Abstract: A bell crank mechanism is configured to at least indirectly link movement of an aircraft wing spoiler-like hinge panel to the movement of a primary flight control device on an aircraft wing trailing edge. The aircraft wing is configured to be fixed to and to extend from an aircraft fuselage, the wing including a leading edge and a trailing edge. The primary flight control device is attached to the trailing edge, and any movement of the control device is directly subject to an aircraft input controller by a linear actuator. The moveable aerodynamic hinge panel, a secondary control device, is situated proximally to the primary flight control device, and the hinge panel is separately attached to the trailing edge. The bell crank mechanism slaves any hinge panel motion to movements of the primary control device.

Abstract: A primary flight control device for an aircraft, such as a flaperon attached to an aircraft wing, utilizes independent yet interactive airgap control systems designed to avoid weight penalties associated with conventionally used cam and track systems. An actuator directly controls movements of the flaperon; the flaperon motion is then used to slave separate movements of secondary flight control devices, such as a flaperon hinge panel and a cove lip door, to various positions of the flaperon for indirect control of aerodynamic air gaps during flight. The use of a bell crank for indirectly slaving the flaperon hinge panel movements to the flaperon avoids conventionally used cam and track systems. Although the cove lip door utilizes a separate linkage system, the bell crank and cove lip door linkage systems work in conjunction to assure desired aerodynamic airflows over the aircraft wing and flaperon structures.

Abstract: Movement of an aerodynamic cove lip door is directly slaved to real time movement of a trailing edge control device operably secured to an aircraft wing. The cove lip door is adapted to move relative to the movement of the control device for managing aerodynamic air gaps. For this purpose, a cove lip door mechanism is defined to include an actuator and an aircraft input controller, wherein movement of the control device is subject to the actuator via the input controller. A bell crank mechanism is coupled to the control device to link movement of the actuator directly to movement of the control device. The cove lip door is separately attached to the trailing edge, positioned proximal to the control device. The actuator is configured to also control movement of the cove lip door as a function of movement of the control device to optimize operational aerodynamic performance and efficiency.

Abstract: A bell crank mechanism is configured to at least indirectly link any movement of an aircraft wing spoiler-like hinge panel to the movement of an aircraft wing trailing edge flight control device. The aircraft wing is configured to be fixed to and to extend from an aircraft fuselage, the wing including a leading edge and a trailing edge. The flight control device is attached to the trailing edge, and any movement of the control device is directly subject to an aircraft input controller. The moveable aerodynamic hinge panel is situated proximally to the control device, and the hinge panel is separately attached to the trailing edge. As configured, the bell crank mechanism assures that any hinge panel motion is slaved to the control device in a manner intended to optimize aerodynamic performance and efficiency.