Abstract: A linear actuator driven flap mechanism for an aircraft wing is contained within a wing support and fairing of the aircraft wing. The rib frame of the flap mechanism is attached to the wingbox structure of the aircraft wing at a first and second point. The rib frame of the flap mechanism defines a width with a first and second web. A linear actuator and a motion linkage are positioned with the width between the first and second webs of the rib frame. The linear actuator is not mechanically driven rotary actuation or mechanically driven linear actuation. As a result of the compact construction, the flap mechanism can be employed in thinner, smaller aircraft wings being designed today.

Abstract: Wing assemblies (100) comprise one or more wing support structures (24), an inboard-most flap (32), one or more flap supports (28) that operatively couple the inboard-most flap (32) to the one or more wing support structures (24), and one or more flap actuators (31) configured to operatively move the inboard-most flap (32) relative to the one or more flap supports (28). The flap support(s) (28) comprise at least an inboard-most inboard-flap support (106), the flap actuator(s) (31) comprise at least an inboard-most inboard-flap actuator (108) that is outboard of the inboard edge (102) of the inboard-most flap (32), and the inboard-most inboard-flap actuator (108) is spaced-away from the inboard-most inboard-flap support (106).

Abstract: Thermal anti-icing systems are disclosed. An example anti-icing system includes a housing defining an inner recess, a first support fitting, a second support fitting spaced away from the first support fitting. The housing is positioned between the first support fitting and the second support fitting. The first support fitting, the second support fitting and an outer wall of the housing define a heating chamber that is fluidly separated from the inner recess.

Abstract: Wing assemblies comprise one or more wing support structures, an inboard-most flap, and one or more flap supports that operatively couple the inboard-most flap to the wing support structure(s). The flap support(s) comprise at least an inboard-most inboard-flap support that is outboard of the inboard edge of the inboard-most flap.

Abstract: Wing assemblies (100) comprise one or more wing support structures (24), an inboard-most flap (32), one or more flap supports (28) that operatively couple the inboard-most flap (32) to the one or more wing support structures (24), and one or more flap actuators (31) configured to operatively move the inboard-most flap (32) relative to the one or more flap supports (28). The flap support(s) (28) comprise at least an inboard-most inboard-flap support (106), the flap actuator(s) (31) comprise at least an inboard-most inboard-flap actuator (108) that is outboard of the inboard edge (102) of the inboard-most flap (32), and the inboard-most inboard-flap actuator (108) is spaced-away from the inboard-most inboard-flap support (106).

Abstract: A hinge mechanism for hingedly coupling a flight control member having a top surface to an aircraft component having a top surface includes a first hinge member pivotably coupled to the flight control member about a first axis and slidingly coupled to the aircraft component and a second hinge member pivotably coupled to the aircraft component about a second axis and slidingly coupled to the flight control member. The first hinge member is pivotably coupled to the second hinge member about a central axis. The first hinge member and the second hinge member are configured to cooperatively facilitate movement the flight control member relative to the aircraft component between at least a stowed position and a deployed position.

Abstract: A hinge mechanism for hingedly coupling a flight control member having a top surface to an aircraft component having a top surface includes a first hinge member pivotably coupled to the flight control member about a first axis and slidingly coupled to the aircraft component and a second hinge member pivotably coupled to the aircraft component about a second axis and slidingly coupled to the flight control member. The first hinge member is pivotably coupled to the second hinge member about a central axis. The first hinge member and the second hinge member are configured to cooperatively facilitate movement the flight control member relative to the aircraft component between at least a stowed position and a deployed position.

Abstract: Thermal anti-icing systems are disclosed. An example anti-icing system includes a housing defining an inner recess, a first support fitting, a second support fitting spaced away from the first support fitting. The housing is positioned between the first support fitting and the second support fitting. The first support fitting, the second support fitting and an outer wall of the housing define a heating chamber that is fluidly separated from the inner recess.

Abstract: A jam detection system for a flap of a wing of an aircraft includes a linkage coupled to the flap and a support of the wing, and a sensor configured to detect a position of at least a portion of the linkage. The sensor is further configured to compare the position of the least a portion of the linkage to a jam threshold to determine if a jam condition exists. The linkage can also be coupled to a carriage moveably coupled to the support.

Abstract: A system to arrest flap over-travel employs a track engaging a flap to a support structure. The track has a deployment profile determining flap motion relative to the support structure during travel between an extended position and a normal retracted position. The deployment profile has a transition portion extending beyond the normal retracted position and terminating in a detent. A resiliently mounted catcher is configured to be displaced by the transition portion during over-travel of the flap beyond the normal retracted position and captured in the detent in a maximum retracted position thereby restraining the flap.

Abstract: A flap support mechanism includes a track rotatably connected to an aft fitting of a wing. A forward roller and an aft roller extend laterally from a flap structure, the forward roller and aft roller constrained in a slot in the track. The slot has a profile configured to induce both translation and rotation in the flap, in concert with rotation of the track about the aft fitting, thereby passively mirroring motion of the flap induced by an actuator driven primary main flap support.

Abstract: A flap support mechanism includes a carrier beam on which a flap is mounted. The carrier beam is rotatably mounted to a flap support for rotation relative to a wing. A crankshaft assembly is rotatable about an axis and has a crankshaft eccentrically extending between an inboard cylindrical support and an outboard cylindrical support. A coupler link is rotatably engaged to the crankshaft and pivotally connected to the carrier beam. Rotation of the crankshaft from a first eccentric position to a second eccentric position translates the coupler link between a retracted position and a deployed position.

Abstract: A flap actuation mechanism incorporates a coupler rod eccentrically supported at an aft end and at a forward end. The coupler rod is configured to translate from an aft position to a forward position. An inboard crank arm is coupled to the rotary actuator and engaged to the aft end of the coupler rod. The inboard crank is configured rotate responsive to rotation of the rotary actuator thereby inducing translation of the coupler rod. An outboard crank arm engaged to a forward end of the coupler rod and is configured to rotate responsive to translation of the coupler rod. A flap drive arm is attached to the outboard crank arm and is configured to rotate with the outboard crank arm from a stowed position to a deployed position responsive to translation of the coupler rod from the aft position to the forward position.

Abstract: A flap support mechanism includes a carrier beam on which a flap is mounted. The carrier beam is rotatably mounted at a fixed rotational axis and has a pair of flanges, each flange having an aperture, and a channel extending aft from the pair of flanges. A fuse pin is received through the aperture in each flange. A coupler link is attached to an actuator at a first end and pivotally engaged to the carrier beam by the fuse pin. Extension of the coupler link by the actuator rotates the carrier beam from a stowed position to a deployed position. Responsive to a moment induced on the flap and carrier beam by a ground contact load, the fuse pin is frangible to shear releasing the coupler link to translate into the channel.

Abstract: A flap actuation system employed in an aircraft wing with a flap having an internal structure employs a drive link pivotally attached at a top end with a drive axle to a forward lug on the internal structure and pivotally attached at a bottom end with a first pivot axle to a flap support element. An actuator is operably coupled to the drive link intermediate the top end and bottom end. A trailing link is pivotally attached at a leading end with a second pivot axle to the flap support element and pivotally attached at a trailing end with a reaction axle to an aft fitting on the internal structure. A catcher link is pivotally attached at a bottom end to the flap support element and at a top end to an intermediate fitting engaged to the internal structure.

Abstract: A flap support fairing system incorporates a fairing attached to a flap and deployed downward with the flap during flap extension. The fairing has an inboard butterfly portion mounted with an inboard hinge and an outboard butterfly portion mounted with in outboard hinge. A fairing deployment mechanism is responsive to flap extension and is configured to rotate the inboard butterfly portion laterally inboard about the inboard hinge relative to an airflow direction and to rotate the outboard butterfly portion laterally outboard about the outboard hinge relative to the airflow direction. Upon flap extension, rotation of the inboard and outboard butterfly portions reduces impingement of a core engine plume on the deployed fairing.

Abstract: A flap actuation mechanism incorporates a flap bracket attached to a flap and coupled to an underwing structure with a pivotal coupling. A crankshaft is configured for over center rotation and has aligned inboard and outboard crank arms extending from axially spaced inboard and outboard journals disposed in the underwing structure and configured to rotate about a rotation axis of the inboard and outboard journals. A crank pin is connected between the inboard and outboard crank arms. An actuating rod has a first end rotatably coupled to the crank pin and a second end coupled to the flap bracket. Rotation of the crankshaft displaces the actuating rod to cause rotation of the flap bracket and the flap.

Abstract: A wing stall compensation mechanism employs an upper door having forward upper hinge end pivotally coupled to an upper wing structure for rotation about an upper axis and a free aft upper end. A lower door has a free aft lower end and a forward lower hinge end pivotally coupled to a lower wing structure for rotation about a lower axis and a 2-bar coupler linkage is disposed between and pivotally coupled to the upper door and lower door. Downward rotation of the upper door in response to wing surface airflow separation causes contraction of the coupler linkage inducing upward rotation of the lower door from a closed position that inhibits airflow through a flap slot to an open position that enables airflow through the flap slot, to thereby restore wing surface airflow effectiveness.

Abstract: A flap support mechanism includes a carrier beam on which a flap is mounted. The carrier beam is rotatably mounted to a flap support for rotation relative to a wing. A crankshaft assembly is rotatable about an axis and has a crankshaft eccentrically extending between an inboard cylindrical support and an outboard cylindrical support. A coupler link is rotatably engaged to the crankshaft and pivotally connected to the carrier beam. Rotation of the crankshaft from a first eccentric position to a second eccentric position translates the coupler link between a retracted position and a deployed position.

Abstract: A system to arrest flap over-travel employs a track extending from a flap and engaging an auxiliary support. The track has a deployment profile determining flap motion relative to the support structure during travel between an extended position and a normal retracted position. The deployment profile has a transition portion extending beyond the normal retracted position and terminating in a detent. A resiliently mounted catcher is configured to be displaced by the transition portion during over-travel of the flap beyond the normal retracted position and captured in the detent in a maximum retracted position thereby restraining the flap.