Patent ID: 7918421
Filing Date: 2011-04-05
Classification: B64C

Abstract:
1. An airfoil configured as part of a wing of an aircraft, the wing having a wing surface, a wing span direction and a wing depth transverse to the wing span direction, the airfoil having a variable profile shape, a first end, and a second end, the airfoil comprising: a first skin positioned and configured as part of the wing surface to interact directly with outside airflow on the wing during flight; a second skin positioned and configured as part of the wing surface to interact directly with outside airflow on the wing during flight; and a supporting structure positioned above the second skin and having a length in a direction of the wing depth between the first end and the second end, the supporting structure comprising: a plurality of pairs of ribs positioned in a v-shaped formation such that each rib of each pair of ribs comprises a major surface having a longest side extending in the wing span direction of the wing and such that a portion of the first skin connects open arms of the v-shaped formation and forms a third side of a triangular structure; each triangular structure positioned successively along the length of the supporting structure such that a bottom of the v-shaped formation comprises a second connection position connected to the second skin; and a drive device including drive elements positioned and configured to vary a profile shape of the airfoil by varying a spacing between adjacent second connection positions.