Patent GB-370892-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and connected with flying machines
IPC: B64C39/04
Filed: 1930-11-03
Abstract: 370,892. Aircraft planes; controlling. WILLOUGHBY, P. N., Cobbles, Broadstone, Dorset. Nov. 3, 1930, Nos. 33042/30 and 24503/31. [Class 4.] A flying machine comprises a main plane of normal aspect ratio to which are joined rearwardly extending lifting surfaces of small aspect ratio, the median section taken through each small lifting surface and extending to the leading edge of the main plane being a cambered aerofoil section. In one form a main plane 1 is joined by side wings 2 to a tail plane 5 provided with the usual control surfaces. The plane 1 is extended to form wing tips 3. The longitudinal and transverse sections of wings 2, Fig. 4, are made such that the centre of pressure moves in a stabilizing direction on variation of incidence and yaw and such movement may be aided by a transverse dihedral. The camber of the surfaces of the plane 1 and the tail plane 5 is graded at the points where the planes 2 sweep into them to provide a smooth juncture. According to modifications the side wings may be arranged to give a trapezoidal or substantially rectangular plan form to the machine. A single rudder 9 and fin 10 are fitted but duplicate surfaces may be employed. The invention may be applied to multi-plane aircraft. The wing tips 3 may be pivoted on transverse axes for lateral control or, alternatively, may be fitted with ailerons 4. Supplementary means of lateral control for use at large angles of incidence comprise surfaces 15, 15x of small or fractional aspect ratio which may be mounted above or below the wings and towards or beyond each wing tip. Control means are provided for moving surfaces 15, 15x similarly or differentially enabling them to be used as air brakes. The surfaces 15, 15x are pivoted about axis 16 carried by tripod frameworks 17 being so arranged as normally to have no-lift incidence but may be simultaneously adjusted through a large range negatively or positively. A control mechanism enabling control to be by ailerons 4 alone, ailerons 4 and surfaces 15, 15x combined, and surfaces 15, 15x alone is shown in Figs. 6 and 9. A control wheel 18, Fig. 6, at the upper end of a control column 26 is secured to a shaft 24 carrying pulleys 19 .. 23. The pulleys 21, 22, 23 are carried by a sleeve 34 freely rotatable on shaft 24 and fitted with control means 35. Movement of wheel 18 controls ailerons 4, Fig. 9, through cables 27, 28 wound round pulleys 19, 20. Pulleys 21, 22, 23 have hubs slotted to key with splines formed at the forward end of sleeve 34. The splines are of such a length as to key two pulleys together and leave the third, either pulley 21 or 23 according to the axial position of sleeve 34, free. Sleeve 34 is normally pressed forward by a spring 39 to key pulleys 21, 22 together whereby rotation of levers 35 causes differential operation of surfaces 15, 15x through cables 41, 43. A cable 45 passed round pulley 24 is connected to the operating cable 43 of pulley 22 but is crossed so that when pulleys 22, 23 are keyed together by rearward movement of levers 35, rotation of the levers causes similar movement of surfaces 15, 15x. An indicating arm on sleeve 34 may be arranged to actuate a device comprising a dial on the dashboard to indicate the neutral position of the surfaces when the splined sleeve may be freely engaged with either front or rear loose pulley. Means may be provided for locking the sleeve 34 in an arranged neutral position. If aileron control is not required the means may be employed to lock the spindle 24. The control surfaces 15, 15x may be rectangular or elliptic, and may be cambered or flat, and, in the case of a seaplane, they may be furnished with a keel or step to serve as floats.