Abstract: There is provided an expandable strut assembly for a wing of an aircraft, having a strut with a strut cross section with an airfoil shape, and the strut having an outboard end coupled to the wing, an inboard end coupled to a fuselage, and an elongate body, and having at least one shape transition assembly connected to the strut. Each shape transition assembly is configured to transition the strut between a contracted position and an expanded position, and is configured to transition the strut cross section between a contracted airfoil shape and an expanded airfoil shape. Each shape transition assembly has a shape transition mechanism attached to an interior of the strut. The shape transition mechanism includes fixed length structural members, and a drive mechanism of variable length structural member(s), includes an actuation mechanism connected to the shape transition mechanism, and an activation mechanism coupled to the actuation mechanism.

Abstract: There is provided a strut assembly for a wing of an aircraft. The strut assembly has a strut having an outboard end, an inboard end, and an elongate body. The outboard end is coupled to the wing of the aircraft, and the inboard end is coupled to a fuselage of the aircraft. The strut assembly further has at least one tensioner member having a first end coupled to the strut. The strut assembly further has a first fitting element having a through opening receiving a first portion of the strut and a bearing surface facing inboard. The strut assembly further has a second fitting element having a through opening receiving a second portion of the strut and a bearing surface facing outboard. The at least one tensioner member maintains tension in the strut, to keep the strut taut and in tension, to prevent or to minimize drooping of the strut.

Abstract: There is provided an expandable strut assembly for a wing of an aircraft, having a strut with a strut cross section with an airfoil shape, and the strut having an outboard end coupled to the wing, an inboard end coupled to a fuselage, and an elongate body, and having at least one shape transition assembly connected to the strut. Each shape transition assembly is configured to transition the strut between a contracted position and an expanded position, and is configured to transition the strut cross section between a contracted airfoil shape and an expanded airfoil shape. Each shape transition assembly has a shape transition mechanism attached to an interior of the strut. The shape transition mechanism includes fixed length structural members, and a drive mechanism of variable length structural member(s), includes an actuation mechanism connected to the shape transition mechanism, and an activation mechanism coupled to the actuation mechanism.

Abstract: There is provided a strut assembly for a wing of an aircraft. The strut assembly has a strut having an outboard end, an inboard end, and an elongate body. The outboard end is coupled to the wing of the aircraft, and the inboard end is coupled to a fuselage of the aircraft. The strut assembly further has at least one tensioner member having a first end coupled to the strut. The strut assembly further has a first fitting element having a through opening receiving a first portion of the strut and a bearing surface facing inboard. The strut assembly further has a second fitting element having a through opening receiving a second portion of the strut and a bearing surface facing outboard. The at least one tensioner member maintains tension in the strut, to keep the strut taut and in tension, to prevent or to minimize drooping of the strut.