Abstract: Example flap actuation systems and related methods are disclosed herein. An example control surface actuation system includes processor circuitry to cause a first actuator to generate an output to operatively couple the first actuator to a first drive arm; cause a second actuator to generate an output to operatively couple the second actuator to a second drive arm; cause the first actuator and the second actuator to move a control surface when the first actuator and the second actuator are in an operative state; detect the first actuator as in a failed state; and in response to the first actuator being in the failed state, cause first actuator to refrain from generating the output to disrupt the operative coupling between the first actuator and the first drive arm; and cause the second actuator to move the control surface via the first drive arm and the second drive arm.

Abstract: Example flap actuation systems and related methods are disclosed herein. An example control surface actuation system includes processor circuitry to cause a first actuator to generate an output to operatively couple the first actuator to a first drive arm; cause a second actuator to generate an output to operatively couple the second actuator to a second drive arm; cause the first actuator and the second actuator to move a control surface when the first actuator and the second actuator are in an operative state; detect the first actuator as in a failed state; and in response to the first actuator being in the failed state, cause first actuator to refrain from generating the output to disrupt the operative coupling between the first actuator and the first drive arm; and cause the second actuator to move the control surface via the first drive arm and the second drive arm.

Abstract: Example flap actuation systems and related methods are disclosed herein. An example flap actuation system includes a first actuator, a second actuator, a first drive arm coupled to the first actuator and to a flap, a second drive arm coupled to the second actuator and to the flap, a first cam, and a first output shaft. The first cam is to couple to the first drive to enable the first actuator to actuate the flap via the first drive arm. The example flap actuation system includes a second cam and a second output shaft. The first cam is to be uncoupled from the first drive arm in response to a failure of the first actuator. The second actuator is to actuate the flap via the first drive arm and the second drive arm in response to the failure of the first actuator.

Abstract: Aircrafts having foldable wings are disclosed. An example aircraft includes a fixed wing portion, a foldable wing tip, and a hinge interface to pivotally couple the foldable wing tip and the fixed wing portion. The hinge interface has a first hinge defining a hinge axis that is substantially parallel to a fuselage centerline. The first hinge has a first dimension in a spanwise direction and a second dimension in a chordwise direction. The first dimension is greater than the second dimension.

Abstract: Foldable aircraft wings are disclosed. An example aircraft includes a foldable wing having a fixed wing portion, a foldable wing portion and a hinge to pivotally couple the foldable wing portion relative to the fixed wing portion. The hinge includes a wing transition portion including wing hinge ribs and wing stub ribs, respective ones of the wing hinge ribs coupled to corresponding respective ones of the wing stub ribs. The hinge also includes a tip transition portion including tip hinge ribs, where respective ends of the tip hinge ribs positioned between corresponding respective ones of the wing hinge ribs and the wing stub ribs.

Abstract: A nut plate assembly includes a base plate having base plate openings. The nut plate assembly includes channel fittings coupled to the bottom of the base plate each having a main body with a top facing the bottom of the base plate. Each channel fitting has a nut cap channel at the bottom of the main body aligned with the opening in the main body. The nut plate assembly includes nut caps received in the nut cap channels coupled to the channel fittings and positioned below the bottom of the main body. Each nut cap has a pocket holding a nut to receive a fastener used to secure the base plate to the mounting structure from an exterior surface of the mounting structure through the base plate and the main body of the channel fitting.

Abstract: Example flap actuation systems and related methods are disclosed herein. An example flap actuation system includes a first actuator, a second actuator, a first drive arm coupled to the first actuator and to a flap, a second drive arm coupled to the second actuator and to the flap, a first cam, and a first output shaft. The first cam is to couple to the first drive to enable the first actuator to actuate the flap via the first drive arm. The example flap actuation system includes a second cam and a second output shaft. The first cam is to be uncoupled from the first drive arm in response to a failure of the first actuator. The second actuator is to actuate the flap via the first drive arm and the second drive arm in response to the failure of the first actuator.

Abstract: Aircraft wing composite ribs having electrical grounding paths are described. An example composite rib includes a carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) panel, a metallic rib post, a metallic fitting, and a metallic grounding member. The metallic rib post is coupled to the CFRP panel and configured to be coupled to a spar of an aircraft wing, the spar being coupled to a current return network (CRN) cable. The metallic fitting is coupled to the CFRP panel and configured to be coupled to a skin panel of the aircraft wing. The metallic grounding member is positioned between the CFRP panel and the metallic fitting. The metallic grounding member provides an electrical grounding path extending from the metallic fitting to the metallic rib post.

Abstract: A nut plate assembly includes a base plate having base plate openings. The nut plate assembly includes channel fittings coupled to the bottom of the base plate each having a main body with a top facing the bottom of the base plate. Each channel fitting has a nut cap channel at the bottom of the main body aligned with the opening in the main body. The nut plate assembly includes nut caps received in the nut cap channels coupled to the channel fittings and positioned below the bottom of the main body. Each nut cap has a pocket holding a nut to receive a fastener used to secure the base plate to the mounting structure from an exterior surface of the mounting structure through the base plate and the main body of the channel fitting.

Abstract: Metallic fittings for coupling composite ribs to skin panels of aircraft wings are described. An example metallic fitting includes a through hole configured to receive a fastener. The fastener is configured to couple the metallic fitting to a composite rib of an aircraft wing. The example metallic fitting further includes a bore configured to receive a bolt. The example metallic fitting further includes a cavity intersecting the bore. The cavity has an access opening. The example metallic fitting further includes a barrel nut located within the cavity. The barrel nut is configured to threadably engage the bolt to couple the metallic fitting to a skin panel of the aircraft wing. The example metallic fitting further includes a seal located within the cavity. The seal is configured to close the access opening.

Abstract: Aircrafts having foldable wings are disclosed. An example aircraft includes a fixed wing portion, a foldable wing tip, and a hinge interface to pivotally couple the foldable wing tip and the fixed wing portion. The hinge interface has a first hinge defining a hinge axis that is substantially parallel to a fuselage centerline. The first hinge has a first dimension in a spanwise direction and a second dimension in a chordwise direction. The first dimension is greater than the second dimension.

Abstract: Foldable aircraft wings are disclosed. An example aircraft includes a foldable wing having a fixed wing portion, a foldable wing portion and a hinge to pivotally couple the foldable wing portion relative to the fixed wing portion. The hinge includes a wing transition portion including wing hinge ribs and wing stub ribs, respective ones of the wing hinge ribs coupled to corresponding respective ones of the wing stub ribs. The hinge also includes a tip transition portion including tip hinge ribs, where respective ends of the tip hinge ribs positioned between corresponding respective ones of the wing hinge ribs and the wing stub ribs.

Abstract: Aircraft wing composite ribs having electrical grounding paths are described. An example composite rib includes a carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) panel, a metallic rib post, a metallic fitting, and a metallic grounding member. The metallic rib post is coupled to the CFRP panel and configured to be coupled to a spar of an aircraft wing, the spar being coupled to a current return network (CRN) cable. The metallic fitting is coupled to the CFRP panel and configured to be coupled to a skin panel of the aircraft wing. The metallic grounding member is positioned between the CFRP panel and the metallic fitting. The metallic grounding member provides an electrical grounding path extending from the metallic fitting to the metallic rib post.

Abstract: Metallic fittings for coupling composite ribs to skin panels of aircraft wings are described. An example metallic fitting includes a through hole configured to receive a fastener. The fastener is configured to couple the metallic fitting to a composite rib of an aircraft wing. The example metallic fitting further includes a bore configured to receive a bolt. The example metallic fitting further includes a cavity intersecting the bore. The cavity has an access opening. The example metallic fitting further includes a barrel nut located within the cavity. The barrel nut is configured to threadably engage the bolt to couple the metallic fitting to a skin panel of the aircraft wing. The example metallic fitting further includes a seal located within the cavity. The seal is configured to close the access opening.

Abstract: A jet engine support structure includes an inboard support fitting that is configured to be operatively attached to the jet engine, an outboard support fitting that is configured to be operatively attached to the jet engine, an inboard longeron that is configured to be attached to the inboard support fitting and an exterior underside surface of an aircraft wing, an outboard longeron that is configured to be attached to the outboard support fitting and the exterior underside surface of the wing, and a drag brace fitting that is configured to be attached to the inboard longeron and the outboard longeron and operatively attached to the jet engine. These component parts are employed in operatively attaching the jet engine to the aircraft wing. The same set of component parts is employed in operatively attaching the jet engine to either a left side or port side wing or to operatively attach a jet engine to a right side or starboard side wing.

Abstract: A wing assembly comprises a raked wing tip having an outboard portion hinged to one of a main wing having at least one moveable control surface and an inboard raked wing tip portion. The outboard portion of the raked wing tip does not carry any moveable flight control surfaces.

Abstract: A jet engine support structure includes an inboard support fitting that is configured to be operatively attached to the jet engine, an outboard support fitting that is configured to be operatively attached to the jet engine, an inboard longeron that is configured to be attached to the inboard support fitting and an exterior underside surface of an aircraft wing, an outboard longeron that is configured to be attached to the outboard support fitting and the exterior underside surface of the wing, and a drag brace fitting that is configured to be attached to the inboard longeron and the outboard longeron and operatively attached to the jet engine. These component parts are employed in operatively attaching the jet engine to the aircraft wing. The same set of component parts is employed in operatively attaching the jet engine to either a left side or port side wing or to operatively attach a jet engine to a right side or starboard side wing.

Abstract: Aircraft wings, aircraft, and related methods. Aircraft wings include a spoiler constructed substantially of a monolithic structural body with an upper side that defines a portion of an airfoil surface of an aircraft wing. The monolithic structural body further includes a lower side, opposite the upper side, that includes a plurality of stiffening ribs that define a plurality of open voids. Methods of constructing a spoiler for an aircraft wing include forming a monolithic structural body of the spoiler.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of enhancing aerodynamic performance of an aircraft wing assembly including a fixed section and a foldable section. The foldable section is hinged to the fixed section at a hinge axis. The method includes turning a torque box extending from the foldable section to rotate the foldable section about the hinge axis from a stowed position to a deployed position.

Abstract: A wing assembly comprises a fixed section, a foldable section, and a hinge assembly for hinging the foldable section to the fixed section. The hinge assembly includes a plurality of interleaved torque boxes that are hinged together.