Patent ID: 9170092
Filing Date: 2015-10-27
Classification: B64D,G01B

Abstract:
1. A system for detecting misalignment of an aero surface of a wing relative to other aero surfaces during simultaneous deployment of said aero surfaces during flight, comprising multiple generators spaced from each other along the wing, wherein each generator is configured to shine a beam of light through aligned apertures in a series of aero surfaces towards a respective reflector during deployment of said aero surfaces, multiple receptors, wherein each receptor to detect reflection of said beam of light from each reflector back through said apertures towards the respective generator and, a controller operable to terminate further deployment of said aero surfaces in the event that no reflection is detected by at least one receptor or, if an actual time taken for the reflected beam of light to be detected by at least one receptor differs from a predetermined time, and wherein the wing has leading and trailing edges lying in a first plane and, an axis that extends in substantially at right angles to said first plane, the apertures having an elongate shape extending in the direction of said axis.