Abstract: System for retaining or releasing a number of panels piled onto a supporting structure, such as solar panels of a spacecraft which can be deployed from the piled condition and retracted. The panels each comprise a number of passages at a distance of the edge defining a number of channels through the piled panels. A retainer extending through each channel, comprises operating elements at one side connected to control means attached to the supporting structure and at the other side connected to one or more seizing elements, which under control of said control means and through said operating elements can be moved from a retaining condition in which they seize the outer panel of the pile to a releasing condition in which they do not obstruct the deployment of the panels.

Abstract: Aircraft door of the type which during the flight is pressed all around against the door case under influence of the cabin pressure. During opening and closing the door moves by means of a hinge mechanism with two mutually parallel rotational axes and an intermediate hinge part, one of the rotational axis being connected to the door and the other being connected to the door case. When the door is opened during a first motion phase the intermediate hinge part carries out a rotational movement around the rotational axis connected to the door case whereby simultaneously the angle between the door and the intermediate hinge part is decreased, and thereafter in a second motion phase the intermediate hinge part carries out a rotational movement in the opposite direction around the rotational axis connected to the door case. When the door is closed these movements are carried out with reversed rotational directions and in reverse order.

Abstract: A wing flap assembly, in which each flap (1, 2) has its own suspension and drive mechanism (3-6) and in which two adjacent flaps substantially in line with each other have a part (16) connected for movement with one flap and extending between two abutments (18, 19) on the other flap so that, in case of a failure or disturbance in the suspension and drive mechanism of one flap, this flap is limited in movement with respect to the adjacent flap to avoid serious distorsions and other dangerous consequences of such a failure or disturbance. Preferably the part (16) extending between the abutments is a pivoting lever, so connected to one flap that it moves therewith in a plane substantially parallel to the chord plane (8) of the flaps if one flap moves with respect to the other one.