At Leading Edge Patents (Class 244/214)
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Patent number: 8596586Abstract: A high lift system is provided for an aircraft. The high lift system includes, but is not limited to a lift flap arranged on a wing and coupled to the wing so as to be movable relative to the wing, between a retracted position and at least one extended position. In the retracted position the lift flap rests against the wing, and in an extended position forms an air gap to the wing. The lift flap directed towards its trailing edge comprises at least one region of variable curvature, which region in an extended position of the lift flap extends towards the wing.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2012Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbHInventor: Karsten Schroeder
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Patent number: 8579236Abstract: An aircraft slat assembly comprising a pair of slats separated by a gap. A weather seal seals the gap between the slats and forms part of an outer aerodynamic surface of the slat assembly. An anti-icing system is provided with a pair of piccolo tubes, each tube being housed within a respective one of the slats and having spray holes for delivering hot gas to a leading edge of the slat in which it is housed. A flexible duct delivers hot gas between the piccolo tubes, the flexible duct passing across the gap between the slats. A vent in the weather seal can open to permit hot gas from the anti-icing system to exit the gap between the slats.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2012Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: Airbus Operations LimitedInventor: Timothy Wollaston
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Patent number: 8534610Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing a flight control surface system. A leading edge device is moved on a leading edge from an undeployed position to a deployed position. The leading edge device has an outer surface, an inner surface, and a deformable fairing attached to the leading edge device such that the deformable fairing covers at least a portion of the inner surface. The deformable fairing changes from a deformed shape to an original shape when the leading edge device is moved to the deployed position. The leading edge device is then moved from the deployed position to the undeployed position, wherein the deformable fairing changes from the original shape to the deformed shape.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2009Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Dale M. Pitt, Nicholas Stephen Eckstein
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Patent number: 8534611Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing a flight control surface system. A leading edge section on a wing of an aircraft is extended into a deployed position. A deformable section connects the leading edge section to a trailing section. The deformable section changes from a deformed shape to an original shape when the leading edge section is moved into the deployed position. The leading edge section on the wing is moved from the deployed position to an undeployed position. The deformable section changes to the deformed shape inside of the wing.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2009Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Dale M. Pitt, Nicholas Stephen Eckstein
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Publication number: 20130228655Abstract: An aerodynamic body, with at least one ancillary flap arranged such that it can be moved on the aerodynamic body with the aid of a guide mechanism, and with a drive device for purposes of actuating the ancillary flap, the guide mechanism having a pivotal articulation, by which the ancillary flap is articulated on the aerodynamic body such that it can be extended, and which is arranged in a rear region of the ancillary flap as viewed in the flow direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2013Publication date: September 5, 2013Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS (S.A.S.)Inventors: Samuel BURGUNDER, Bernard GUERING
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Patent number: 8517314Abstract: An actuator for use in driving the leading edge slats or other control surfaces of an aircraft includes a carrier element which is translatable and angularly moveable about a first fixed axis relative to an aircraft wing structure, an actuator arm pivotally mounted to the carrier element, and a support arm pivotally mounted to the wing structure about a second, fixed pivot axis, such that the first and second fixed axes are not perpendicular to one another.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2010Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: Goodrich Actuation Systems LimitedInventor: Jeremy Alan George Kracke
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Patent number: 8511619Abstract: An aircraft slat deployment mechanism including a first drive member coupled to a slat at a first pivot point and a second drive member coupled to the slat at a second pivot point offset from the first pivot point. A first rack is provided on the first drive member, and a first pinion is carried by the drive shaft. The first pinion is arranged to transmit mechanical power from the drive shaft to the first drive member via the first rack. A second rack is provided on the second drive member, and a second pinion is carried by the drive shaft. The second pinion has a different radius to the first pinion. The second pinion is arranged to transmit mechanical power from the drive shaft to the second drive member via the second rack, such that the first and second drive members move at a different speed.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2009Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: Airbus Operations LimitedInventor: Alan Mann
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Patent number: 8511608Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a movement of a control surface comprises a first linkage system, a second linkage system, and an actuator system. The first linkage system is connected to a first location of a control surface. The second linkage system is connected to a second location of the control surface. The first location is closer to a leading edge of the control surface than the second location. The actuator system is configured to move the first linkage system and the second linkage system.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2010Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Mark Steven Good, Alan Keith Prichard
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Patent number: 8511620Abstract: An aircraft wing load alleviation system incorporating a wing, a spoiler panel (14), a device (16, 17) which restricts circulation of air around a trailing edge of the spoiler and a control system. The spoiler panel is pivotally attached to the wing so that the spoiler panel can be rotated up from a lowered position to a raised position, thereby opening a void between the spoiler panel and the wing. The retractable device can be deployed from a retracted position to an extended position in which it restricts circulation of air around the trailing edge of the spoiler panel and into the void, thus reducing induced drag. The control system is configured to detect or predict an increase in the lift of the wing and rotate the spoiler panel to its raised position in response to a detected or predicted increase in the lift of the wing.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2010Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
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Publication number: 20130206917Abstract: A system and method to enable natural laminar flow over a fluid-dynamic body using a variable camber Krueger flap is disclosed. A sequence of flap positions is deployed where the variable camber Krueger flap is below and aft of the wing leading edge before reaching a configured takeoff and landing position. The variable camber Krueger flap is positioned in a high position relative to a wing leading edge when the variable camber Krueger flap is fully deployed.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2012Publication date: August 15, 2013Inventors: Seiya Sakurai, Stephen J. Fox, Victor Reyes, Kara Marie Charles
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Patent number: 8474762Abstract: An aircraft slat assembly comprises a slat, two tracks and two joints, each joint connecting a respective track to the slat. Each track is moveable on a wing structure between a fully extended position and a stowed position. Each joint is arranged to allow relative rotation between the slat and the respective track such that the slat is able to adopt a skewed position in which one track is in the fully extended position and the other track is in the stowed position.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2011Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Assignee: Airbus Operations LimitedInventor: Robert James Peirce
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Patent number: 8469316Abstract: A high-lift device suppresses the occurrence of aerodynamic noise while minimizing an increase in airframe weight. The device includes a slat main body disposed to be able to extend from and retract into a main wing, and a concave part formed on the slat main body at a location facing the main wing and able to accommodate at least a part of a leading edge of the main wing. The device also includes an airflow control part disposed at an area in the concave part facing an upper surface of the main wing, that is accommodated between the main wing and the concave part when the slat main body is refracted into the main wing, and that suppresses turbulence colliding against the area in the concave part facing the upper surface of the main wing when the slat main body is extended from the main wing.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2008Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Makoto Hirai, Ichiro Maeda
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Publication number: 20130153713Abstract: An aircraft wing assembly, comprising a wing having a fixed leading edge, a slat mounted for movement between a retracted position and an extended position with respect to the fixed leading edge, and a translating cable device for electrically connecting the slat to the wing and having a strut coupled at one end to the slat, the fixed leading edge having an aperture to accommodate the strut, and a seal assembly for sealing between the strut and the aperture.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2012Publication date: June 20, 2013Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITEDInventor: AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITED
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Publication number: 20130153712Abstract: An aircraft wing assembly, comprising a wing having a fixed leading edge, a slat mounted upon a slat deployment mechanism for moving the slat between a retracted position and an extended position with respect to the fixed leading edge, the fixed leading edge having an aperture to accommodate the slat deployment mechanism, and a closing plate mounted off the slat deployment mechanism for closing a gap between a lower trailing edge of the slat and a lower edge of the aperture when the slat is retracted. The closing plate can include a first portion and a second portion, and a hinge connecting the first and the second portions. The closing plate can include a plurality of integrally formed spacer elements for positioning the closing plate with respect to the slat deployment mechanism. Also, a method of removing an access panel in an aircraft wing assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2012Publication date: June 20, 2013Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITEDInventor: AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITED
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Patent number: 8444094Abstract: A high-lift system for an aircraft includes a main wing, a lift flap arranged on the main wing of the aircraft, which lift flap is adjustable, between a retracted position and several extended positions relative to the main wing of the aircraft, by means of a flap adjustment mechanism for coupling the lift flap to the main wing and by means of a drive device, wherein the flap adjustment mechanism comprises at least two adjustment devices arranged so as to be spaced apart from each other in the wingspan direction, with each adjustment device including a first lever and a second lever, where the first end piece of the second lever is pivotally and slidably held on the main wing, while the second end piece of said second lever is pivotally held on the lift flap.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2008Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbHInventors: Timo Voss, Joachim Loerke
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Patent number: 8424801Abstract: A support assembly for deployment and retraction of an aero surface from an aircraft is disclosed. The assembly comprises a guide track, a primary support arm having one end coupled to a carriage mounted on the track such that the primary support arm is rotatable relative to the carriage about multiple axes, and a control arm having one end coupled to the primary support arm and a second end pivotably attachable to a fixed support forming part of the structure of the aircraft. The assembly being configured such that, when the carriage is driven along the guide track, the control arm causes the primary support arm to pivot about said multiple axes to deploy and/or retract an aero surface pivotally attached to an opposite end of the primary support member along an arcuate path.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2011Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: Airbus Operations LimitedInventors: Eric Wildman, Simon John Parker, Anthony Bryant, Christian Folkard
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Patent number: 8424807Abstract: An aircraft wing assembly comprising: a spar; a fuel tank; a track container which is attached to the spar and extends into the fuel tank; a track which extends through the spar and into the track container; and a high-lift device, such as a slat or flap, carried by the track. The track container comprises a stiffening element encased in an elastomeric sheath. The track container is manufactured by placing a stiffening element and elastomeric material together in a mould; and compressing and heating them to cure and shape the elastomeric material.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2010Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: Airbus Operations LimitedInventors: David Alistair Sutton, Colin John West
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Patent number: 8424810Abstract: Concepts and technologies described herein provide for a low noise aircraft wing slat system. According to one aspect of the disclosure provided herein, a cove-filled wing slat is used in conjunction with a moveable panel rotatably attached to the wing slat to provide a high lift system. The moveable panel rotates upward against the rear surface of the slat during deployment of the slat, and rotates downward to bridge a gap width between the stowed slat and the lower wing surface, completing the continuous outer mold line shape of the wing, when the cove-filled slat is retracted to the stowed position.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2010Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Arvin Shmilovich, Yoram Yadlin
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Patent number: 8418966Abstract: An edge mo?hing arrangement for an airfoil having upper and lower control surfaces is provided with a rib element arranged to overlie the edge of the airfoil. The rib element has first and second rib portions arranged to communicate with respectively associated ones of the upper and lower control surfaces of the airfoil. A first compliant linkage element has first and second ends and is disposed between the first and second rib portions of the rib element, the first and second ends are each coupled to the interior of a respectively associated one of the first and second rib portions. There is additionally provided a driving link having first and second driving link ends, the first driving link end being coupled to the interior of a selectable one of the first and second rib portions.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2007Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignee: FlexSys, Inc.Inventors: Joel A. Hetrick, Sridhar Kota, Gregory F. Ervin
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Patent number: 8408499Abstract: The invention provides according to one aspect an aircraft, comprising a fuselage, an airfoil mounted to the fuselage and a flap for steering the aircraft. Furthermore, connecting means articularly connect the flap to the airfoil such that the flap is allowed to rotate around a rotation axis substantial parallel to the trailing or leading edge of the airfoil between a retracted position and an extended position and to translate in a direction substantially parallel to the rotation axis. A rod articularly connect the flap to the airfoil or to the fuselage, wherein the rod defines the translation of the flap in the direction parallel to the rotation axis. Hence, by way of one aspect of the invention, forces acting of the flap in a direction parallel to the rotation axis can be taken up by the rod.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2008Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbHInventor: Gerd Cerne
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Patent number: 8408500Abstract: An aircraft wing comprising a wing fixed central body, and a leading edge mobile slat (16) designed to be moved in rotation relative to the fixed central body along a circular trajectory inscribed on a sphere with center (C). According to the invention, the wing also comprises a cable carrier chain (30) comprising links (34) articulated to each other through articulation axes (44) that converge towards a single point, the chain being connected at its two ends to the fixed central body and to the mobile slat. Furthermore, the single point is the center (C) of the sphere, located on a rotation axis (42) of the leading edge mobile slat relative to the wing fixed body.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2008Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: Sonaca S.A.Inventors: Jean-Philippe Crepin, Xavier Godfroid, Olivier Souchon
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Publication number: 20130075536Abstract: A high lift system for an aircraft includes at least one lift flap arranged on a wing forming a gap between a leading edge of the wing and a trailing edge of the lift flap in an extended position of the lift flap, and at least one flap adjustment mechanism for moving the lift flap between a retracted and at least one extended position relative to the wing. The wing includes a depression with a leading depression edge for accommodating the lift flap in a retracted position, and arranged in such an area of the wing that a correspondingly formed trailing edge region of the lift flap includes a curvature, by which the gap between the leading edge of the wing and trailing edge of the lift flap is convergent. A convergent and improved gap increases the efficiency of a high lift system without any active or movable means.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2012Publication date: March 28, 2013Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBHInventor: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
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Patent number: 8393570Abstract: The invention relates to a device for moving a trailing edge flap of an aircraft wing, in which device the trailing edge flap comprises one or several flap segments, wherein a first flap segment is movably mounted on the wing and is connected to a first toothed movement element that is moved by means of a first pinion.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2008Date of Patent: March 12, 2013Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbHInventor: Rainer Gartelmann
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Patent number: 8387924Abstract: An actuation system for deploying and retracting a lift assisting device of a wing of an aircraft, is presented. The actuation system includes a track pivotally coupled to the lift assisting device, a shaft rotating in response to flight control signals to deploy or retract the lift assisting device, means for actuating the lift assisting device between a retracted position and a deployed position along an arcuate path, a plurality of track roller bearings and a plurality of side roller bearings. The roller bearings rotatably contact the track to guide the track along the arcuate path. The track roller bearings are comprised of an outer ring, a split inner ring and liners disposed between bearing surfaces of the outer and the inner rings. The split inner ring is configured for accommodating deflection and bending of a mounting pin coupling the track roller bearing in proximity to the track.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2011Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: Roller Bearing Company of America, Inc.Inventors: Frederick S. Gyuricsko, Jay Phoenix, Arthur Gay, Nirad Patel, Arnold Fredericksen
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Patent number: 8382044Abstract: A high-lift system on the wing of an aircraft and a method for its operation are described. High-lift flaps (2) which are arranged on the wing (1) are extended from a retracted position in order to increase the lift, and a slot (3) through which flow passes from the lower face to the upper face of the wing (1) is opened (advanced slat/flap-gap control). According to the invention, the slot (3) through which flow passes is opened independently of the position of the high-lift flap (2). This makes it possible to selectively achieve a better maximum coefficient of lift (CL) or a better lift-to-drag ratio with less noise being produced.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2007Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbHInventor: Torsten Holzhausen
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Patent number: 8371536Abstract: An assembly for an aircraft including a first structure mounted to a second structure, and a power transfer assembly electrically connecting the first and second structures. The first structure is movable relative to the second structure between a retracted and an extended position. The power transfer assembly includes a housing, a spool mounted for rotation relative to the housing and biased to rotate in a first direction, and an electrical cable adapted to be wound around the spool when the spool rotates, such that movement of the first structure from its retracted to its extended position causes the cable to be unwound from the spool by rotation of the spool in a second direction opposite the first. Also, a method of electrically connecting the first and second structures. The invention may be applied to an aircraft wing to electrically connect a leading edge slat to a fixed aerofoil portion.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2011Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Assignee: Airbus Operations LimitedInventor: Mochamad Agoes Soenarjo
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Patent number: 8366057Abstract: A method and apparatus for an adaptive aerostructure is presented that relies on certified aerospace materials and can therefore be applied in conventional passenger aircraft. This structure consists of a honeycomb material which cells extend over a significant length perpendicular to the plane of the cells. Each of the cells contains an inelastic pouch (or bladder) that forms a circular tube when the cell forms a perfect hexagon. By changing the cell differential pressure (CDP) the stiffness of the honeycomb can be altered. Using an external force or the elastic force within the honeycomb material, the honeycomb can be deformed such that the cells deviate from their perfect-hexagonal shape. It can be shown that by increasing the CDP, the structure eventually returns to a perfect hexagon. By doing so, a fully embedded pneumatic actuator is created that can perform work and substitute conventional low-bandwidth flight control actuators.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2010Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignee: University of KansasInventors: Roelof Vos, Ronald M. Barrett
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Patent number: 8353483Abstract: An aircraft wing comprises a leading-edge slat, the slat including a main body portion and a slat extension arranged at a spanwise end of the main body portion. The cross-sectional area of the slat extension is less than the cross-sectional area of the main body portion. The slat extension may therefore provide some of the aerodynamic benefits of the slat, while enabling the volume of the leading-edge of the wing on which the slat is mounted, to be relatively large. The chord and thickness to chord ratio of the slat extension may be less than the equivalent dimensions on the slat.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2007Date of Patent: January 15, 2013Assignee: Airbus Operations LimitedInventors: Daniel Dodd, Francois Cathelain
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Publication number: 20120312932Abstract: A wing of an aircraft provided with a main wing and an arrangement of leading edge lifting bodies, which as seen with reference to the incident flow direction are arranged on the leading edge, which are adjustably arranged on the main wing one behind another as seen in the spanwise direction of the main wing by means of respectively two positioning devices spaced apart from one another in the spanwise direction of the main wing. The wing has a connecting device, which is coupled to each of two adjacent leading edge lifting bodies, wherein the connecting device is configured such that in the event of a fracture of a positioning device of a positioning body external forces acting on the latter are transferred via the respective connecting device to the leading edge lifting bodies coupled up via the latter.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2012Publication date: December 13, 2012Applicant: Airbus Operations GmbHInventors: Xavier Hue, Bernhard Schlipf
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Publication number: 20120292454Abstract: A high lift system is provided for an aircraft. The high lift system includes, but is not limited to a lift flap arranged on a wing and coupled to the wing so as to be movable relative to the wing, between a retracted position and at least one extended position. In the retracted position the lift flap rests against the wing, and in an extended position forms an air gap to the wing. The lift flap directed towards its trailing edge comprises at least one region of variable curvature, which region in an extended position of the lift flap extends towards the wing.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2012Publication date: November 22, 2012Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBHInventor: Karsten SCHROEDER
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Patent number: 8292235Abstract: A method of operating an aircraft wing assembly, the assembly comprising a main wing element with a leading edge; a slat on the leading edge of the main wing element; and a seal member. The assembly is placed in a first configuration during take off in which the slat is in a deployed position with a slot between the slat and the main wing element, and the seal member is in a deployed position in which it seals the slot. During cruise both the slat and the seal member are retracted. During landing the slat is deployed fully with a slot between the slat and the main wing element, but the seal member is kept in its retracted position so that the slot remains open.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2009Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: Airbus Operations LimitedInventors: Timothy David Wollaston, James Michael Ribeiro
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Publication number: 20120261517Abstract: A multi-element airfoil system includes an airfoil element having a leading edge region and a skin element coupled to the airfoil element. A slat deployment system is coupled to the slat and the skin element, and is capable of deploying and retracting the slat and the skin element. The skin element substantially fills the lateral gap formed between the slat and the airfoil element when the slat is deployed. The system further includes an uncoupling device and a sensor to remove the skin element from the gap based on a critical angle-of-attack of the airfoil element. The system can alternatively comprise a trailing edge flap, where a skin element substantially fills the lateral gap between the flap and the trailing edge region of the airfoil element. In each case, the skin element fills a gap between the airfoil element and the deployed flap or slat to reduce airframe noise.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2012Publication date: October 18, 2012Applicant: U.S.A. as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Travis L. Turner, Mehdi R. Khorrami, David P. Lockard, Martin J. McKenney, Raymond D. Atherley, Reggie T. Kidd
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Patent number: 8286921Abstract: A high-lift system on a wing with a curved nose and a leading-edge flap mounted via levers for movement between retracted and extended positions while expanding the airfoil profile, increasing its curvature and exposing a gap for guiding air from under the flap to above the wing. The levers form a four bar mechanism including first and second levers respectively pivotably connected at one end to spaced first and second points on the wing. The other ends of the levers are connected to opposite ends of a third lever forming part of the flap. The length and positions of the levers and the curvature of the wing nose are matched such that during initial extension from retracted position to an intermediate position the trailing edge of the flap blocks the gap between the flap and wing, and during further extension beyond the intermediate position the gap is exposed.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2008Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbHInventor: Gerd Heller
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Publication number: 20120248257Abstract: An mechanism for kinematic guidance of a body during its adjustment on a supporting structure. The body is moved between a refracted position and an extended position while performing a movement in a longitudinal direction in combination with a rotary movement. The mechanism includes first and second transmission levers for coupling to the supporting structure, a base connection lever to which these levers are coupled, third and fourth transmission levers coupled to the base connection lever, an adjusting lever coupled to the third and fourth transmission levers for attachment of the adjustable body, to adjust the body by a movement of the adjusting lever, and a coupling lever coupled to the first or second transmission lever and to the third or fourth transmission lever. During a movement of the adjusting lever, the first and second transmission levers each move opposite to the third and fourth transmission levers.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2012Publication date: October 4, 2012Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBHInventors: Jochen EICHHORN, Tom DOSTMANN, Bernhard SCHLIPF
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Patent number: 8276852Abstract: Concepts and technologies described herein provide for a low noise aircraft wing slat system. According to one aspect of the disclosure provided herein, a cove-filled wing slat is used in conjunction with a moveable leading edge element of an aircraft wing to provide a high lift system. The moveable leading edge element may include a one-piece or two-piece panel that retracts within the aircraft wing to accommodate the cove-filled slat in the stowed position. Upon deployment of the cove-filled slat, the moveable leading edge element deploys outward to create a continuous outer mold line shape with the wing.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2010Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Arvin Shmilovich, Yoram Yadlin
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Publication number: 20120241564Abstract: A slat support assembly is disclosed. It comprises a slat support arm having a toothed rack (10), the slat support arm being movable to deploy a slat attached to one end of said slat support arm from a leading edge of an aircraft wing and, a pinion (11) having teeth that cooperate with the rack so that the slat moves in response to actuation of a rotary actuator coupled to the pinion. The cooperating teeth (13,14) are helical in shape.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2010Publication date: September 27, 2012Inventor: Simon John Parker
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Patent number: 8256719Abstract: A method and apparatus for an airfoil, a flexible skin, and a shape control system. The flexible skin forms a control surface of the airfoil. The shape control system is capable of changing a shape of the control surface formed by the flexible skin between a plurality of shapes, wherein a gap does not occur during a changing of the shape of the control surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2008Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Jeffrey H. Wood, James P. Dunne
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Patent number: 8245982Abstract: A wing, comprising a structure, an outer skin, and a leading edge device comprising a moveable body with a leading and a trailing edge and a support and actuation mechanism for attaching said moveable body to a structure of a wing and guiding a substantially circular motion of said moveable body, around a hinge line, between a retracted position and at least one deployed position. Said leading edge device further comprises at least one guiding device comprising a track and a follower with a roller. The track follows a substantially circular arc substantially centered on the hinge line. The roller is arranged to be guided by the track and hold down said moveable aerodynamic surface so as to substantially restrict lift-off of its trailing edge from the outer skin of the wing.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2008Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Asco IndustriesInventors: Alexandre Vormezeele, Christophe Cnop, Dietmar Bloemen, Eoin O'Beirne
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Patent number: 8231084Abstract: An aircraft wing comprising a leading element and a trailing element moveably coupled together, said elements being positionable relative to each other so that air can flow from the underside of the leading element over the top of the trailing element through a gap between the leading element and the trailing element, wherein a trailing edge of the leading element proximate to the trailing element is configured to disrupt air flow as it flows over said trailing edge and through the gap.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2009Date of Patent: July 31, 2012Assignee: Airbus Operations LimitedInventor: Philip Wright
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Publication number: 20120187253Abstract: A leading edge section of an aircraft wing comprises a main wing body portion, a droop nose high-lift device mounted adjacent to the fore region of the main wing body portion, and a door. The droop nose high-lift device is moveable between a stowed position and a first deployed position. When the droop nose high-lift device is in the first deployed position and the door is in an open position, an air flow region is exposed such that, during use, air flows through the air flow region from the lower surface to the wing upper surface of the wing. The door is also arranged to be moved during flight to control the amount of airflow through said air flow region.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2012Publication date: July 26, 2012Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITEDInventor: Daniel DODD
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Publication number: 20120187254Abstract: An aircraft slat assembly comprising a pair of slats separated by a gap. A weather seal seals the gap between the slats and forms part of an outer aerodynamic surface of the slat assembly. An anti-icing system is provided with a pair of piccolo tubes, each tube being housed within a respective one of the slats and having spray holes for delivering hot gas to a leading edge of the slat in which it is housed. A flexible duct delivers hot gas between the piccolo tubes, the flexible duct passing across the gap between the slats. A vent in the weather seal can open to permit hot gas from the anti-icing system to exit the gap between the slats.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2012Publication date: July 26, 2012Inventor: Timothy WOLLASTON
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Patent number: 8225731Abstract: A wingsail assembly comprises a main symmetrical aerofoil which is freely rotatable about an upright axis and a control vane which is settable about an upright axis spaced from the axis of the main aerofoil to cause the main aerofoil to adopt an angle of attack to the direction of the wind. A pivoted aerodynamic slot-forming vane assembly is rotatable in response to wind pressure to open and close respective slots, one on each side of the leading region of the main aerofoil. A linkage inhibits movement of the slot-forming vane assembly away from a neutral position when the control vane is set to a neutral position.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2007Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Inventor: John G Walker
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Patent number: 8226048Abstract: Link mechanisms, including Stephenson II link mechanisms for multi-position flaps and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A system in accordance with a particular embodiment includes an airfoil having an external flow surface with an upper portion and a lower portion, and with the airfoil forming a base link. The system further includes a six-bar linkage coupled to the airfoil and having a Stephenson II configuration, including a binary second link pivotably connected to the airfoil, a ternary third link pivotably connected to the second link, a binary fourth link pivotably connected to the third link, a ternary fifth link pivotably connected to the airfoil and the fourth link, and a binary sixth link pivotably connected to the third link and the fifth link. The system can further include a deployable leading edge panel carried by the linkage, with the leading edge panel being movable via the linkage between a stowed position and at least one deployed position.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2008Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Kevin W. Beyer, Seiya Sakurai
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Patent number: 8215590Abstract: An aerofoil is provided having an upper surface, a lower surface, a leading edge between the upper and lower surfaces at the front of the aerofoil, and a trailing edge between the upper and lower surfaces at the rear of the aerofoil. The leading edge has projection where it meets the lower surface of the aerofoil, and a cove between the projection and upper surface of the aerofoil. A flow vortex is formed in the cove which exhibits increasingly axial flow that retains flow attachment to higher angles of attack.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2008Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: Airbus Operations LimitedInventor: Norman Wood
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Publication number: 20120138751Abstract: An aircraft having a high lift system, including a control computer, high lift bodies on each wing, a drive coupled to these, an activation device connected to the drive via an analog connection, an input device, and sensors detecting a state of the high lift bodies connected via analog lines to the activation device. The input device connects via a digital connection to the activation device for transmitting commands for adjusting the high lift bodies. The activation device is installed in the payload area of the fuselage and in an area extending from a location spaced from the front of the wingbox by a distance of one third of the fuselage length extending from there to the aircraft's tip, as far as a location spaced from the rear of the wingbox by a distance of one third of the fuselage length extending from there to the aircraft's tail end.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2010Publication date: June 7, 2012Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBHInventors: Martin Richter, Peter Lücken
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Publication number: 20120138750Abstract: An aerofoil wing is provided, including a main aerofoil, and a high-lift flap, which is movably arranged on the wing using side-by-side adjustment mechanisms. Each adjustment mechanism includes a first adjustment lever, hinged to the main aerofoil via a first rotary linkage, forming a first rotation axis; a second adjustment lever, hinged to the high-lift flap via a second rotary linkage, forming a second rotation axis; and a central linkage, linking together the first and the second adjustment levers, forming a third rotation axis. The first, second and third rotation axes pass through a common pole. The wing has a drive device with a drive module mounted on the main aerofoil, and movable with respect to the drive module a drive lever, which is coupled to the high-lift flap. The wing has a stop device to limit the maximum extended setting of the high-lift flap.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2010Publication date: June 7, 2012Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBHInventors: Bernhard Schlipf, Markus Gibbert, Daniel Schulze, Timo Danne
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Patent number: 8191835Abstract: A wing of an aircraft has a mainplane, which has an upper face, a lower face and an aerodynamically shaped area. The wing has an additional airfoil which is articulated on the mainplane and can be extended from a retracted state with a slot area being opened between the mainplane and the additional airfoil. The wing also has a variable-position slot-varying apparatus which is arranged on the lower face, forms a part of the aerodynamic profile of the additional airfoil or mainplane when the additional airfoil is extended, and at least partially covers the slot area between the mainplane and the additional airfoil on the lower face when the additional airfoil is in the retracted state. The slot-varying apparatus can be varied between a curved configuration, in which it forms a part of an aerodynamic profile, and an extended configuration, in which it at least partially covers the slot area.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2007Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbHInventors: Boris Grohmann, Johann Reichenberger, Thomas Lorkowski
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Patent number: 8186630Abstract: A leading edge structure is disclosed for an aircraft wing in which a droop nose is articulated by a double hinge.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2008Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: Airbus Operations LimitedInventor: Philip Robert Jaggard
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Patent number: 8181913Abstract: An aircraft wing high lift assembly comprising a movable element and a load receiving element including a body portion having a first load receiving region arranged to receive loads from the movable element in a first direction during normal operation of the high lift assembly and including at least one restraining arm projecting from the body portion, the or each restraining arm having a second load receiving region arranged to receive loads from the movable element in a second direction in the event of a failure within the high lift assembly.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2008Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: Airbus Operations LimitedInventors: Philip R. Jaggard, Robert H. West
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Publication number: 20120104180Abstract: A Krueger, or leading edge flap, deployable from a lower aerodynamic surface of an aircraft main wing element so as to form a slot between the Krueger and the main wing element when deployed, the deployed Krueger having a leading edge, a trailing edge and upper and lower aerodynamic surfaces extending between the leading edge and the trailing edge, and a flow deflector which provides an effectively divergent flap profile thickness in the downstream direction at or adjacent the Krueger trailing edge so as to direct airflow away from the lower aerodynamic surface of the deployed Krueger towards an upper aerodynamic surface of the main wing element. Also, aircraft wing assembly including a main wing element and the Krueger.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2011Publication date: May 3, 2012Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITEDInventors: James BROWN, Edmund KAY