Abstract: An apparatus for deploying the wings of a movable-wing aircraft includes a spherical four-bar mechanism. The spherical four-bar mechanism has a first bar to which a first wing is attached, a second bar to which a second wing is attached, a third, movable bar rotatably or movably linking the first bar to the second bar at a first respective point on each bar, and a fourth bar grounding the first and second bar at a second respective point on each bar. The spherical four-bar mechanism may be mathematically optimized for space, size, and movement by a system of kinematic equations to allow the first and second wing to open at substantially the same time without colliding with one another. The wings of the aircraft may further include a mid-wing hinge with a movable stiffening spar to allow the wings to fold to a more compact size during storage.

Abstract: An apparatus for deploying the wings of a movable-wing aircraft includes a spherical four-bar mechanism. The spherical four-bar mechanism has a first bar to which a first wing is attached, a second bar to which a second wing is attached, a third, movable bar rotatably or movably linking the first bar to the second bar at a first respective point on each bar, and a fourth bar grounding the first and second bar at a second respective point on each bar. The spherical four-bar mechanism may be mathematically optimized for space, size, and movement by a system of kinematic equations to allow the first and second wing to open at substantially the same time without colliding with one another. The wings of the aircraft may further include a mid-wing hinge with a movable stiffening spar to allow the wings to fold to a more compact size during storage.