Patent ID: 8328134
Filing Date: 2012-12-11
Classification: B64C,Y02T

Abstract:
1. A connection element for power transmission between a flap actuator and a flap mounted at a flap leading edge in a swivelable manner on a wing of an aircraft for rotation about a flap axis, the flap having a surface area forming an upper contoured region and a surface area forming a lower contoured region relative to an uplift direction of the aircraft adjacent the flap leading edge, the flap further provided with an upper and lower surface extending between the upper and lower contoured regions and a flap trailing edge, the connection element comprising an elongated strap having: a first section for connection to the flap actuator; a second section having an elongate surface area joined to one of the upper or lower surfaces of the flap, and a flexible middle section disposed between the first and second sections, and overlying one of the upper and lower contoured regions of the flap; wherein the first, second, and middle sections of the strap are made of a fiber composite material, with the second section elongate surface firmly and directly joined to the flap in one of a friction-fit and an adhesive manner, with the middle section oriented adjacent to one of the upper and lower contoured regions in an un-joined manner so that at least a portion of the middle section cooperates with and conforms to the contoured region as the flap swivels relative to the wing of the aircraft in response to movement of the flap actuator, wherein the middle section has a trailing end which is located a significant distance in an aft direction beyond the flap axis when the flap is in a neutral horizontal position.