Variable Gap Type, E.g., "fowler Flap" Patents (Class 244/216)
  • Patent number: 11952106
    Abstract: An aerial vehicle control surface actuation system comprises a rotary actuator having opposing output shaft ends that are coupled to first and second torque tubes via actuator universal joints. The first and second torque tubes extend angularly from the rotary actuator. The system further comprises first and second pivot joints that are coupled to a hinged end of a control surface. The first and second pivot joints are coupled to the first and second torque tubes, respectively, via control surface universal joints. In this configuration, rotation of the first and second torque tubes causes rotation of the control surface relative to a hinge axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Joli K. Umetsu, Kevin Tsai
  • Patent number: 11780554
    Abstract: Deployment system for adjusting a leading edge high-lift device, in particular a slat, between a retracted position, in which, in use, the high-lift device is retracted with respect to an airfoil, and at least one deployed position, in which, in use, the high-lift device is deployed with respect to the airfoil, comprising at least one actuation unit that is configured to actuate the high-lift device between the retracted position and the at least one deployed position, at least one guidance unit that is configured to guide the high-lift device during adjustment between the retracted position and the at least one deployed position along an adjustment path, wherein the guidance unit is independent from the actuation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Asco Industries NV
    Inventors: Bob Armand Henri Everaert, Antoon Marcel Vervliet, Geert Roger Greet van Kemenade
  • Patent number: 11780559
    Abstract: An aerodynamic device includes a main aerodynamic body having a leading edge and a trailing edge, a flight control surface coupled to the main aerodynamic body near the trailing edge of the main aerodynamic body, and a translating body coupled to the flight control surface. The translating body is moveable relative to the flight control surface between a sealed position and a retracted position to define a gap. The translating body is extended toward the main aerodynamic body while in the sealed position to close the gap. The translating body is retracted away from the main aerodynamic body while in the retracted position to widen the gap. The gap adjusts an airflow flowing between the main aerodynamic body and the flight control surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Andrew J. Hubbard, Richard C. Potter
  • Patent number: 11691356
    Abstract: An intensifier mechanism for forming stacked material includes a support, a first body coupled to the support, and a second body having a main portion, a pivoting portion, and a joint. The main portion is coupled to the support and the joint movably couples the main portion to the pivoting portion. The joint allows the pivoting portion to pivot in relation to the main portion when the membrane moves towards the bottom wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Chrishauna Nicole McCullough, Nolan Leander Cousineau, Simeon Paul Copple, Patrick Wayne Hollingsworth
  • Patent number: 11643185
    Abstract: A system to arrest flap over-travel employs a track engaging a flap to a support structure. The track has a deployment profile determining flap motion relative to the support structure during travel between an extended position and a normal retracted position. The deployment profile has a transition portion extending beyond the normal retracted position and terminating in a detent. A resiliently mounted catcher is configured to be displaced by the transition portion during over-travel of the flap beyond the normal retracted position and captured in the detent in a maximum retracted position thereby restraining the flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Kevin R. Tsai, Bryan J. Gruner
  • Patent number: 11591072
    Abstract: Linkage assemblies for moving tabs on control surfaces of aircraft are disclosed herein. An example aircraft includes a wing including a fixed wing portion and a trailing edge control surface. The trailing edge control surface includes a fore panel rotatably coupled to the fixed wing portion and an aft panel rotatably coupled to the fore panel. The wing also includes a linkage assembly including a rocking lever rotatably coupled to a bottom side of the fore panel, a trailing edge link having a first end rotatably coupled to the fixed wing portion and a second end rotatably coupled to the rocking lever, and an aft panel link having a first end rotatably coupled to the rocking lever and a second end rotatably coupled to a bottom side of the aft panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Ross Michael Westermeier, Kevin Tsai
  • Patent number: 11585294
    Abstract: A nacelle assembly of a gas turbine engine includes an annular structure defining a central axis, and having a radially inward surface and a radially outward surface, the radially inward surface at least partially defining a bypass duct. An aft portion of the radially inward surface at least partially defines an axially extending convergent-divergent exit nozzle. A secondary nozzle flap is radially spaced from the aft portion of the radially inward surface. The secondary nozzle flap and the aft portion of the radially inward surface define a secondary bypass duct therebetween. The secondary nozzle flap is operably connected to the annular structure such that the secondary nozzle flap is selectably movable relative to the aft portion of the radially inward surface, thereby changing a cross-sectional area of a secondary bypass duct exit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dmitriy B. Sidelkovskiy, Steven H. Zysman, Nathan L. Messersmith
  • Patent number: 11565792
    Abstract: Systems and methods for deploying adjacent trailing edge flaps that are part of different flap assemblies of different stiffnesses are disclosed. An exemplary method comprises: deploying a first flap of a first flap assembly having a first stiffness by a first deployment amount and deploying a second flap adjacent the first flap by a second deployment amount where the deployment amount of the first flap part of the flap assembly of lower stiffness is greater than the second deployment amount of the second flap part of the flap assembly of higher stiffness. The difference in deployment amounts may be adapted to improve continuity between the first flap and the second flap when the first and second flaps are deployed and subjected to an aerodynamic load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: BOMBARDIER INC.
    Inventors: Iyad Akel, Dmitry Budnitsky, Howard Ian Smith, Thomas Hanson
  • Patent number: 11554849
    Abstract: The invention relates to an aircraft having a tailless fuselage. The fuselage has a body which includes a transverse trailing edge. The aircraft further includes a wing having two sides which protrude from opposite sides of the fuselage. The body typically has a fineness ratio of between 3 and 7. Each side of the wing has an inner section having a first dihedral angle and an outer section having a second dihedral angle, the second dihedral angle being less than the first dihedral angle. At least part of the outer section is typically swept back. The configuration of the aircraft provides it with improved flight efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: University of Pretoria
    Inventor: Reinhard Joachim Huyssen
  • Patent number: 11535361
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for an extruded wing protection and control surface comprising: a channel proximate a leading edge of the control surface, a knuckle disposed about the channel, a leading void, a trailing void, and a separator dividing the leading void and the trailing void; and a plurality of notches disposed in the extruded control surface proximate the leading edge of the control surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: AEROVIRONMENT, INC.
    Inventors: Pavel Belik, John Peter Zwaan
  • Patent number: 11518496
    Abstract: Flap actuation systems for aircraft are described herein. An example flap actuation system includes a fixed beam coupled to and extending downward from a fixed wing portion of an aircraft wing and a rocking lever plate pivotably coupled to the fixed beam. The rocking lever plate is coupled to a forward end of a flap bracket disposed on a bottom side of a flap of the wing. The flap actuation system also includes a crank arm, a crank rod coupled between the crank arm and the rocking lever plate, and a flap link coupled between the rocking lever plate and an aft end of the flap bracket, such that actuation of the crank arm pivots the rocking lever plate to move the flap between a stowed position and a deployed position relative to the fixed wing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Bruce Dahl, Kevin Tsai
  • Patent number: 11505304
    Abstract: Example aircraft spoiler actuation systems and related methods are disclosed herein. An example spoiler actuation system includes a rotary actuator, a first output shaft coupled to the rotary actuator, a second output shaft coupled to the rotary actuator, the first output shaft opposite the second output shaft, a first actuator rod coupled to the spoiler at a first location, and a second actuator rod coupled to the spoiler at a second location, the second location spaced apart from the first location. The rotary actuator is operatively coupled to the first actuator rod via the first output shaft and to the second actuator rod via the second output shaft to cause the spoiler to move between one of a stowed position and a raised position or the stowed position and a drooped position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Kevin Tsai, Donald Drew Reinhart
  • Patent number: 11447234
    Abstract: A flight control surface with an actuator with an aerodynamic fairing for a swept aircraft wing. The swept aircraft wing includes a movable flight control surface with a hinge line non-perpendicular to the line of flight of the aircraft, and an actuator arm configured to actuate the flight control surface. The actuator arm includes a longitudinal axis substantially aligned with the line of flight, the actuator arm extending at least partially from an outer surface of the aircraft wing, and a fairing arranged on the outer surface of the aircraft wing to at least partially cover the actuator arm. Aligning the actuator arm with the line of flight of the aircraft may allow for an improved fairing to be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Airbus Operations Limited
    Inventors: Daren Healy, Laurence Queeney
  • Patent number: 11447233
    Abstract: A flap support structure incorporates an auxiliary flap support attachment fitting and an auxiliary flap support track. A primary load pin couples the auxiliary support track to the auxiliary flap support attachment fitting and reacts operating loads on the flap. At least one fuse pin extends through the primary load pin to limit translation of the primary load pin relative to the attachment fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Bryan J. Gruner, John Thomas B. Homrich
  • Patent number: 11352122
    Abstract: A wing system (2) for an aircraft includes a movable flow body (6) and a cover panel (8), wherein the flow body (6) and the cover panel (8) both are movably supported on a main wing body (4). While the flow body (6) is actively driven into upwards or downwards deflected positions, the cover panel (8) is coupled with the flow body (6) to follow its motion. The cover panel covers a part of the flow body (6) and the main wing body (4) in order to provide a substantially continuous, closed outer contour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Gibbert, Florian Lorenz
  • Patent number: 11312474
    Abstract: A flap actuation system employed in an aircraft wing with a flap having an internal structure employs a drive link pivotally attached at a top end with a drive axle to a forward lug on the internal structure and pivotally attached at a bottom end with a first pivot axle to a flap support element. An actuator is operably coupled to the drive link intermediate the top end and bottom end. A trailing link is pivotally attached at a leading end with a second pivot axle to the flap support element and pivotally attached at a trailing end with a reaction axle to an aft fitting on the internal structure. A catcher link is pivotally attached at a bottom end to the flap support element and at a top end to an intermediate fitting engaged to the internal structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Kevin R. Tsai, Miranda Peterson
  • Patent number: 11292582
    Abstract: Trailing edge assemblies, couplers and methods for deploying a trailing edge flap of an aircraft wing are disclosed. An exemplary method disclosed herein comprises guiding an aft portion of the trailing edge flap (28) along an elongated track member (36C) as the trailing edge flap (28) moves toward the deployed position; guiding a forward portion of the trailing edge flap (28) along the elongated track member (36C) as the trailing edge flap (28) moves toward the deployed position; and accommodating transverse movement of the forward portion of the trailing edge flap (28) relative to the elongated track member (36C).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: BOMBARDIER INC.
    Inventors: Dmitry Budnitsky, Howard Ian Smith, Thomas Hanson
  • Patent number: 11260972
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a foldable unmanned aerial vehicle having a multi-layer laminate structure and extendible arms are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents on Behalf of Arizona State University
    Inventors: Wenlong Zhang, Dangli Yang, Daniel Aukes
  • Patent number: 11260960
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system for actuating a flap coupled to a wing of an aircraft in a streamwise direction. The system comprises a geared rotary actuator comprising a drive gear that is rotatable about a first rotational axis. The system also comprises a crank shaft comprising a driven gear in gear meshing engagement with the drive gear of the geared rotary actuator to rotate the crank shaft about a second rotational axis. The second rotational axis is angled relative to the first rotational axis. The system further comprises a crank arm co-rotatably coupled to the crank shaft and configured to be coupled to the flap. Rotation of the crank shaft about the second rotational axis rotates the crank arm in a direction perpendicular to the second rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Bryan J. Gruner, Kevin Tsai
  • Patent number: 11225319
    Abstract: A wing stall compensation mechanism employs an upper door having forward upper hinge end pivotally coupled to an upper wing structure for rotation about an upper axis and a free aft upper end. A lower door has a free aft lower end and a forward lower hinge end pivotally coupled to a lower wing structure for rotation about a lower axis and a 2-bar coupler linkage is disposed between and pivotally coupled to the upper door and lower door. Downward rotation of the upper door in response to wing surface airflow separation causes contraction of the coupler linkage inducing upward rotation of the lower door from a closed position that inhibits airflow through a flap slot to an open position that enables airflow through the flap slot, to thereby restore wing surface airflow effectiveness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Miranda Peterson, Kevin R. Tsai
  • Patent number: 11214354
    Abstract: A control surface actuation mechanism for moving a control surface relative to a fixed aerofoil portion of an aircraft is disclosed including an articulating support, a sliding member on the articulating support and coupled to the control surface, the sliding member arranged to slide relative to the articulating support, a track with a path for attachment on the fixed aerofoil portion, and a rigid connecting element connected to the first track and to the sliding member. The first end of the first rigid connecting element is configured to move passively along the path, as the sliding member is driven to slide relative to the articulating support by an actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: AIRBUS SAS
    Inventors: Jason Kuruvilla, Pradeep Gajakosh, Akshay Srinivasamurthy, Rakshith Raghavan Belur, Sumit Kumar Malik, Gayathri Swaminathan, Vinayak Ramachandra Patil, Avinash Kumar Yadav
  • Patent number: 11208195
    Abstract: A system to arrest flap over-travel employs a track extending from a flap and engaging an auxiliary support. The track has a deployment profile determining flap motion relative to the support structure during travel between an extended position and a normal retracted position. The deployment profile has a transition portion extending beyond the normal retracted position and terminating in a detent. A resiliently mounted catcher is configured to be displaced by the transition portion during over-travel of the flap beyond the normal retracted position and captured in the detent in a maximum retracted position thereby restraining the flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Kevin R. Tsai, Bryan J. Gruner
  • Patent number: 11192627
    Abstract: An aircraft wing includes a groove extending along a length between a forward extremity and an aft extremity. A forward segment of the groove extends upwardly to the forward extremity. The forward extremity is a highest point of the groove. A flap carriage is mounted to the groove and displaceable therealong. A flap is pivotably attached to the flap carriage to define a flap pivot axis about which the flap is rotatable. The flap is displaceable with the flap carriage. An actuator has an arm being extendable between an extended position and a retracted position to displace the flap carriage along the groove. The flap carriage in the retracted position being disposed in the forward segment of the groove and the flap being rotated about the flap pivot axis to position the flap trailing edge in negative flap deployment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: BOMBARDIER INC.
    Inventor: Vlad Iliescu
  • Patent number: 11192628
    Abstract: An articulating flap support housing includes a flap connected to a wing with the flap having a range of deployed positions. An aft fairing is connected to the flap and configured to rotate with the flap through the range of deployed positions. A forward fairing is rotatably connected to the aft fairing. The forward fairing acts as a counterbalance to the aft fairing and flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Kevin R. Tsai, Miranda Peterson
  • Patent number: 11097829
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to control camber are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes a flap support to be coupled to a flap of an aircraft, where the flap is rotatable relative to an aerodynamic surface, a drive arm linkage rotatably coupled to the flap support at a first pivot of the flap support, where the drive arm linkage includes a second pivot at an end opposite the first end, and a flap support actuator operatively coupled to the flap support, where the flap support actuator is to rotate the drive arm linkage. The example apparatus also includes a camber control actuator rotatably coupled to the flap support at a third pivot of the flap support, where the camber control actuator is to be rotatably coupled to the flap at a fourth pivot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Bret Alan Bowers, Kevin Tsai
  • Patent number: 11091248
    Abstract: An actuator mechanism for a flap includes a first link having a rotary-driven end and a free end, and a second link having a forward end, a mid-portion, and an aft end. The rotary-driven end is pivotally connected to a base structure, the forward end is pivotally connected to the free end, and the aft end is connected to the flap. The actuator mechanism also includes a third link that includes a fixed end, an intermediate connector, and an end connector. The fixed end is pivotally connected to the base structure, and the intermediate connector is pivotally connected to the mid-portion of the second link. The actuator mechanism further includes a flap link including a first end pivotally connected to the end connector, and a second end pivotally connected to the flap. Rotation of the first link causes the flap to transition from a stowed to a fully deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Kevin R. Tsai
  • Patent number: 11046425
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for actuating a double-slotted flap movably coupled to an aircraft wing are disclosed. An exemplary method comprises actuating a first panel of the double-slotted flap relative to a structure of the aircraft wing, using motion of the first panel to induce rotation of a slave screw, and using the rotation of the slave screw to actuate the second panel relative to the first panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: BOMBARDIER INC.
    Inventors: Paul Wagner, Richard Harris, Matthew Goldmann
  • Patent number: 11007633
    Abstract: A handheld power tool includes a housing having a handle, a drive motor situated in the housing, and a first interface, the interface being designed to receive pieces of information from at least one second external interface and/or to transmit them to at least one second external interface. The housing has a receptacle opening, the first interface being situated so it is removable in the receptacle opening. Furthermore, the receptacle opening is detachably closable by a cover, the cover locking up the housing toward the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Jens Brennenstuhl, Heiko Roehm
  • Patent number: 10994830
    Abstract: A flap actuating system for use in an aircraft comprises a carriage for supporting and guiding a flap which is engageable with and translationally movable along at least one linear bearing rail. A linear actuator of the flap actuating system has a linearly actuatable coupling element coupled to the carriage and a drive element configured to linearly actuate the coupling element in a direction substantially parallel to a movement direction of the carriage along the linear bearing rail. The drive element is arranged substantially parallel to the movement direction of the carriage along the linear bearing rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventor: Rainer Gartelmann
  • Patent number: 10974816
    Abstract: Example high-fowler flap actuation apparatus and related methods are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a control surface operatively coupled to a wing of an aircraft via a first support arm and a drive arm, the drive arm linearly extendible from a retracted position to a deployed position, the deployed position including the control surface extended away from the wing at a first angle with respect to the wing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Michael T. Mortland
  • Patent number: 10926863
    Abstract: Describes a deflection mechanism of the flap panels of an aircraft, the aforesaid deflection mechanism being connected to a wing of an aircraft by means of a first fixed structure and to the flap panels by linkage points, in order to support and deflect the flap panels in desired positions, the deflection mechanism of the flap panels of an aircraft comprises of a set of moving hinged links pivotally connected with each other and linked to a first fixed structure, and a hinged drive link connected to the flap panel and to a second fixed structure, the set of moving hinged links being linked to the flap panel by at least one linkage point in order to pivot jointly the moving hinged links deploying the flap panels in an initially predominantly rectilinear and subsequently deflected trajectory and at the same time aligned with a longitudinal direction of the aircraft, without the use of tracks and rollers, the hinged drive link being pivoted from the movement of the flap panels by the set of moving hinged links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: EMBRAER S.A.
    Inventor: Marcelo Berthoud
  • Patent number: 10882601
    Abstract: Aircraft wings having improved deflection control ribs are described. An example aircraft wing includes a rear spar, an outboard flap, a rear spar fitting, and a deflection control rib. The outboard flap is movable relative to the rear spar between a stowed position and a deployed position. The outboard flap includes a closure rib and a roller coupled to the closure rib. The rear spar fitting is coupled to the rear spar. The deflection control rib includes a primary arm and a catch. The primary arm is coupled to and extends rearward from the rear spar fitting proximate a lower surface of the aircraft wing. The catch is coupled to and extends rearward from the primary arm. The catch includes an opening to receive the roller of the outboard flap when the outboard flap is in the stowed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Erin Ahern, Tom Mark Balut, Gary Bond, Bryan Jacob Gruner, Eric Milligan
  • Patent number: 10788827
    Abstract: An aircraft includes a wing. The wing includes an aileron pivotally connected to a trailing edge of the wing, and a Lam aileron pivotally connected to the trailing edge of the wing. The aircraft includes a motor connected to the Lam aileron and configured to rotate the Lam aileron. The aircraft includes a controller configured to detect a deflection of the aileron from a neutral position, calculate a target deflection for the Lam aileron using the deflection of the aileron, and cause the motor to rotate the Lam aileron to the target deflection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Lam Aviation, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Lam, Greg Cole
  • Patent number: 10766600
    Abstract: Example articulation assemblies for retracting aircraft flap support fairing tailcones and related methods are described herein. An example flap support fairing disclosed herein includes a housing to be coupled to a bottom side of a flap on a trailing edge of a wing of an aircraft, a tailcone disposed outward from an aft end of the housing, and an articulation assembly configured to move the tailcone between an extended position in which a portion of the tailcone is disposed beyond the aft end of the housing and a retracted position in which the portion of the tailcone is disposed within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Kevin Tsai, Jacob Virnig
  • Patent number: 10633078
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a methodology for designing spoilers or droop panels and aerodynamic systems including the designed spoilers or the designed droop panels. The spoilers and the droop panels can be deployed on a wing with a flap system, which provides for trailing edge variable camber (TEVC) system. During flight, the fixed portions of the wing, the flaps, the spoilers and droop panels can all deform. The spoilers or the droop panels can each be pre-deformed to a first shape on the ground such that in flight the spoilers or the droop panels deform to a second shape under aerodynamic loads. In the second shape, the spoilers or the droop panels are configured to seal better against the flaps. The spoilers or the droop panels can be configured to seal to the flaps during all of the positions the flaps take as part of the TEVC system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jan A. Kordel, Emily Georgia Rayner, Calvin Kao, Adam Charles Jones
  • Patent number: 10618628
    Abstract: An aircraft wing system and method comprising: an aircraft wing; an edge device coupled to a leading edge or trailing edge of the aircraft wing; a drive shaft rotatable about its axis; a crank arm, a first end of the crank arm being coupled to the drive shaft, and a second end of the crank arm opposite to the first end being coupled to the edge device; and a gear system (e.g. a strain wave gear system) coupled between the drive shaft and the first end of the crank arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: BAE Systems plc
    Inventor: Robert Brown
  • Patent number: 10618626
    Abstract: A wing for an aircraft includes a wing structure attachable to a body of an aircraft, at least one high lift body movably supported at the wing structure, a drive unit coupled with the wing structure and the high lift body and adapted to move the high lift body relative to the wing structure in a chordwise direction between a retracted position and an extended position, and a sealing device coupled with the high lift body and the wing structure. The high lift body comprises at least one outer edge facing to the wing structure, which at least one outer edge creates a gap to the wing structure at least in an extended position. The sealing device includes a flexible sealing body, which seals the intermediate space between the high lift body and the wing structure in extended positions of the high lift body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Bernhard Schlipf, Dort Daandels
  • Patent number: 10611462
    Abstract: Actuator assemblies and methods of utilizing the same are disclosed herein. The actuator assemblies include a base structure and an actuated arm that are pivotally coupled to the base structure. The actuator assemblies also include a drive assembly that is operatively attached to the base structure and includes an output shaft. The actuator assemblies further include a linear actuator that includes an actuator shaft and an actuated body. The actuator shaft is coupled to and configured to rotate with the output shaft about an actuator shaft axis of rotation. The actuator assemblies also include a linkage that is pivotally coupled to the actuated arm. In addition, the linkage is operatively attached to the actuated body via a joint. The joint defines a plurality of joint axes of rotation that are spaced apart from the actuator shaft axis of rotation of the actuator shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Stuart David Young
  • Patent number: 10538306
    Abstract: A high-lift device surface and associated method of designing the high-lift device surface is described. The flap can be attached to a wing on aircraft. The method can involve determining a manufactured shape of the flap. The manufactured flap shape can be deflected in some manner, such as bent or twisted, so that under selected flight conditions, such as cruise, the manufactured flap shape morphs into a second desired shape that satisfies specified constraints, such as geometric and sealing constraints. An advantage of the approach is that the flap doesn't have to be mechanically forced, using mechanical elements, into the second desired shape. The elimination of the mechanical elements results in weight and cost savings to aircraft on which the flap is deployed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jan A. Kordel, Jacob Daniel Virnig, Michael Albert Balzer, Bruce Detert, Emanuel Rizal Setiawan
  • Patent number: 10408192
    Abstract: A rotor blade of a wind turbine, wherein the rotor blade includes a lift modifying device, is provided. The lift modifying device is a part of the trailing edge section of the rotor blade. The lift modifying device is configured such that, at a predetermined loading of the trailing edge section, an air channel opens up a flow path from the pressure side to the suction side and vice versa in the trailing edge section. As a consequence, airflow flowing from the leading edge section of the rotor blade to the trailing edge section is at least partly deflected by the open air channel, which results in a modification of the lift of the rotor blade. A method to modify the lift of a rotor blade of a wind turbine is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: SIEMENS GAMESA RENEWABLE ENERGY A/S
    Inventors: Alejandro Gomez Gonzalez, Jesper Monrad Laursen
  • Patent number: 10364019
    Abstract: This invention relates to an aircraft flap mechanism, entirely contained within each flap, such that each flap can be activated independently of any other. The mechanism includes electric, pneumatic or hydraulic motors which activate the movement of the flaps. The invention results in a compact, light, low cost, reliable and easy to maintain mechanism. Furthermore, due to the fact that the mechanism is entirely contained within the flap it maximizes internal wing space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Inventor: Thomas Hsueh
  • Patent number: 10352078
    Abstract: An electric vehicle (1) has a charging flap (10) articulated on a support structure by way of a four-bar linkage arrangement (14) so that the charging flap (10) can be moved between a closed position (FIG. 3A) and an open position (FIG. 3F). To simplify the actuation of the charging flap, the mechanism for actuating the charging flap (10) has a push-push element (20) combined with a spring device (15) that is assigned to the four-bar linkage arrangement (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F Porsch Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Kai Geissenhoener, Detlev Ranft
  • Patent number: 10207791
    Abstract: Example actuator assemblies to deploy aircraft leading edge flaps and seals for aircraft leading edge flaps are described herein. An example apparatus includes an aircraft flap that is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The flap includes a top panel. A notch is formed in the top panel and extends into a side of the top panel near a trailing edge of the flap. The example apparatus also includes a seal coupled to the flap. The seal is movable to cover the notch when the flap is in the deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Patterson Johnson, Seiya Sakurai, Gregory M. Santini, Christopher A. Konings, Adam M. Clark
  • Patent number: 10035580
    Abstract: An aerodynamic fairing body for an aircraft, a corresponding aircraft and a corresponding method of manufacture for an aerodynamic fairing body are described. The fairing body is configured so as to accommodate a flap adjustment mechanism. Further, the fairing body is configured so as to be arranged at a predetermined distance from an engine of the aircraft, which produces a blast which varies depending on the flight phase. Furthermore, the fairing body is configured so as to be varied in shape in such a way that the fairing body is located outside the blast of the engine permanently. In other words, the fairing body can be varied in shape in such a way that it is located outside the engine blast in any flight phase of the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Karsten Schroeder, Hendrik Friedel
  • Patent number: 10023302
    Abstract: An actuation system for deploying and retracting a lift assisting device of a leading edge of a wing of an aircraft including a track pivotally coupled to the lift assisting device. The track has first and second outer surfaces and side surfaces. The actuation system includes a shaft rotationally coupled within the wing of the aircraft and operable, in response to flight control signals, to deploy or retract the lift assisting device. The actuation system includes an actuator for actuating the lift assisting device, coupled to the shaft, between a retracted position to a deployed position along an arcuate path. The actuation system includes a plurality of track roller bearings rotatably contacting the first and second outer surfaces of the track to guide the track along the arcuate path. The plurality of track roller bearings includes one or more lined track roller assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Roller Bearing Company of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick S. Gyuricsko, Jay Phoenix, Arnold E. Fredericksen, John H. Cowles, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10000276
    Abstract: The present application relates to a pushing device, a moving mechanism and an aircraft. According to an aspect of the present application, a pushing device for a moving mechanism of an aircraft is provided, the moving mechanism including a primary moving device and an auxiliary moving device assisting the primary moving device, the pushing device including a support member and a pushing assembly supported by the support member, and the pushing assembly including a pushing element and an energy storage element. The pushing element is adapted to push a broken part of the auxiliary moving device to an offset position from a normal working position by means of energy from the energy storage element when the auxiliary moving device breaks. According to the present application, it is possible to provide an effective fault protection to the moving mechanism of the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: AIRBUS (BEIJING) ENGINEERING CENTRE COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Ming Li, Yumin Sun
  • Patent number: 9963220
    Abstract: The flap deploying device for a flap disposed at a leading edge or a trailing edge of a main wing of the aircraft, the deploying device including: a drive source; a moving mechanism with a moving body advancing and retracting by power of the drive source; a carriage mechanism that carries advancing and retracting motion of the moving body to the flap so as to deploy the flap between a retracted position and a deployed position; and a rail that guides the carriage mechanism. Since the moving mechanism is arranged lateral to the rail in the wingspan direction of the main wing, the dimension of the wing in a thickness direction can be reduced at least by a dimension corresponding to the moving mechanism. Therefore, the wing can be made thinner, or the projecting height of a flap track fairing can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenya Ishihara, Zenta Sugawara
  • Patent number: 9950782
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reacting rotary actuator and control surface loads into a wing structure using reaction links. The apparatus incorporates a structural interface feature that can facilitate a change of the component(s) in the load loop, such as the path connecting a control surface to a fixed aircraft structure via a rotary actuator. In particular, the structural interface between the rotary actuator and the rear spar of a wing can be tuned for stiffness to achieve an optimized load path that reacts actuator and control surface loads back into the wing structure. An actuator integration objective can be met for any rotary actuator using an integration method which tolerates wing and/or hinge line deflection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Neal Van Huynh, John A. Standley
  • Patent number: 9926069
    Abstract: A load-bearing fairing element for a flap adjustment mechanism of an aircraft comprises a shell-shaped fairing housing with an at least partly U-shaped profile with an open side, a closed side, and a direction of main extension, at least one first cover panel that along the direction of main extension covers part of the open side, and a load-bearing bridge element. The bridge element is arranged in the fairing housing and with a base area conforms so as to be flush against an internal surface of the fairing housing and extends towards the open side. The bridge element comprises an essentially planar cover area that covers the base area on the open side in order to produce a closed profile contour that is circumferential on the direction of main extension. The bridge element comprises means for holding a shaft feed-in of a central flap drive and means for holding an adjustment mechanism that is couplable to the shaft feed-in.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Tamas Havar, Mirko Missbach, Wolfgang Machunze
  • Patent number: 9856014
    Abstract: A fairing drive assembly couples a flap assembly of a wing of an aircraft to a fairing of the wing. The fairing drive assembly may include a fairing cam including a first joint and a second joint, and a flap link pivotally coupled to the first joint of the fairing cam and the flap assembly. A fairing drive arm is pivotally coupled to the second joint and the fairing. The fairing cam is configured to rotate upon actuation of the flap assembly and deflect the fairing away from the flap assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Matthew James Osborn, Seiya Sakurai, Benjamin A. Clark, Steven C. Penn