Patent ID: 6247670
Filing Date: 2001-06-19
Classification: B64C,Y02T

Abstract:
An active flaperon assembly for a wing, the wing including:(a) a main wing portion providing at least one primary lift surface; and(b) a flap hingedly attached to said main wing portion such that said flap can be deployed between a normal position in which said flap provides a flap surface which is substantially a continuation of said primary lift surface and a downwardly deflected position in which said flap surface is inclined downwards relative to said primary lift surface,the active flaperon assembly comprising:(i) a sheet of flexible material deployed near an intersection between said primary lift surface and said flap surface, said sheet being mechanically linked to said flap such that, when said flap assumes said normal position, said sheet is substantially withdrawn from the air flow across said primary lift surface and said flap surface, and when said flap is deflected downwards, said sheet projects into the air flow across said primary lift surface and said flap surface, an extent of projection of said sheet varying as a function of an extent of downward deflection of said flap, and(ii) an actuator associated with said sheet and configured to generate periodic mechanical oscillations in said sheet.