Abstract: An active flaperon assembly for a wing includes a sheet of flexible material deployed near an intersection between a primary lift surface of a wing and the surface of a flap. The sheet is mechanically linked to the flap such that it is withdrawn from and extended into the air flow over the wing, the extent of projection varying as a function of the downward deflection of the flap. An actuator generates mechanical oscillations in the sheet.

Abstract: An airplane high lift surface drive system having a first actuator connected to a first high lift surface and a second actuator connected to a second high lift surface, wherein the first actuator is electrically connected to the second actuator in series.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an aerodynamic control surface apparatus for use with a wing assembly having a wing trailing edge. The control surface apparatus has an inboard section defined by a cordwise inboard side, a first trailing edge side, and a first tapering edge side disposed between the inboard and the fist trailing edge sides. The inboard section has an axis of rotation generally about the cordwise inboard side. The control surface apparatus further has an outboard section defined by a cordwise outboard side, a second trailing edge side, and a second tapering edge side disposed between the outboard and the second trailing edge sides. The outboard section has an axis of rotation generally about the cordwise outboard side. The control surface apparatus further has at least one adjustable spanwise member rotatably attached to the first and second tapering edge sides of the inboard and outboard sections.

Abstract: A lift body has a variable camber to achieve a flow-favorable profile. The lift body has a structure which is elastically deformable at least in one area. An integrated adjusting device includes at least one dimensionally stable adjusting body which can be rotated about an axis and which is in an operative connection with the deformable structure. Each adjusting body has a curved conical shape whose local cross-section corresponds to the local profile thickness. Each adjusting body is in a direct and/or, via a sliding layer, an indirect contact with the deformable structure.

Abstract: A flight control surface actuation system is provided in which a plurality of actuators (6-13) are connected to one another in order to synchronize their operation. Each actuator has its own gearbox such that the torque transmitted in the synchronizing element is kept low.

Abstract: A lifting airfoil (10) includes a landing flap (20) movably connected to a main airfoil body (10') so as to form at least a portion of the trailing edge of the airfoil. The landing flap (20) includes a leading edge nose (21) and a trailing edge body (22), which are each bounded by an upper cover skin (23) and a lower cover skin (24). The trailing edge body (22) is connected to the leading edge (21) by the continuous upper cover skin (23), while a gap (25) interrupts the lower cover skin (24) between the leading edge nose (21) and the trailing edge body (22). The flap (20) is mounted on a carriage (31) that moves along a guide rail (30) so as to be slidably and pivotably extendable during take-off and landing phases of a flight.

Abstract: A slotted cruise trailing edge flap (16) having a single-slotted configuration during cruise, and a double-slotted configuration during takeoff and landing is disclosed. The slotted cruise trailing edge flap (16) includes a flap assembly (18) positioned along the trailing edge of an aircraft wing (30). The flap assembly (18) includes a vane element (22) and a main element (24) mounted in a fixed relation to one another that defines a slot (25) therebetween. The slotted cruise trailing edge flap also includes an extension assembly (20) that includes a support structure (23) from which the flap assembly (18) is translatably connected via a track (44) and carriage (46) arrangement. The flap assembly (18) is rotatably connected to the support structure (23) using a cam follower (52) and cam slot (50). An actuation mechanism (28) including a rotary actuator (56) moves the flap assembly (18) relative to the support structure (23).

Abstract: A split rudder control system for an aircraft which reduces the net opening hinge moments opposing return of the split rudders to the fully closed position from small deflection angles. The split rudder control system provides a smoothly faired aerodynamic protuberance on the upper surfaces of the split rudder control members adjacent to the trailing edge of the wing when the control members are in the closed position and at small deflection angles relative to the closed position. The aerodynamic protuberance smoothly deflects the airstream flow over the upper surface of the wing as it approaches the trailing edge, increasing the local velocity of the airstream at a point forward of the trailing edge. The aerodynamic feature is contoured such that a maximum local airstream velocity occurs generally at the interfacing edges of the control members.

Abstract: A blade of the rotor is attached to a main rotor shaft, and is rotated counterclockwise at a high speed when viewed from above. In the vicinity of the blade tip, a flap having a wing shape in section is pivotally supported with a hinge so as to be angularly displaceable and at the end a part of the rear end of the blade is cut out. A hinge line which indicates the center of the angular displacement of the hinge is formed so as to be parallel to a straight line passing through the rotation center of the rotor and the center of gravity of the flap. A helicopter rotor equipped with flaps is provided in which the influence of the centrifugal force acting on the center of gravity of a blade can be largely reduced, and a flap control mechanism can be reduced in size and weight.

Abstract: Methods for using tip generated vortices to improve performance of foils. These methods include generating a substantially streamwise beneficial vortex (74) near the outboard end (60) of a foil (82). This beneficial vortex (74) spins in the opposite direction of an induced drag vortex (62), and is used to create an upwash field (76) which neutralizes induced drag by deflecting the flow behind the trailing edge (56) at an upward angle. Upwash field (76) causes the lift vector (118) on the foil (82) to tilt forward, thereby creating a forward directed force of induced thrust upon the foil (82). Beneficial vortex (74) is also used to contain and compress the high pressure field existing along the attacking surface of the foil (82), and displace the induced drag vortex (62) inboard from the tip of the foil (82). Numerous performance parameters are improved dramatically by using beneficial vortex (74), as well as by using a double vortex pattern (124).

Abstract: In order to reduce the force to be applied to the control member of a control surface (10) articulated to a support structure (12) by hinges located in notches or slots (28) formed in the leading edge (16) of the control surface, a protection device is associated with the said hinge. This device has a cover plate (32) fixed to each outer face of the support structure (12), as well as a fairing member (42) fixed to the control surface (10), so as to surround the hinge. The cover plate (32) has grooves (40) which will break in the case of locking. The breaking of the grooves is applicable to any craft moving in a fluid and having control surfaces and more particularly to aircraft.

Abstract: A fixed seal plate for an aircraft functions to seal the gap between a movable flight control surface and its associated airfoil when the control surface is in a deflected position. The seal plate is fixed to the airfoil (typically a wing) so that it does not articulate with the airfoil movable surface, therefore having no moving parts, yet blocks airflow through the gap effectively enough to measurably improve aircraft flight performance by reducing aerodynamic drag.

Abstract: A new hinge fairing design for control surfaces such as ailerons, elevators, and rudders. By staggering the two curved hinge fairings, one mounted to the fixed airfoil and the other to the leading edge of the control surface, a curving load path is opened up that allows installation of hinge fittings and actuators without having to make cut-outs in the curved fairings. This principle makes it possible to keep the control surface faired and sealed over its entire span and during its entire motion range. This improves the effectiveness of the control surface. The principle of the present invention is applicable to trailing edge control surfaces of subsonic and supersonic airplanes and is of particular benefit for hinged leading edge flaps on a supersonic commercial transport.

Abstract: Improvements in airfoils, such as conventional airfoils, are disclosed including modifications to the final flap element of the airfoil. Disclosed are surface contour modifications, including, in some instances, extensions of the chord of the final flap element, adding camber to the final flap element to enhance the performance of the airfoil by reducing its drag per lift, and providing greater lift for a given angle of attack.

Abstract: A concealable flap actuated vortex generator for generating a vortex on a lifting surface assembly, and an improved aircraft flight lifting surface having such concealable flap actuated vortex generators. When the flap of the lifting surface assembly is in the nominal (non-extended or non-deflected) position, the vortex generator is unexposed. When the flap is actuated by a flap actuator, the flap is extended or deflected from the nominal position, thereby projecting or exposing the vortex generator into an operational position and enabling the generation of a vortex.

Abstract: A wing flap assembly having a contoured upper forward surface portion of the flap being arranged to reduce adverse effects of a wake producing device, such as a landing gear or a flap track faring, positioned upstream of the slot, when the flap is in its highlift slotted position. The contoured area has a moderately greater slot gap width, and relatively sharper curvature at a nose end of the contoured flap surface portion to produce a desired pressure distribution where recovery begins at a further upstream location on the flap.

Abstract: An improvement in the lift and drag characteristics of a lifting surface is achieved by attaching a serrated panel to the trailing edge of the lifting surface. The serrations may have a saw-tooth configuration, with a 60.degree. included angle between adjacent serrations. The serrations may vary in shape and size over the span-wise length of the lifting surface, and may be positioned at fixed or adjustable deflections relative to the chord of the lifting surface.

Abstract: A trailing edge flap assembly for an aircraft wing includes at its rearward end upper and lower surfaces terminating in a trailing edge portion. The assembly has a flap (15) is located in a stowed position during normal flight. A mounting beam (18) is located to the lower surface (12) of the wing, extending rearwardly thereof and below the flap (15). A carriage (23) is in rolling engagement with longitudinal guideways (53) on the mounting beam (18). To actuate the flap (15), at or about the rearward extremity of the mounting beam (18), there is provided an actuator mounting bracket (21), a rotary actuator (52), and lever arms (27, 28) assocaited with the actuator about a common substantially transverse axis of rotation. The lever arms (27, 28) extend upwardly and terminate adjacent the undersurface of the flap (15), in a pivotal attachment (22) forwardly extending actuator links (25, 26) pivotally interconnecting the lever arms (27, 28) and the carriage (23).

Abstract: An airfoil having a trailing edge flap assembly comprising a flap member having a pair of tracks mounted thereto at spanwise spaced locations. Each track member is operatively connected to a slide member which is in turn mounted to a stationary structure. The flap member is attached to the two track members by means of pivotal links and ball joint connections to alleviate problems relating to wing deflection and also differences in linear movement of the flap member due to conical movement from the stowed to the deployed positions. Other embodiments show specific features relating to the actuating means, the track location, and the slide member location.

Abstract: In a circulation control airfoil, the improvement comprises of a seprate and rounded compressed air supply duct, with a slot and ejector from which high velocity air can issue tangentially to its surface. The duct is supported by a hollow actuator arm which provides the blowing air as well as the torque required to retract or extend the rounded trailing edge of the wing and one or more hinged support brackets. The position of the hinge points being such that when the air supply duct is swung in the aft position then it joins the sharp trailing edge of the airfoil or its flap, and converts the airfoil to a STOL (Short Take Off and Landing) circulation control configuration with a rounded trailing edge. By exerting torque on the bell crank, the air supply duct can be swung forward, without much drag and be retracted in a cavity provided for it at the underside of the airfoil. With the rounded trailing edge recessed, the airfoil assumes to a conventional, low drag configuration for high speed cruise.

Abstract: A laminar flow control aircraft wing combines suction surfaces and slots in its leading and trailing edge regions, with natural laminar flow over its main box region to achieve laminar boundary layer flow over a majority of the wing surface area. The wing includes a leading edge flap that is used to protect the leading edge region of the wing from insect accumulation and surface erosion caused by the impact of dirt, rain, or other airborne materials when the leading edge flap is deployed in a low-speed position. At high aircraft speeds, the leading edge flap is stored in the surface of the leading edge region of the wing and forms part of the suction system for that area of the wing. The wing also includes a flexible trailing edge suction surface spoiler system that allows the spoilers to bend downwardly when the trailing edge flap is deployed into a low-speed position.

Abstract: In an aircraft having a pair of engines mounted forwardly of the wing and discharging jet exhaust over the wing for augmented lift, a trailing edge flap is positioned directly behind each of the engines. Each flap has a stowed position for the cruise mode, a rearwardly and downwardly extending position for maximum deflection of the jet exhaust downwardly for STOL operation, and various intermediate positions. The upper aerodynamic surface of each flap is curved in a manner that the radius of curvature increases along the chord length of the flap from the forward knee of the flap to the trailing edge of the flap. Each flap is moved from its stowed position, through intermediate positions to its fully deployed position in a manner that the upper aerodynamic surface of each flap forms a smooth and continuous extension of the fixed rear portion of the upper aerodynamic surface of the wing.

Abstract: In an aircraft having a pair of engines mounted forwardly of the wing and discharging jet exhaust over the wing for augmented lift, a trailing edge flap is positioned directly behind each of the engines. Each flap has a stowed position for the cruise mode, a rearwardly and downwardly extending position for maximum deflection of the jet exhaust downwardly for STOL operation, and various intermediate positions. The upper aerodynamic surface of each flap is curved in a manner that the radius of curvature increases along the chord length of the flap from the forward knee of the flap to the trailing edge of the flap. Each flap is moved from its stowed position, through intermediate positions to its fully deployed position in a manner that the upper aerodynamic surface of each flap forms a smooth and continuous extension of the fixed rear portion of the upper aerodynamic surface of the wing.

Abstract: Variable camber actuator assemblies 50 broaden the range of speeds at which lift to drag performance is maximized for slotted flap wings. Lift is improved over a broader range of cruising speeds by varying wing camber with rotational flap movements that do not introduce wing slots and induced drag. Forward flaps 40 are secured to forward flange links 26 which extend from, and are a part of, forward flap linkage assemblies 20. The forward flaps 40 rotate about flap pivots 39 with their rotational displacement controlled by variable camber actuator assemblies 50 located between the forward flaps and the forward flange links. Rear flaps 45 are held relative to the forward flaps 40 by rear flap linkage assemblies 70 which may act independently from the forward flap linkage assemblies and the variable camber actuator assemblies. Wing camber is varied by rotating the flaps with the variable camber actuator assemblies while the flaps are in a deployed or tucked position.

Abstract: An airfoil having a trailing edge flap assembly comprising a flap member having a track mounted thereto. The track member is operatively connected to a slide-block which is in turn mounted to stationary structure. High Fowler motion is accomplished with this arrangement. In another embodiment the flap is additionally provided with a foreflap. In further embodiments, the flap assembly is provided additionally with aft flaps.

Abstract: In an aircraft having a pair of engines mounted forwardly of the wing and discharging jet exhaust over the wing for augmented lift, a trailing edge flap is positioned directly behind each of the engines. Each flap has a stowed position for the cruise mode, a rearwardly and downwardly extending position for maximum deflection of the jet exhaust downwardly for STOL operation, and various intermediate positions. The upper aerodynamic surface of each flap is curved in a manner that the radius of curvature is a constant and uniform minimum at a forward portion of the flap and substantially greater at a rear portion of the flap. Each flap is moved from its stowed position, through intermediate positions to its fully deployed position in a manner that the upper aerodynamic surface of each flap forms a smooth and continuous extension of the fixed rear portion of the upper aerodynamic surface of the wing.

Abstract: An aircraft wing and flap arrangement comprises a fixed wing (1) a flap (2) pivoted at (3) to the fixed wing and a variable camber upper surface member (6) anchored to the fixed wing and resiliently biased toward the flap at all times; a cam track (9) secured to upper surface member (6) and associated cam track engaging member (10) on an arm (11) secured to the flap to control movement of the upper surface member so that on relatively small deflections of the flap (2) the upper surface of the wing is substantially continuous, while on relatively large downward deflections the upper surface is urged, by cam track engaging member (10), away from the flap (2) to open a slot (12); the arrangement may include a lower surface member (14) which is urged towards the upper surface membr (6) on relatively large downward deflections of the flap (2).

Abstract: Apparatus to compensate for airflow blockage and attendant airflow separation, loss of lift, and flap buffeting caused by the support members connecting a flap to the stationary portion of the wing is disclosed. An airflow duct, located between the lower and upper surfaces of the flap, is dimensioned and positioned such that when the flap is extended, air flowing through the airflow duct is discharged over the blocked portion of the upper flap surface. A recessed airflow channel, formed in the upper surface of the flap to direct additional airflow over the blocked region, is included for use in situations in which the flap structure precludes an airflow duct of sufficient size to fully compensate for the airflow blockage. Duct closure doors are included to seal the airflow duct inlet opening when the flaps are retracted to thereby reduce drag during operation of the aircraft in the cruise regime.

Abstract: Aircraft flaps provide rearwardly convergent channels which terminate at or near the trailing edges of the flaps. The forward intakes of the channels are closed when the flaps are elevated and open when the flaps are depressed. A control is programmed to operate the flaps so as to maintain minimum drag until sufficient ground speed is attained for take-off, and to limit the velocity of air discharged from the channels to sub-sonic speeds.

Abstract: An airfoil having a trailing edge flap assembly comprising a flap member having a track mounted thereto. The track member is operatively connected to a slide-block which is in turn mounted to stationary structure. High Fowler motion is accomplished with this arrangement. In another embodiment the flap is additionally provided with a foreflap. In further embodiments, the flap assembly is provided additionally with aft flaps.