Patent ID: 8870125
Filing Date: 2014-10-28
Classification: B64C,Y02T

Abstract:
1. An apparatus comprising: an airfoil having upper and lower surfaces; a hinge attached to said lower surface; a deployable flap attached to said hinge and extending in a spanwise direction, said flap being rotatable about an axis of said hinge between an undeflected angular position in which said flap is aligned with said lower surface, a partially deployed angular position in which said flap is deflected at a first angle relative to said lower surface, and a fully deployed angular position in which said flap is deflected at a second angle relative to said lower surface, said second angle being greater than said first angle; and a bladder system comprising first and second bays which are individually inflatable and adjacent to each other, said first and second bays being disposed inside said airfoil between a portion of said flap and said upper surface when said flap is in said undeflected position, wherein said flap will be in said undeflected position when said first and second bays are deflated, in said partially deployed position when said first bay is inflated and said second bay is deflated, and in said fully deployed position when said first and second bays are both inflated.