Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for countering asymmetrical aerodynamic forces subjected onto an aircraft. Asymmetrical forces are counteracted by this invention automatically by selectively actuating force inducing elements in response detection of one of (a) differential longitudinal forces induced upon the aircraft by the engines and (b) undesirable rotation of the aircraft about longitudinal axis "c" of the aircraft. The force inducing elements of this invention function independent of primary control elements and other control surfaces of the aircraft.

Abstract: An automatic flap that uses on each wing two adjacent fins, one of which is smaller and is located on the middle or front of the wing, the other, which is larger, on the bottom rear of the wing, with a shaft in the common eccentric zone linking the two fins, said shaft being parallel to the axis of the wing, having the fins different resistance to the ram air, creating a rotation torque as a function of the aircraft's speed, when retracted, they are shaped so that the front or top fin adapts to the upper surface of the wing and the rear or bottom fin adapts to the lower surface so that, together with the wing, they form an aerodynamic profile, there are attachment arms between the two fins, and bands or springs to assist or complement the action of the smaller fin whose resistance is such that, at low speed, the flap remains extended.

Abstract: Arcs of segmented spoilers generate a ring on intake airfoil surface of cantilever-suspended jet engines. Strain and temperature sensors on sides of a cantilever connecting structure feed data to a stress-limiting computer whose output communicates with actuator motors of spoiler segments. This stress-feedback network selects and actuates segmented spoiler surfaces to release radial forces that normally are balanced within the engine intake zone. The stress-limiting computer also takes autopilot data of anticipated attitude change patterns and forecasts anticipated strain patterns of an aircraft. An output communication is integrated with an electric power conditioning that actuates motors to position the segmented spoiler barriers.

Abstract: Spoilers, mounted on vertical stabilizer tail surfaces of large aircraft release controllable Bernoulli forces to augment rudder and aileron aircraft controls. Data from surface pressure sensors, also mounted on vertical stabilizer tail surface, is computer-interpreted to minimize tail drag and structural flight-stress. The spoilers suitable for this role include parallel lines of controllable height barriers, located on the fore part of each side of symmetrical airfoils of airplane tails.

Abstract: A pitch control system for an aircraft flying at a Mach number greater than 0.7 and including a horizontal plane that is adjustable in deflection and air brakes having a nose-down effect. According to the invention, the system comprises:first means providing the aerodynamic incidence (.alpha.) of said aircraft at each instant;second means for generating a nose-down first command (.DELTA.iHC) for said adjustable horizontal plane when said aerodynamic incidence is greater than said first threshold (.alpha.0), the amplitude of said first command being such that if said adjustable horizontal plane were to take up the corresponding position instantaneously, it would compensate the increase in the nose-up effect on said aircraft due to the way in which said aerodynamic pitching couple varies above said first threshold;third means for generating a signal (.DELTA.

Abstract: Aileron-supported split flaps and ground speed spoilers (collectively referred to as "aerodynamic lifting or braking devices") for reducing aircraft approach speeds and reducing the length of the runway needed to land the aircraft. The actuating mechanism for the aerodynamic lifting or braking device allows the latter to rotate with the supporting aileron as the latter is moved up and down when the lifting or braking device is in its stowed position. When the lifting or braking device is in its extended position, up and down aileron movements will cause the aerodynamic lifting or braking device to translate to and fro, but the lifting or braking device will remain in the extended position, irrespective of aileron movement. Hydraulic and torque tube systems can be used to deflect the aerodynamic lifting or braking device which completes the aerodynamic profile of the supporting aileron when that device is in its stowed position.

Abstract: A spoileron control mechanism is shown which provides for separate or simultaneous braking and rolling of the aircraft through operation of spoilers located on the wings. The control mechanism includes a base to which is mounted two pivot brackets 2. Pivotally mounted to the base are two bell cranks 3 to which are connected via cables 15 to the spoiler. The bell cranks are pivoted in a scissors like fashion by connection via arms 7 to slotted plates 5 that are also pivoted side to side by a control stick 13 which causes the bell cranks to operate the spoilers in a differential fashion for roll control. The bell cranks are further actuated by a lever 10 which causes a cam bar 8 to act on the arms 7 pivoting the bell cranks and causing the spoilers to be actuated simultaneously for braking of the aircraft.

Abstract: A flying wing aircraft control for angle of attack and direction thereof, comprising retractile controlling surfaces rearward of the center of lift and along the trailing edges and extensible over the top and bottom cambers of the wing in spaced relation to the trailing portions thereof and with variable angular dispositions with respect to air flow over the cambers so as to establish the desired moment arm with respect to the lift center of the flying wing to control the same into and out of a nose-up attitude with respect to the line of flight and with respect to direction, as required.

Abstract: A yaw control arrangement for tailless aircraft utilizing a plurality of rudder-like surfaces which are normally retracted into the surface of an aircraft wing and extended only momentarily on demand to generate a yawing moment. The surfaces are mounted on a wing surface by hinges which are canted with respect to the free stream flow. In this manner, the extended deployed surfaces are given an angle of attack to the free stream flow to produce a lift force at essentially right angles to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft.

Abstract: A method and structure for selectively conducting pressurized gas flow over the upper surface of an airfoil, the airflow being selectively directable either rearward through a spanwise outlet to produce thrust and augment lift or, alternatively, directed forward to spoil the aerodynamic flow over the wing to diminish lift and provide a reverse-thrust braking. The structure includes a plenum defined in the airfoil and ducting to receive pressurized air or gas, the plenum being defined in part by a panel longitudinally pivoted at the central portion thereof to, preferably, change the area of a rearward directed opening while concurrently and proportionally changing in the opposite sense the area of a forward oriented opening to selectively direct the pressurized air or gas rearwardly, forwardly, or in combinations of openings while preferably maintaining a substantially constant opening area.

Abstract: An aircraft spoiler control system wherein each of a plurality of spoilers is driven by an electrically responsive actuator. Sense signals representative of the aircraft's control wheel rotation, speedbrake lever deflection, flap position and air/ground status are processed by logic which produces a corresponding control signal for each actuator. Fault detection circuitry switches in a back-up actuator control signal if a fault occurs in the active control circuit.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for rolling control of an airplane by means of spoilers mounted at lift surfaces, which comprises subdividing the entire control range into a plurality of firmly graduated and successively adjustable control steps, and adjusting the individual control steps by means of a series of different partial spoiler surfaces actuatable in dependence upon each other either individually or in combination. The invention also relates to an apparatus for performing the method.

Abstract: The apparatus operates to prevent the rolling of an aircraft having an even number of propulsion units when one of the propulsion units stops operating due to a breakdown. Spoilers are mounted on the outboard wings. Each spoiler has an individual drive connected to a power circuit via a control valve which, in turn, is functionally associated with a failure detector of the propulsion unit disposed on the outboard wing opposite to that on which the respective spoiler is mounted. The apparatus is provided with an apparatus that is brought into action automatically, so as to counteract the rolling tendency of an aircraft when one of its propulsion units fails, or with a manual control for correcting the glidepath during landing, dissipating the lift and applying the aerodynamic braking during the landing roll.

Abstract: Control system for aircraft wing spoilers in which the amount of centering moment provided by the downwardly moving or aerodynamically inactive spoiler is increased as the aircraft flaps are extended, the control system including a differential linkage mechanism interconnecting the flaps and the spoiler actuating mechanism. In effect different schedules of spoiler motion in response to cockpit control inputs are generated with wing flaps in different positions.

Abstract: A target aircraft adapted to be towed by an airplane, comprising a fuselage, a tail assembly, two pairs of wings mounted on the fuselage in a cross-like configuration, spoilers mounted in each of the wings, and electromagnets for actuating the spoilers.