Abstract: A variable camber system for an aircraft may include a variable camber trim unit (VCTU) positioned between an inboard device and an outboard device. The inboard device and the outboard device may be mounted to at least one of a leading edge and a trailing edge of a wing. The VCTU may include a speed sum gearbox having an inboard shaft coupled to the inboard device and an outboard shaft coupled to the outboard device. The VCTU may additionally include a VCTU electric motor engaged to the speed sum gearbox. The VCTU electric motor may be selectively operable in conjunction with the speed sum gearbox to rotate the outboard shaft independent of the inboard shaft in a manner causing the outboard device to be actuated independent of the inboard device.

Abstract: A system for optimizing performance of an aircraft may include a flight control computer for computing an optimum flap setting based on aircraft data. The system may further include a flap control system having a flap control device. The system may additionally include a flap actuation system coupled to the flap control system for positioning the trailing edge device at the optimum flap setting.

Abstract: A slat control system for an aircraft may include a flight control computer configured to generate a gap command in response to an occurrence of a gap-command condition. The slat control system may further include an edge control system including an edge control device having a plurality of control device positions including at least one designated control device position. The slat control system may additionally include a device actuation system configured to move a leading edge device of an aircraft. The edge control system may be configured to automatically command the device actuation system to extend the leading edge device from a sealed position to a gapped position when the edge control device is in the designated control device position and the gap command is received by the edge control system.

Abstract: An adaptive trailing edge system for an aircraft may include an adaptive trailing edge element mounted to a trailing edge. An electric motor actuator having an electric motor may be configured to actuate the adaptive trailing edge element. A linkage system may couple the electric motor actuator to the adaptive trailing edge element for actuation thereof.

Abstract: A system for varying a wing camber of an aircraft wing may include a leading edge device coupled to the wing. The leading edge device may be configured to be actuated in an upward direction and a downward direction relative to a retracted position of the leading edge device.

Abstract: A system for optimizing a flap setting of an aircraft may include a flap optimizing computer configured to compute an optimum flap setting for one or more flaps of an aircraft. The system may further include a flap control system communicatively coupled to the flap optimizing computer. The flap control system may be operable to select any one of a plurality of flap settings including a designated flap setting. The flap control system may be configured to automatically command the one or more flaps from a first position to a second position corresponding to the optimum flap setting in response to the selection of one of the plurality of flap settings using the flap control system.

Abstract: An system for increasing the descent rate of an aircraft may include a flight control computer, an edge control system, and a speedbrake control device. The flight control computer may be configured to compute a first setting for a leading edge device and/or a trailing edge device of an aircraft wing. The edge control system may be communicatively coupled to the flight control computer and may include an edge control device having a plurality of control device positions including a cruise position. The speedbrake control device may include a plurality of speedbrake detents including a flight detent. The edge control system may be configured to automatically command the leading edge device, the trailing edge device, or both, to a deflection angle corresponding to the first setting if the edge control device is in the cruise position and the speedbrake control device is in the flight detent.

Abstract: A damage-detection apparatus for an aircraft may include a composite structure comprising embedded conductive traces. The embedded conductive traces may be for transmitting a damage-detection signal to indicate if the composite structure has been damaged.

Abstract: A damage-detection apparatus for an aircraft may include a composite structure comprising embedded conductive traces. The embedded conductive traces may be for transmitting a damage-detection signal to indicate if the composite structure has been damaged.