Rudders And Empennage Patents (Class 244/87)
  • Patent number: 8651422
    Abstract: A fuselage section for the pressure fuselage of an aircraft which comprises a fuselage shell structure and at least one pressure bulkhead made of a fiber composite material, the pressure bulkhead being formed in one piece with the fuselage shell structure. A fuselage shell comprising at least one fuselage section of this type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Torsten Noebel, Birgit Willms
  • Patent number: 8613409
    Abstract: A trailing edge aerodynamic airfoil of a load-bearing aerodynamic surface of an aircraft of the crocodile type has two airfoil flaps, with each flap being integral in a forward section with a rotational shaft that determines the axis of rotation of the airfoil flap. In a position called the zero setting, the airfoil flaps are essentially joined and form a rear section of the load-bearing surface, and each airfoil flap is movable in translation independently of the other airfoil flap, relative to the load-bearing surface, with each flap being entrained in rotation relative to the load-bearing surface around its axis of rotation by the motion in translation. The ends of the rotational shaft have extensions guided by runners fastened to these ends and acting conjointly with racks fastened to the load-bearing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations (S.A.S.)
    Inventors: Olivier Cazals, Thierry Druot
  • Publication number: 20130320137
    Abstract: A rudder system for an aircraft includes a centre box, a rudder and actuators, wherein the rudder is pivoted around a hinge line relative to the centre box. The actuators are arranged at an acute angle relative to the hinge line, and connected with at least one pivoted pivot lever, wherein the pivot lever is fastened to the rudder by way of a first push rod. This provides considerably more installation space in a vertical stabilizer of an aircraft for a centre box, so that the latter can comprise a distinctly smaller wall thickness than usual in prior art to absorb air load-induced torsion and bending stresses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventor: Christian Maenz
  • Patent number: 8579230
    Abstract: An aircraft engine assembly including a turboshaft engine with a propeller and an attachment pylon intended to be laterally attached on a rear portion of the structure of the aircraft is disclosed. The pylon has an outer surface forming an aerodynamic profile incorporating a trailing edge which is arranged upstream of the propeller of the turboshaft engine. The pylon includes a mobile rear flap at least partially defining the trailing edge and a controller which steers the incidence of the flap according to a law depending on the incidence of the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: AIRBUS Operations S.A.S.
    Inventors: Lionel Diochon, Steve Bedoin, Damien Prat
  • Patent number: 8573539
    Abstract: The invention comprises a triform fitting 1, essentially made from non-metallic composite materials including several strengthening cross ribs 4 for joining symmetrical flanges 3 and a longitudinal flange 2. The symmetrical flanges 3 include cross slots 8 for receiving the run-out 16 of the webs 11 of several T-shaped internal stringers 9 that form part of the torsion boxes 6. The feet 10 of the stringers 9 are joined along one of their faces to the skins 7 of the torsion boxes 6, while the end zones of the free faces of said feet 10 are placed against the outer face of the symmetrical flanges 3 of the triform fitting 1. This ensures that the symmetrical flanges 3 of the triform fitting 1 remain inside the torsion boxes 6. Alternatively, the fitting 1 may not include the cross slots 8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations, S.L.
    Inventor: Francisco Javier Honorato Ruíz
  • Patent number: 8573530
    Abstract: A rear tail assembly for an aircraft, including a fuselage, a wing and at least one propulsion engine attached in the rear portion of the fuselage located behind the wing along the X longitudinal axis of the aircraft, wherein the aforementioned assembly includes aerodynamic surfaces connected in the rear portion of the fuselage. The tail assembly essentially includes horizontal aerodynamic surfaces and essentially vertical aerodynamic surface arranged so as to form an annular structure including at least one ring attached to the fuselage. At least one engine is held in the ring formed by the tail assembly. In one embodiment, a central fin is used for defining two rings in the annular structure. In particular embodiments of an aircraft including such a tail assembly, one or two engines can be fitted in the ring area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventors: Olivier Cazals, Thierry Druot
  • Patent number: 8561948
    Abstract: A method for ensuring the safety of an aircraft flying horizontally at low speed includes an operation in which, when the flaps of the aircraft are disposed in a maximum extended position and are blown on by airscrews, the flaps are at least partially retracted, automatically, based on whether the thrust of the engines is at least equal to a predetermined lift value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventor: Stephane Chardon
  • Patent number: 8550398
    Abstract: Optimization of structures subjected to hot gas streams. The invention refers to a fairing (10) for aircraft horizontal stabilizer (3) comprising a front part (11) and a rear part (12), the front part (11) covering a limited extent of the fairing (10) surface, which is the part of the fairing (10) receiving hot air stream (6) coming from the aircraft engines (4), this front part (11) being made of an anti-erosion material, the rear part (12) covering the rest of the surface of the fairing (10), this rear part (12) being made of a material resisting the aerodynamic loads existing on the fairing (10). The invention also refers to an aircraft comprising a horizontal stabilizer (3) with a fairing (10) such as the one described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations S.L.
    Inventors: José Javier Almendros Gómez, Yolanda De Gregorio Hurtado
  • Patent number: 8544800
    Abstract: Methods and systems for efficiently increasing the wing area of an aircraft are disclosed herein. An integrated wingtip extension configured in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes a tapered wing section and a winglet. The tapered wing section includes an inboard end portion having a first chord length and an outboard end portion having a second chord length that is less than the first chord length. The winglet is fixedly attached to the outboard end portion. The inboard end portion is configured to be fixedly attached to a tip portion of an aircraft wing. In one embodiment, the tapered wing section and the winglet can be integrally formed from composite materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Victor K. Stuhr
  • Patent number: 8496203
    Abstract: An aircraft includes, but is not limited to a central fuselage body without horizontal stabilizer, at least one high-lift control surface, at least one vertical stabilizer that is arranged on the central fuselage body and at least one extendable compensation control surface. The compensation control surface may be moved independently of the high-lift control surface of the aircraft and generates a positive tail-heavy pitching moment when it is moved into the flow against the aircraft. Due to this measure, a negative pitching moment during the actuation of high-lift control surfaces may be at least partially eliminated without influencing the high lift. Rudder segments that may be moved opposite to one another on two vertical stabilizers that are arranged mirror-symmetrical referred to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft preferably are used for this purpose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Malte Schwarze, Andreas Westenberger
  • Patent number: 8490925
    Abstract: A wing tip device for a wing includes a root and a tip, and the following determinant characteristics: the local dihedral of the wing tip device continuously increases or decreases from the root to the tip; the local sweep of the trailing edge continuously increases along its progression from the root to the tip of the wing tip device; where the local sweep of the leading edge continuously increases in the progression of the leading edge from the root to a first intermediate point; continuously decreases from the first intermediate point to a second intermediate point; and continuously increases from the second intermediate point at least to a region before of the tip of the wing tip device; as well as a wing comprising a wing tip device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Buescher, Michael Karwin, Frank Theurich
  • Patent number: 8474747
    Abstract: An aircraft (1) horizontal stabilizer (2) which can vary its sweep angle (6) by rotating around an essentially vertical axis (4) with respect to the direction of flight of the aircraft (1) when the aircraft (1) is in flight at high speeds, close to the speed of sound, this axis (4) being contained in the plane of symmetry of the aforementioned aircraft (1), the aforementioned horizontal stabilizer (2) being is a single and structurally continuous component such that it does not transmit a bending moment to the fuselage (14) structure of the aircraft (1), which permits it to be of reduced weight, such that the horizontal stabilizer (2) rotates in a single way and a single direction around the axis (4) to achieve the sweep angle (6) required for high-speed flight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations, S.L.
    Inventor: Raul Carlos Llamas Sandin
  • Patent number: 8464977
    Abstract: A positive-pressure floating type airplane comprising an airfoil portion, left-right fuselages, a central fuselage, an elevator and a rudder disposed at the back of the airfoil portion, a thruster disposed at the back of the central fuselage, and a horizontal stabilizer disposed at the rear ends of the left-right fuselages. The individual front ends of the airfoil portion, the left-right fuselages and the central fuselage are formed into arcuate shapes in longitudinal sections. On the lower side of the airfoil portion, a recessed air capture is formed from the front end to the rear end. As a result, the positive-pressure floating type airplane is floated by the reaction from the air at the time when the air to pass the air capture through the airfoil portion is pushed by the thrust of the thruster, and is propelled forward by the component of that thrust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Bellsion
    Inventor: Masahiko Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8444091
    Abstract: Trailing edge (3) of an aircraft stabilizer surface (1), where this surface (1) is manufactured of a composite material and comprises an outer cladding (40) and an inner cladding (41) that are connected by a connecting clip type element (20) on this trailing edge (3), the connecting clip type element (20) comprising at its ends some recesses (23) used for coupling to the inner zone of the upper and lower claddings (40, 41) of the stabilizer surface (1), such that the connecting clip type element (20) is flexible enough to be pinched so that its ends will be housed, by means of these recesses (23), between the outer and inner claddings (40, 41) of the aircraft stabilizer surface (1), whereby the outer zone of the stabilizer surface (1), on its trailing edge (3), is formed by a continuous aerodynamic surface without changes of gradient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations S.L.
    Inventors: Alberto Balsa González, Francisco de Paula Burgos Gallego
  • Publication number: 20130119193
    Abstract: The stabilizing device (1) comprises auxiliary stabilizers (6) which are mounted on the horizontal tailplane (2) of the aircraft and which generate a lateral stabilizing effect when brought into a deployed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: Airbus Operation SAS
    Inventors: Pierre-Emmanuel Gall, Christophe Cros, Mickaël Lallemand
  • Patent number: 8439302
    Abstract: An aircraft has at least two rudder units in a non-central arrangement. The rudder units have a profile and are rigidly secured to the aircraft. The profile is adjusted in such a way as to yield an inflow at a positive geometric angle of incidence, so that the profile generates a lift force having a component pointing in the flight direction. This makes it possible to offset a portion of the aircraft drag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Malte Schwarze, Andreas Westenberger
  • Patent number: 8424798
    Abstract: An aircraft features a source of forward thrust on a fuselage having a helicopter rotor assembly and an asymmetric primary wing configuration providing more wing-generated lift on one side of the fuselage than the other. The primary wing configuration counteracts the rotor's dissymmetry of lift during forward cruising, and reliance on the separate thrust source for such cruising reduces demand on the main rotor, keeping the angle of attack on the rotor blades low to avoid the stalling and violent vibration experienced by conventional helicopters at relatively high speeds. In some embodiments, an oppositely asymmetric tail wing or horizontal stabilizer acts alone, or together with an offset vertical stabilizer laterally outward from the tail, to counteract yaw-inducing drag of the primary wing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Inventor: Douglas Challis
  • Patent number: 8408495
    Abstract: A fitting is provided to fix a vertical tail stabilizer of an aircraft to a composite skin and a composite frame of the aircraft in an area of a rear fuselage thereof. The fitting includes a first composite piece having lugs to attach to the vertical tail stabilizer and having vertical walls to fix the fitting to the composite frame of the rear fuselage. The fitting further includes at least one pair of additional composite pieces, each having a horizontal wall to fix the fitting to the composite skin of the rear fuselage. A second pair of additional composite pieces may be provided to further secure the fitting to the skin of the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations, S.L.
    Inventors: Diego Folch Cortés, Enrique Vera Villares, Javier Cabeza Huertas, José María Pina López, Elena Arévalo Rodríguez
  • Patent number: 8401716
    Abstract: A system and method for a controlling an aircraft with flight control surfaces that are controlled both manually and by a computing device is disclosed. The present invention improves overall flight control operation by reducing the mechanical flight control surface components while providing sufficient back-up control capability in the event of either a mechanical or power-related failure. Through the present invention, natural feedback is provided to the operator from the mechanical flight control surface which operates independent of computer-aided flight control surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Philippe A. Ciholas, Mark W. Palmer
  • Publication number: 20130043354
    Abstract: A system and methods for configuring a fluid-dynamic body is disclosed. A camber of a fluid-dynamic body is configured by activating a shape memory alloy actuator coupled to the fluid-dynamic body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Inventors: Moushumi Shome, Frederick T. Calkins, James Henry Mabe, Matthew Todd Grimshaw
  • Publication number: 20130043353
    Abstract: A system for controlling yaw associated with an airship may include one or more vertical control surfaces associated with the airship, a first power source and a second power source, each configured to provide a thrust associated with the airship, and a yaw control configured to receive an input indicative of a desired yaw angle. The system may further include a controller communicatively connected to the yaw control, the one or more vertical control surfaces, and the first and second power sources. The controller may be configured to receive an output signal from the yaw control corresponding to the desired yaw angle and to generate a control signal configured to modify a state associated with at least one of the one or more vertical control surfaces, the first power source, and the second power source, such that the airship substantially attains the desired yaw angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: LTA CORPORATION
    Inventor: LTA CORPORATION
  • Patent number: 8376270
    Abstract: An improvement and method for improved structural dynamic stability for 20 and 30 Series Learjets are disclosed. The improvement includes a redistribution of the elevator mass balance to uncouple the elevator rotational motion from the stabilizer translation motion for the higher order horizontal frequencies having node lines in the proximity of the mass outboard counterbalance weights. The original tail section includes a rudder, and a horizontal stabilizer supporting an elevator mounted adjacent the rudder. The elevator includes a proximal end adjacent the rudder and a distal end that includes a counterbalance portion. The improvement includes replacement of an original mass counterbalance weight from within the counterbalance portion with a new mass counterbalance weight of less mass, and the inclusion of additional mass counterbalance weights disposed within the elevator and interposed between the proximal end and the counterbalance portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Inventor: John Baker
  • Publication number: 20130037657
    Abstract: A vortex generator, or an array of vortex generators, for attenuating flow separation during flow of fluid over a surface. Vortex generators include a base with a forward end and a leading edge extending outward and rearward from the forward end to an outward end. The leading edge includes a first angular discontinuity at a height H1 above the base, and a second angular discontinuity at a height H2 above the base. The vortex generator(s) are configured for generating, adjacent a surface, at least two (2) vortices V1 and V2 in a fluid, and turning the outermost generated vortice toward the surface over which the fluid is passing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: RAMGEN POWER SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventor: ROBERT E. BREIDENTHAL
  • Patent number: 8371520
    Abstract: A hybrid fixed wing aircraft converts into a roadworthy vehicle in a matter of seconds therefore operating efficiently in both air and ground transportation systems. The single piece wing is mounted on a skewed pivot that is on the lower portion of the fuselage and is operated by a pushbutton operating system. The aircraft includes telescopic twin boom tail design that when extended allows good pitch stability and damping. The aircraft's wing area may be increased with additional telescopic wing tip segments. This allows an increase in aspect ratio, hence improving efficiency at high loads. This feature also creates a reduction in induced drag at cruise speed by simply retracting the tips in flight. The vehicle has a unique synchronized control system that switches from flight to ground mode without input from the operator, thereby providing a natural interface for the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Inventor: William Craig Easter
  • Patent number: 8371523
    Abstract: A system that acts on a rudder (L) having its stop parts commanded or moved by an actuator (A) is described. The rudder system comprises a reversible mechanical system with movable stop parts working based on control/command signals, having stop parts (M, M?) inside of the field of movement of the actuator (A), interfering in the movement of said actuator; the mentioned control signals are based on informations of the aircraft such as traction of the engines or other signal from each engine (pressure, temperature or axis rotation speed); flight speed (“airspeed”); altitude; skidding angle; aircraft on the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Embraer S.A.
    Inventors: Edwin José Meinberg Macedo, Leonardo Cavanha Almeida
  • Patent number: 8360359
    Abstract: Aircraft horizontal stabilizer surface (8) in which the sweep angle (40) of this surface (8), where this angle (40) is the one formed by the projection of the reference line of points located at 25% of the local chord (19) of the horizontal stabilizer surface (8) on a plane perpendicular to the aircraft plane of symmetry (21), and which also contains this plane to the flight direction of the aircraft with respect to the aircraft plane of symmetry (21), is less than 90 degrees, with this angle (40) being measured in the flight direction of the aircraft. In addition, the structural connection of this horizontal stabilizer surface (8) to the aircraft fuselage (1) is located at a closing frame (13) of this fuselage (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations S.L.
    Inventors: Raúl Carlos Llamas Sandin, Miguel Luque Buzo
  • Publication number: 20130020432
    Abstract: A method for providing a controllable side force to an air vehicle having a vertical stabilizer arrangement includes (a) selectively causing the vertical stabilizer arrangement to generate a first side force in a first side direction to provide the controllable side force, the first side force inducing a corresponding first yaw moment in a first yaw direction; and (b) selectively providing to the air vehicle a second yaw moment in a second yaw direction, the second yaw moment being induced by a force component of an auxiliary force applied to the air vehicle, the force component being in a force direction that is non-parallel with respect to the first side direction and the force component being spaced from a center of gravity of the air vehicle; wherein the second yaw direction is opposed to the first yaw direction. Also disclosed is a corresponding auxiliary yaw generating system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: ISRAEL AEROSPACE INDUSTRIES LTD.
    Inventors: Itzhak YOGEV, Michael SHEPSHELOVICH, Danny ABRAMOV
  • Patent number: 8356770
    Abstract: An aircraft tail section has a first tail component and a second tail component, the first tail component being positioned further forward than the second tail component with respect to a nose of the aircraft. Each tail component has two surfaces, each of the two surfaces of at least one of the first and second tail components comprises a solar panel configured to collect solar energy. Each tail component is rotatable with respect to a centerline of the aircraft such that an offset angle of between zero degrees and 180 degrees is formed between corresponding surfaces of the first and second tail components. Preferably, the tail components are rotated into (i) a takeoff and landing configuration that is substantially horizontal, and (ii) a crosswise configuration during flight such that collection of solar energy is maximized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Aurora Flight Sciences Corporation
    Inventor: Robert Parks
  • Patent number: 8342445
    Abstract: A method for controlling control surfaces. A position limit is identified for movement of a control surface based on a load limit set for the control surface and a number of vehicle current operation parameters to form an identified position limit. Responsive to receiving a command to move the control surface on a vehicle to a new position, the control surface is commanded to move to a position within the identified position limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Chuong B. Tran, Kioumars Najmabadi, Edward E. Coleman, David W. Grubb
  • Patent number: 8342446
    Abstract: An aircraft has a vertical fin fastened to the rear and above a fuselage of elongated form, essentially in a vertical plane of symmetry of the aircraft. The vertical fin has at least two stable positions, an extended position and a returned position, such that a surface of the vertical fin, subjected to an aerodynamic flow when the aircraft is in flight, is modified in position or in surface between the returned position and the extended position, so that the aerodynamic drag of the vertical fin is reduced in the returned position under given flight conditions compared to the extended position. The change from one surface to another of the vertical fin is accomplished by modifying the geometry of the vertical fin or by displacing the vertical fin relative to the fuselage so that the vertical fin, for example, is more or less inside the fuselage, or more or less immersed in the wake zone of the fuselage in which the local dynamic pressure Pd is reduced relative to the infinitely upstream dynamic pressure Pd0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventors: Philippe Chareyre, Thierry Druot, Olivier Cazals
  • Publication number: 20120298795
    Abstract: The invention relates to an aircraft the fuselage (2) of which extends along a longitudinal axis. The fuselage includes a more or less cylindrical central portion (3) and a rear portion (4) that may have a flattened or conventional shape. This rear portion (4) which comprises the rear end of the fuselage includes a support surface (6) which bears at least one horizontal stabilizer (8) and/or vertical stabilizer (10). This is able to pivot in relation in relation to the central portion (3) around an axis such as the pitch axis, at least one stabilizer (8, 10) or the support surface (6) being equipped with at least one control surface (12a-b, 14a-b, 7).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS (S.A.S.)
    Inventors: Olivier Cazals, Jaime Genty de la Sagne
  • Publication number: 20120267473
    Abstract: A system comprising an aerial vehicle or an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) (100,400,1000,1500) configured to control pitch, roll, and/or yaw via airfoils (141,142,1345,1346) having resiliently mounted trailing edges opposed by fuselage-house house deflecting actuator horns (621,622). Embodiments include one or more rudder elements (1045, 1046,1145, 1146,1245, 1345, 1346,1445, 1446,1545, 1546) which may be rotatably attached and actuated by an effector member (1049,1149,1249,1349) disposed within the fuselage housing (1001) and extendible in part to engage the one or more rudder elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventors: Tony Shuo Tao, Nathan Olson, Carlos Thomas Miralles, Robert Nickerson Plumb
  • Patent number: 8292225
    Abstract: An airplane includes a fuselage having a shape elongated along a longitudinal axis X of the airplane and at least one wing fixed to the fuselage between the front end and the rear end of the fuselage. The fuselage includes a substantially cylindrical central part and a rear tapered part on which a vertical empennage is fixed. Between a section connecting the rear part with the central part of the fuselage and the rear end the maximum width of each section of the fuselage is constant or increasing rearwards up to a maximum width L of the fuselage, the height of each section of the fuselage is decreasing rearwards in the direction of the negative X, so that the rear end of the fuselage forms a trailing edge having a small thickness which is substantially horizontal in an airplane reference system and substantially rectilinear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventors: Olivier Cazals, Jaime Genty de la Sagne
  • Publication number: 20120256047
    Abstract: According to the invention, the thickness (EP1) of the trailing edge (4) of the rudder (9) is varied as a function of the span (E) of the vertical tail (2) to adapt the local value of the coefficient of lateral lift applied to the vertical tail (2) to a maximum allowable value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: Airbus Operations (SAS)
    Inventor: Alain Tanguy
  • Patent number: 8282038
    Abstract: A bi-directional flight control surface mechanism comprises a fixed part V of a vertical stabilizer having leading and trailing edges and a rudder having leading and trailing edges. The rudder is mounted relative to the fixed part of the vertical stabilizer so that the trailing edge of the fixed structure is adjacent the leading edge of the rudder. The rudder is movable from a neutral position in which the rudder lies in line with the fixed part of the vertical stabilizer to define a notional centerline to first and second angled positions in which the rudder is angled relative to the fixed part of the vertical stabilizer at a non-zero angle on one or other side of the notional centerline. An actuator is provided to drive the rudder relative to the fixed part of the vertical stabilizer so as to vary the distance between said part of the trailing edge of the fixed part of the vertical stabilizer and the leading edge of the rudder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Airbus Operations Limited
    Inventors: Keith MacGregor, David Croston
  • Patent number: 8276847
    Abstract: A cover for an aircraft structure, in particular for nose parts of the vertical tail, horizontal tail or the wing, including a skin and support structure. The skin is arranged on the support structure and the support structure includes a plurality of ribs and a plurality of stringers. The plurality of stringers are arranged on the plurality of ribs to support the skin. Also provided is an aircraft having such a cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventor: Christian Mänz
  • Patent number: 8267347
    Abstract: A road driving and flight vehicle is able to automatically convert between two configurations to facilitate operations as an automobile and as an aircraft. In the flight configuration the craft includes two jet engines at a rear body part, two wings with ailerons produced by open/flap upwardly doors where the upper end is hinged to a body and bottom end raised up to place wings horizontally, and a vertical stabilizer with rudder and two horizontal stabilizers with elevators. In the road driving configuration vehicle includes conventional automobile power plant in the front part of the body, four wheels of which two front wheels are steerable, two doors, and a vertical and two horizontal stabilizers are stored at a rear part of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Inventor: Yan Goldshteyn
  • Patent number: 8220737
    Abstract: An aircraft capable of vertical take-off and landing is provided. The aircraft includes a fuselage having a forward portion and an aft portion. A lift fan extends though a duct, which extends through the fuselage. The aircraft further includes a pair of wing sets where each set of wings include first and second wings. Each set of wings has a first wing with a first wing root interconnected to the fuselage forward of a central axis of the lift fan and a second wing having a second wing root interconnected to the fuselage aft of the central axis of the lift fan. The tips of each set of wings are connected. The aircraft further includes a pusher fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Frontline Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan S. Wood, Darold B. Cummings, David W. Hall
  • Publication number: 20120168559
    Abstract: An easily removable and lightweight horizontal stabilizer configured to provide aerodynamic stability for a rotorcraft. The horizontal stabilizer comprising a spar removably coupled to a tailboom with a removable spar attachment means, the spar being located transversely through a tailboom opening and configured to provide structural support for at least a first horizontal airfoil and a second horizontal airfoil. The first and second horizontal airfoils are configured to fittingly receive the spar so that the spar fits at least partially inside the first and second horizontal airfoils. The first and second horizontal air-foils extend outboard from the tailboom to provide aerodynamic pitch stability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: William D. Dennison, Carl A. May
  • Patent number: 8210468
    Abstract: An aircraft can include a tail section and a stabilizing system coupled to the tail section. The stabilizing system has a vertical stabilizer and at least one strake that cooperate to generate forces that compensate for a reaction torque generated by a main lifting rotor that produces lifting forces when the aircraft is in flight. Methods for improving aircraft performance include installing the at least one strake and retrofitting of a vertical stabilizer to increase thrust forces produced by a tail rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: BLR Aerospace, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Robert J. Desroche
  • Publication number: 20120145834
    Abstract: Control surfaces in an aircraft attitude control configuration provide attitude control for an aircraft at hover or low air speed conditions. The aircraft attitude control configuration includes thrusters mounted to an aircraft, a first control surface kinematically coupled to the aircraft downstream of a first thruster to enable a first vector force to be generated by a portion of thrusted air from the first thruster on the first control surface, and a second control surface kinematically coupled to the aircraft of a second thruster. The control surfaces are displaced symmetrically a longitudinal axis of the aircraft. The control surfaces are independently and differentially movable with respect to each other to enable generation of a second vector force by a portion of thrusted air from the second thruster on the second control surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: MORGAN AIRCRAFT, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Herman Morgan, David LeRoy Hagen
  • Patent number: 8196863
    Abstract: According to the invention, the horizontal stabilizer comprises a fixed intermediate part secured to the structure of said aircraft and at least one mobile edge part able to slide with respect to said fixed intermediate part, transversely to the length thereof. Mobile flaps are able to provide the aerodynamic continuity of the suction face and of the pressure face of said stabilizer when said mobile edge part is deployed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Couffignal, Frederic Vinches
  • Patent number: 8196860
    Abstract: An aircraft having reduced environmental impact includes at least one engine with at least one propeller carried, at the rear, on the top of the aircraft with the propeller(s) located in vertical alignment with the rear part of a noise barrier cell and the rear face of a burst zone situated forward of the central part of an empennage box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventors: Pierre-Emmanuel Gall, Christophe Cros
  • Publication number: 20120138738
    Abstract: The system includes deflection transmission means (16) to provide a deflection position of the high-lift device (8) for each setting angle position of an adjustable HTP (2). Preferably, the deflection transmission means (18,20,23) comprise essentially of a mechanical linkage connected between the high-lift device (8) and the aircraft (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS, S.L.
    Inventors: Pilar Vela Orge, Armaud Namer, Angel Pascual Fuertes, Francisco Javier Simon Calero
  • Publication number: 20120138739
    Abstract: An aircraft (1) provided with a tail boom (4) including a tail plane (100) provided with an airfoil surface (5), the airfoil surface (5) being provided with at least one stabilizer portion (11, 12) extending laterally outside the tail boom (4) and with a central portion (13) extending inside the tail boom (4), said stabilizer portion (11, 12) being implanted in an orifice (6, 7) of the tail boom (4) that is defined by a peripheral wall (6?, 7?), clearance (21, 22) existing between said stabilizer portion (11, 12) and said peripheral wall (6, 7). The aircraft includes combating means (30) for combating the flutter phenomenon, which means are provided with stiffener means (31, 32) exerting predetermined compressive stress on said stabilizer portion (11, 12), said stiffener means (31, 32) being arranged at the root of the stabilizer portion (11, 12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: EUROCOPTER
    Inventors: Rodolphe Lhermenault, Thomas Meyer, Jean Azeau, Julien Guitton
  • Patent number: 8191825
    Abstract: A fairing system for a horizontal stabilizer of an aircraft and to a process for installing said system, such that the fairing system for the sealing of the horizontal stabilizer and the fuselage of the aircraft includes a primary fairing arranged on the horizontal stabilizer of the aircraft, the primary fairing being solidly connected to the horizontal stabilizer which is in turn trimmable with respect to the fuselage, the fairing system in turn comprising a secondary fairing such that the primary fairing is coupled to the horizontal stabilizer through supports arranged in the direction of the chord of the primary fairing, said supports being located in the outer part of said primary fairing with respect to the fuselage, the secondary fairing being arranged in the outer part of the supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Airbus Operations S.L.
    Inventors: Gonzalo Ramirez Blanco, Jose Luis Lozano Garcia
  • Patent number: 8181903
    Abstract: Aircraft having two, preferably four or more, rotors (20) in wing hatches (10) which can be closed. The closure mechanism has, at the top, individually curved elements on a rollshutter (scroll/roller blind) (40) and, at the bottom, a set of longitudinal fins (30). One or more propeller/impeller drives are firmly connected to the stabilator (60), which can be pivoted over a wide extent. In hovering flight, the wing hatches (10) are opened and the impeller drives (60), together with the stabilator, are pivoted largely vertically downwards. During the transition to cruise flight, the large flaperons (100) are lowered, and the propeller/impeller drives (60), together with the stabilator, are slowly pivoted to the horizontal. When the forward speed is sufficient, the wing hatches (10) are closed, the rotors (20) are stopped, and the flaperons (100) are raised somewhat again. The pilot has unobstructed visibility through the gap between the wingtips (70).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Inventor: David Posva
  • Publication number: 20120111997
    Abstract: An aircraft is disclosed having an engine and a propeller mounted to a fuselage. An empennage mounts to the aircraft and includes first and second horizontal stabilizers separated by a distance greater than the diameter of a stream tube of the propeller at the horizontal stabilizers. A rudder extends between the horizontal stabilizers and is positioned within the stream tube of the propeller. The rudder may mount to a first vertical stabilizer extending between the horizontal stabilizers. The horizontal stabilizers may be secured to second and third vertical stabilizers to form a duct having the rudder positioned within the duct. Additional rudders may mount to the second and third vertical stabilizers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: GROEN BROTHERS AVIATION, INC
    Inventor: Robert Owen White
  • Publication number: 20120104184
    Abstract: An aircraft including a device for influencing the directional stability of the aircraft is provided. The device includes a control-input device; a flight control device; a sensor device for acquiring the rotation rates, including the yaw rates, of the aircraft; and at least one actuator, which is coupled with ailerons, spoilers, an elevator and a rudder. The flight control device includes a control function generating adjusting commands for the actuators for controlling the aircraft according to control commands. The aircraft includes two tail-mounted flaps, each including an actuator connected with the flight control device, situated symmetrically to each other and on opposite sides of the fuselage, and movable between retracted and extended positions. The control function is designed such that the adjusting commands that are generated on the basis of the control commands depending on the acquired rotation rates include adjusting commands to the actuators of the tail-mounted flaps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicants: AIRBUS OPERATIONS SAS, AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Carsten Weber, Markus Fischer, Arnaud Namer
  • Publication number: 20120091266
    Abstract: Systems and methods described herein provide for the control of airflow over a vertical control surface of an aircraft to enhance the forces produced by the surface. According to one aspect of the disclosure provided herein, the vertical control surface of the aircraft is engaged by active flow control actuators that interact with the ambient airflow to alter one or more characteristics of the airflow. An actuator control system detects a flow control event, and in response, activates the active flow control actuators to alter the airflow. According to various aspects, the flow control event is associated with a separation of the airflow, which is corrected through the activation of the appropriate active flow control actuators, increasing the forces produced by the vertical control surface of the aircraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventors: Edward A. Whalen, Mark I. Goldhammer