Patent GB-399048-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to aeroplanes having surfaces variable during flight
IPC: B64C3/54
Filed: 1932-12-07
Abstract: 399,048. Aeroplane wings. GERIN, J., 24, Rue de la Tourelle, Boulogne-sur- Seine, France. Dec. 7, 1932, No. 34724. Convention date, Dec. 9, 1931. [Class 4.] In an aeroplane having means for varying the lifting surface comprising a series of ribs connected by a flexible covering adapted to be extended along a fixed supporting plane, the ribs have pivoted portions which are moved to increase the camber of the surface as they engage the fixed plane but assume alignment to facilitate rolling up on drums in the fuselage as the ribs leave the fixed plane. The ribs comprise central portions 1 embracing one side of the fixed plane 2 and provided with rollers 7 engaging the leading and trailing edges of the fixed plane and with rollers 5, 8 engaging the surfaces of the fixed plane. Front portions 3 are hinged at 4 to the central portions 1, the rollers 8 being mounted on the rear ends of the hinged portions so that as the rollers 8 engage the plane 1 the portions 3 are moved from the position shown in dotted lines to that shown in full lines. The ribs are connected together by jointed links 9, 10, 11. The ribs of the trailing portion of the extended surface may be integral with the central portions 1 or they may be hinged similarly to the portions 3. The rear sections may also have spring - controlled hinged sections to enable the camber to be reduced automatically as the air pressure increases and in some cases the extreme rear portions may become ultimately upturned by cable connections to the first rear sections. For withdrawing and extending the movable surfaces, cables 43, Fig. 15, are attached to projections moving in slots in the fixed plane, the slots being normally closed by the cables which have flat portions. The cables 43 are wound on drums 42 and similar cables and the flexible wings themselves are wound on drums 26, the two sets of drums being driven alternately by one-way clutches from a reversible motor 27. Both drums have permanent brakes to keep the cables taut. The cables are so connected to pivoted end vanes 45, Fig. 12, pivoted on vertical pins 44 that the vanes are presented at an angle to the relative wind to assist the outward and inward movements of the surfaces. When fully extended the vanes 45 are parallel to the line of flight but they may be controlled to act as balancing rudders to counteract unequal engine thrust. These vanes also cover the opening in the fuselage when the movable surfaces are retracted. A seaplane is described having wing tip floats secured to the retractable surfaces, the floats fitting within a step in the lower surface of the fuselage when the surfaces are retracted. Fig. 6 shows an aileron mounted on the end of the fixed wing. It is pivoted about a shaft 63 and is turned by bevel gear 70, 71 moved by cables or chains connected to a pulley or pinion 67. Flexible inserts 72 are provided between the aileron and the fixed wing to provide a continuous edge along which the pulleys 7 of the movable ribs can run even when the aileron is tilted. The ends of the movable surface tilt with the aileron. Two devices for locking the member 3 in its position giving maximum camber are described, the locking and unlocking taking place as the ribs engage and disengage the fixed plane. For stiffening the movable surfaces when extended, steel ribbons 86a, 87a, Fig. 21, are enclosed by hinge members pivoted together by a cable 24a. The ribbon 86a is continuous and is secured to the members 1 by brackets, but the ribbon 87a is in sections extending between adjacent ribs, each section having end plates 89 with slots 90 engaged by pins 91 on the members 3, so that the ribbon 87a is moved from a position in the same plane as the ribbon 86a to a position at right-angles to it, as shown, during the extension of the surface.