwise and the skin 11 slides over flap element 5 and defines a smooth and continuous surface between the leading wing portion 1 and the flap element, while on tilting through large angles, the intermediate wing portion moves upwardly relative to the flap element and lifts the skin 11 therefrom.

Abstract: An airfoil having a trailing edge flap assembly comprising a fore flap and an aft flap. A fixed mounting structure is positioned below the flaps when in their stowed position, and there is a first common link pivotally connected to the mounting structure and to each of the two flaps. A second link interconnects the mounting structure with the fore flap, and a third link connects a mounting arm of the fore flap to the aft flap. Thus, the common link forms with the second link and upwardly extending four-bar linkage to move the fore flap to its deployed position, and the common link forms with the third link a second upwardly extending four-bar linkage which deploys the aft flap to its extended position.

Abstract: A nozzle for a jet stream in which the rear edge of the nozzle has a number of notches spaced therealong to widen the jet stream while directing the jet stream rearwardly of the nozzle. Each notch has a narrow front apex and a rear opening substantially wider than the apex, and each notch widens substantially smoothly and progressively from its apex to its rear opening, each notch having sides which at least over a major portion of their length diverge from each other at an angle of at least 60 degrees, and preferably at least 90 degrees. The nozzle will commonly blow into a diffuser to provide thrust augmentation but may also be used simply to blow over a flap, or it may be used without any diffusers or flaps, simply to provide noise reduction. So long as the notch divergence angle is wide enough, loss of nozzle efficiency is minimized, and when a diffuser is used, thrust augmentation is increased.

Abstract: A propulsion system for an airplane to permit it to achieve vertical and/or short take-offs and landings. The propulsion system is integrated into a wing/nacelle unit and includes a thrust vectoring system. A separate flow turbofan engine is mounted in each wing/nacelle unit. A system of three flaps is located at the rear of each wing/nacelle unit for deflecting the turbofan engine exhaust downward, rearward, or any angle in between. These three flaps are arranged to provide a main thrust nozzle in the horizontal flight position without any additional flaps between them. One flap is located at the wing/nacelle upper surface trailing edge. Two slots are provided at the leading edge of this flap. The upper forward most slot is provided as an exit nozzle for the engine turbine exhaust, which is shrouded from the fan exhaust. The second of these two slots removes a portion of the high energy fan exhaust from the fan discharge duct and ejects it over a flap upper surface.

Abstract: A trailing edge flap moveable from a stowed position behind a wing to a downwardly and rearwardly extending position to deflect jet exhaust from an upper surface blowing jet engine downwardly and rearwardly to augment lift. The actuating mechanism rotates the flap about a variable radius which maintains the upper surface of the flap in contact with and generally in tangential alignment with the trailing edge of the upper surface of the wing. This mechanism comprises forward and rear radius links pivotally mounted at their lower ends to a stationary mounting arm, and extending upwardly and divergently therefrom to attach to the flap. In two embodiments, the rear radius link has its pivot end mounted to a moveable member which in turn enables the flap to be rotated so that its forward end moves downwardly. Thus, in its fully deployed position, the flap can be rotated to form a slot between the aft end of the wing and the leading edge of the flap.

Abstract: Dual flap sections are supported by linkage, first for chordwise movement of the forward flap section rearwardly from the wing and for chordwise movement of the rear flap section rearwardly from the forward flap section, and then for tilting of the two flap sections conjointly to increase their angle of incidence relative to the wing. The forward flap section is supported by motion-amplifying compound linkage for effecting chordwise movement of the forward flap section relative to the wing, and the rear flap section is supported by motion-amplifying compound linkage from the forward flap section for effecting chordwise movement of the rear flap section relative to the forward flap section. Control mechanism for both motion-amplifying compound linkages is connected to the wing and is movable first to actuate the linkages primarily for shifting the two flap sections chordwise rearwardly from the wing and then primarily to tilt the foward and rear flap sections conjointly to increase their angle of incidence.

Abstract: A method of obtaining on-line data useful in determining the center of area or centroid of a geometrical area of unspecified shape lying in a larger x-y scan field and having its existence indicated by a level discriminated amplitude or intensity or a parameter measurable in the z-dimension comprising; scanning the x-y field in a known raster pattern and obtaining a series of discrete output voltage pulses related to elemental x-y points in the scan field and having an amplitude related to the amplitude or intensity of the said parameter; generating a series of discrete clock pulses related to elemental x-y points in the scan field; obtaining a series of x and y synchronizing pulses from and related to the x-y scan field; establishing in relation to the clock pulses and the x and y synchronizing pulses a smaller x-y scan field in the form of a rectangular window around the geometrical area in the larger x-y scan field, the boundaries as x-y co-ordinates of the said window being known; identifying, from the se

Abstract: A pair of motion-amplifying flap linkages connected externally to the undersurface of a tapered planform airfoil and being spaced apart spanwise thereof for a combined pseudo conical extension movement of a tapered-chord flap section. The pair of flap linkage mechanisms conjointly first extending the tapered chord flap section chordwise of the airfoil and then rotatably tilting the flap to increase its angle of incidence, such that the chordwise length of movement and rotation of the flap, is proportional to the length of the airfoil chord at that cross-section of the airfoil; and approximates a conic motion of the flap relative to the airfoil.

Abstract: A trailing edge system including spoilers and flaps in which the spoilers serve as both spoilers and as fairing surfaces which 1) maintain smooth upper wing surface contours for all flap positions and 2) enable relatively small, lighter weight flaps to have the effects of larger, heavier ones.

Abstract: An airfoil having a trailing edge flap assembly comprising a flap member having a track mounted thereto. The track member is operatively connected to a slide-block which is in turn mounted to stationary structure. High Fowler motion is accomplished with this arrangement. In another embodiment the flap is additionally provided with a foreflap. In further embodiments, the flap assembly is provided additionally with aft flaps.