Patent ID: 6241195
Filing Date: 2001-06-05
Classification: B64C,Y02T

Abstract:
A retractable airfoil assembly for selectively increasing the lift surface area of an aircraft of the type including a fixed wind structure comprising:a furling drum mounted on the aircraft for rotation about a longitudinal axis;a guide track disposed along the fixed wing structure;first and second flexible sails movable coupled to the guide track and wrapped one over the other in overlapping relation around the furling drum;sail drive apparatus attached to the sails for moving the sails along the guide tracks,the sail drive apparatus comprising a rotatable cable drum and a drive cable wound about the retractable cable drum, the drive cable including a first end portion and a second end portion attached to the first sail and the second sail, respectively; androtary drive apparatus coupled to the furling drum for rotating it clockwise and counterclockwise.