Patent ID: 6199796
Filing Date: 2001-03-13
Classification: B64C

Abstract:
A pneumatic wing for an aircraft, to be filled with compressed air, with a leading edge (4) and a trailing edge (5) which comprises an airtight, textile envelope (8), divided into an airtight upper skin (1) forming the upper covering of the wing and an airtight lower skin (2) forming the lower covering of the wing and a plurality of textile webs (3) joining the upper skin (1) and the lower skin (2), characterised in that:the webs (3) extend longitudinally of the wing and are spaced apart across the wing in the direction of air flow dividing the wing into longitudinal cells, the webs (3) being secured with the upper skin (1) and the lower skin (2) along longitudinal lines of attachment so that forces generated by the interplay of tensile stress and pressure tensors in the webs (3) and the upper skin (1) and the lower skin (2) give the wing the intended shape; and the wing including air tight cells adapted to change the configuration of the wing to include a form selected from the group consisting of an aileron, a landing flap, and the height and the shape of the wing.