Patent Description:
The prior art is illustrated by document <CIT>.

The wing component might be a wing, wherein the leading edge part might be a main wing and the trailing edge part might be an aileron, a spoiler, or a trailing edge flap. Alternatively, the wing component might be a wing comprising a main wing and a trailing edge high lift assembly including a flap, wherein the leading edge part is a main flap part and the trailing edge part is a tab pivotably mounted to the trailing edge of the main flap part. As a further alternative, the wing component might be a trailing edge flap, i.e. a flap of a trailing edge high lift assembly, wherein the leading edge part is a main flap part and the trailing edge part is a tab pivotably mounted to the trailing edge of the main flap part. As a further alternative, the wing component might be a foldable wing tip configured for being pivotably mounted to a main wing, wherein the leading edge part is a main wing tip part and the trailing edge part is a tab pivotably mounted to the trailing edge of the main wing tip part. Further applications of the wing component are possible.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the wing component is a wing comprising a main wing and a trailing edge high lift assembly. The trailing edge high lift assembly is movably arranged at a trailing edge of the main wing and comprises a flap and a connection assembly. The connection assembly movably mounts the flap to the main wing, such that the flap is movable relative to the main wing between a retracted position with a reduced chord length and/or curvature of the wing, and at least one extended position with an extended chord length and/or curvature of the wing. The connection assembly preferably comprises an actuation system, e.g. including a rotary motor or a linear motor, for moving the flap between the retracted position and the at least one extended position. The flap comprises the leading edge part, in particular formed as a main flap part, comprising the leading edge of the flap, and the trailing edge part, in particular formed as a tab, comprising the trailing edge of the flap and mounted to the leading edge part, in particular to the trailing edge of the leading edge part, in a manner pivotable about a pivot axis preferably extending in a span direction. The trailing edge high lift assembly comprises the actuator unit configured for moving the trailing edge part relative to the leading edge part about the pivot axis. The actuator unit might be part of the actuation system for moving the flap between the retracted position and the at least one extended position, or might be separate from the actuation system. The flap comprises the damper device configured for damping uncontrolled movement between the leading edge part and the trailing edge part, e.g. in case of a failure of the actuator unit.

Similar wing components are known in the art. Some known wings comprise a trailing edge high lift assembly having a flap that is movable relative to the main wing in a rotational manner, e.g. by the flap being fixedly mounted on a lever that is rotatably mounted to the trailing edge of the main wing and that is driven by a drive strut mounted to a rotating drive arm. Other known wings have a trailing edge high lift assembly with a flap that is movable relative to the main wing in a combined linear and rotational manner, e.g. by the flap being rotatably mounted on a carriage running along a linear guide rail while the flap is driven by a drive strut mounted to a rotating drive arm, so that the flap carries out a coupled linear and rotational motion. Such trailing edge high lift assemblies are designed to be deployed during take-off and landing of an aircraft to increase lift and reduce minimum air speed by increasing wing area, curvature, and angle of attack, and to be retracted during cruise flight when air speed is high to reduce drag.

More recent investigations have shown that it might be advantageous to have a morphing wing that might adjust wing area, curvature, and angle of attack during the entire flight, e.g. as a "real-time" response to gust or to optimise lift, drag and structural loading during the flight. This can be achieved by the two-part flap comprising leading edge part and trailing edge part which can be moved relative to one another as required.

To avoid uncontrolled flutter movement of the trailing edge part relative to the leading edge part of the flap in case of failure of the actuator unit, the damper device is provided. A straightforward solution would be to include the damper device into the load path of the actuator unit. However, in this way failure of the actuator unit might also affect operation of the damper. Further, a damper device combined with the actuator unit requires essential space at the flap that might not be available in any case.

The object of the invention is to provide a wing component comprising a trailing edge high lift assembly having a more efficient, failure-tolerant and space-efficient damper device.

This object is achieved in that the trailing edge part comprises a first part portion and a second part portion that are formed separately, arranged next to each other in a span direction and configured to pivot about the pivot axis individually, preferably independently from one another. The pivot axis is preferably one common, coaxial axis about which both the first part portion and the second part portion pivots. However, it is also possible that the pivot axis is different for the first part portion and the second part portion, so that the part of the pivot axis about which the first part portion pivots is not coaxial with the part of the pivot axis about which the second part portion pivots. Preferably, the actuator unit comprises a first actuator element and a second actuator element, wherein the first actuator element is coupled between the first part portion and the leading edge part for moving the first part portion relative to the leading edge part, and wherein the second actuator element is coupled between the second part portion and the leading edge part for moving the second part portion relative to the leading edge part. The damper device comprises a damping element coupled between the first part portion and the second part portion to damp relative movement of the first part portion and the second part portion about the pivot axis. This means, when the first part portion and the second part portion are moved synchronously, no damping occurs as no relative movement between the first part portion and the second part portion occurs. However, when the first part portion and the second part portion move in an asynchronous way, as would be the case during uncontrolled flutter of the first part portion and/or the second part portion caused e.g. by a failure of the actuator unit, in particular of the first actuator element and/or of the second actuator element, the damping element causes a damping effect with respect to said asynchronous movement.

Such a damper device introducing a relative damping between the first and second part portions will not be affected by failure of the actuator unit and is thus very failure-tolerant. Further, the damper device does not require much space and its position does not depend on the actuator unit, so it can be formed in a very space-efficient way. Additionally, by the connection of the first and second part portions through the damping element, in case of failure of one of the first and second actuator elements, the respective first or second part portion related to the failing first or second actuator element can be moved through the other one of the first and second part portions and the associated still-operating first or second actuator element.

According to a preferred embodiment, the damper device comprises a first linkage and/or a second linkage preferably arranged next to the first linkage in the span direction. The first linkage is coupled between the first part portion and the damping element, and the first linkage is preferably configured to translate a pivot movement of the first part portion into a linear movement of the damping element, preferably in the span direction. Additionally or alternatively, the second linkage is coupled between the second part portion and the damping element, and the second linkage is preferably configured to translate a pivot movement of the second part portion into a linear movement of the damping element, preferably in the span direction or at least in the same direction as the linear movement of the damping element caused by the first linkage. Such first and second linkages represent an efficient way of translating pivot movement of the first and second part portions into linear spanwise movement of the damping element and thus allow a linear damping element to be employed as well as a simple and symmetric arrangement of the damper device.

In particular, it is preferred that the first linkage comprises a first link mounted to the first part portion in a way rotatable about a first link axis spaced apart from the pivot axis, preferably in parallel to the pivot axis. Additionally or alternatively, the second linkage comprises a second link mounted to the second part portion in a way rotatable about a second link axis spaced apart from the pivot axis, preferably in parallel to the pivot axis. In such a way, a very efficient linkage is formed.

It is further preferred that the first linkage comprises a first deflector element mounted to the leading edge part in a way rotatable about a first deflector axis, wherein the first deflector axis extends transversely, preferably perpendicularly, to the pivot axis. The first deflector element is configured to deflect a direction of linear movement and might be formed as e.g. a rocker element, a wheel, or a disc. The first link is mounted to the first deflector element in a way rotatable about a first input axis spaced apart from the first deflector axis, preferably in parallel to the first deflector axis. Additionally or alternatively, the second linkage comprises a second deflector element mounted to the leading edge part in a way rotatable about a second deflector axis, wherein the second deflector axis extends transversely, preferably perpendicularly, to the pivot axis. The second deflector element is configured to deflect a direction of linear movement and might be formed as e.g. a rocker element, a wheel, or a disc. The second link is mounted to the second deflector element in a way rotatable about a second input axis spaced apart from the second deflector axis, preferably in parallel to the second deflector axis. In such a way, a very efficient linkage is formed.

It is also preferred that the damping element has a first coupling end, preferably in the form of a rod, and an opposite second coupling end, preferably in the form of a rod. The damping element is configured to damp relative linear movement of the first coupling end and the second coupling end. In such a way, a very simple and efficient damper device is formed.

It is further preferred that the first coupling end is mounted to the first deflector element in a way rotatable about a first output axis spaced apart from the first deflector axis and from the first input axis, preferably in parallel to the first deflector axis and the first input axis. Additionally or alternatively, the second coupling end is mounted to the second deflector element in a way rotatable about a second output axis spaced apart from the second deflector axis and from the second input axis, preferably in parallel to the second deflector axis and the second input axis. Preferably, the first coupling end is mounted to the first deflector element and the second coupling end is mounted to the second deflector element in such a way that the damping element between the first and second coupling ends extends in the span direction. In such a way, a very simple and efficient damper device is formed.

According to a preferred embodiment, the trailing edge part comprises a third part portion formed separately from the first and second part portions, arranged next to the second part portion in the span direction and configured to pivot about the pivot axis individually, preferably independently from the first and second part portions. The damping element is a first damping element and the damper device comprises a second damping element coupled between the second part portion and the third part portion to damp relative movement of the second part portion and the third part portion.

In particular, it is preferred that the damper device comprises a third linkage, preferably arranged next to the second linkage in the span direction. The third linkage is coupled between the third part portion and the second damping element, and the third linkage is preferably configured to translate a pivot movement of the third part portion into a linear movement of the second damping element, preferably in the span direction or at least in the same direction as the linear movement of the second damping element caused by the second linkage. In such a way, a chain of interconnected damping elements and respective linkages are formed. More than three part portions and respective linkages are also possible.

It is also preferred that the third linkage comprises a third link mounted to the third part portion in a way rotatable about a third link axis spaced apart from the pivot axis and preferably in parallel to the pivot axis. In such a way, a very simple and efficient linkage is formed.

It is further preferred that the third linkage comprises a third deflector element mounted to the leading edge part in a way rotatable about a third deflector axis, wherein the third deflector axis extends transversely, preferably perpendicularly, to the pivot axis. The third deflector element is configured to deflect a direction of linear movement and might be formed as e.g. a rocker element, a wheel, or a disc. The third link is mounted to the third deflector element in a way rotatable about a third input axis spaced apart from the third deflector axis and preferably in parallel to the third deflector axis. In such a way, a very simple and efficient linkage is formed.

It is further preferred that the second damping element has a first coupling end, preferably in the form of a rod, and an opposite second coupling end, preferably in the form of a rod. The second damping element is configured to damp relative linear movement of its first coupling end and its second coupling end. In such a way, a very simple and efficient damper device is formed.

It is further preferred that the first coupling end of the second damping element is mounted to the second deflector element in a way rotatable about the second output axis or about a further output axis spaced apart from the second deflector axis and from the second input axis, preferably in parallel to the second deflector axis and the second input axis. Additionally or alternatively, the second coupling end of the second damping element is mounted to the third deflector element in a way rotatable about a third output axis spaced apart from the third deflector axis and from the third input axis, preferably in parallel to the third deflector axis and the third input axis. Preferably, the first coupling end of the second damping element is mounted to the second deflector element and the second coupling end of the second damping element is mounted to the third deflector element in such a way that the second damping element between the first and second coupling ends extends in the span direction and preferably coaxial to the first damping element. In such a way, a very simple and efficient damper device is formed.

According to a preferred embodiment, the damping element, in particular the first damping element and/or the second damping element, is formed as a velocity-dependent damping element having a damping characteristic with essentially higher damping effect for high velocity motion of the first, second and/or third part portions, as would be the case for instable flutter of the first, second and/or third part portions, and essentially lower or no damping effect for low velocity motion of the first, second and/or third part portions, as would be the case for controlled movement of the first, second and/or third part portions, e.g. for gust response. By such a velocity-dependent damping element uncontrolled flutter can be damped while the trailing edge part and its first, second, and/or third part portions, respectively, can be used to control the wing and the associated aircraft about its axes.

According to a preferred embodiment, the wing component is a wing comprising a main wing and a trailing edge high lift assembly movably arranged at a trailing edge of the main wing. The trailing edge high lift assembly comprises a flap and a connection assembly for movably mounting the flap to the main wing, such that the flap is movable between a retracted position and at least one extended position. The flap comprises the leading edge part and the trailing edge part mounted to the leading edge part in a manner pivotable about the pivot axis. Such a wing represents a very useful application of the present invention.

A further aspect of the present invention relates to an aircraft comprising the wing component according to any of the embodiments explained above. The features and effects explained above in connection with the wing component apply vis-à-vis also to the aircraft.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is described in more detail by means of a drawing. The drawing shows in.

<FIG> shows an exemplary aircraft <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present invention. The aircraft <NUM> comprises a wing component <NUM> in the form of a wing including a main wing <NUM> mounted to a fuselage <NUM>, and a trailing edge high lift assembly <NUM> including a flap <NUM> movably mounted to the main wing <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate an embodiment of the wing component <NUM> of the aircraft <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The wing component <NUM> comprises a main wing <NUM> and a trailing edge high lift assembly <NUM>. The trailing edge high lift assembly <NUM> is movably arranged at a trailing edge of the main wing <NUM> and comprises a flap <NUM> and a connection assembly <NUM>. The connection assembly <NUM> movably mounts the flap <NUM> to the main wing <NUM>, such that the flap <NUM> is movable between a retracted position with a reduced chord length and curvature of the wing component <NUM>, and at least one extended position with an extended chord length and curvature of the wing component <NUM>. The flap <NUM> is mounted to the main wing <NUM> in a manner rotatable about a flap rotation axis <NUM>, wherein the flap rotation axis <NUM> is located outside the flap profile spaced apart from the flap <NUM> by a flap lever arm <NUM>. The flap lever arm <NUM> is mounted to the main wing <NUM> via a rib <NUM> that projects downwards from the lower side of the main wing <NUM> and that is mounted to the lever arm <NUM> rotatably via the flap rotation axis <NUM>. The flap <NUM> comprises a leading edge part <NUM> including the leading edge <NUM> of the flap <NUM>, and a trailing edge part <NUM> including the trailing edge <NUM> of the flap <NUM> and mounted to the leading edge part <NUM> in a manner pivotable about a pivot axis <NUM> extending in a span direction <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the connection assembly <NUM> comprises an actuation system <NUM>, e.g. including a rotary motor or a linear motor, for moving the flap <NUM> relative to the main wing <NUM> between the retracted position and the at least one extended position. Further, the trailing edge high lift assembly <NUM> comprises an actuator unit <NUM>, e.g. including a rotary motor or a linear motor, configured for moving the trailing edge part <NUM> relative to the leading edge part <NUM> about the pivot axis <NUM>, see <FIG> and <FIG>. The actuator unit <NUM> in the present embodiment is formed separately from the actuation system <NUM>, as indicated in <FIG>. The flap <NUM> comprises a damper device <NUM> configured for damping uncontrolled movement between the leading edge part <NUM> and the trailing edge part <NUM>, e.g. in case of a failure of the actuator unit <NUM>, see <FIG> and <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, the trailing edge part <NUM> comprises a first part portion <NUM> and a second part portion <NUM> that are formed separately, arranged next to each other in a span direction <NUM> and configured to pivot about the pivot axis <NUM> individually, i.e. independently from one another. The actuator unit <NUM> comprises a first actuator element <NUM> and a second actuator element <NUM>, wherein the first actuator element <NUM> is coupled between the first part portion <NUM> and the leading edge part <NUM> for moving the first part portion <NUM> relative to the leading edge part <NUM>, and wherein the second actuator element <NUM> is coupled between the second part portion <NUM> and the leading edge part <NUM> for moving the second part portion <NUM> relative to the leading edge part <NUM>. The damper device <NUM> comprises a damping element <NUM> coupled between the first part portion <NUM> and the second part portion <NUM> to damp relative movement of the first part portion <NUM> and the second part portion <NUM> about the pivot axis <NUM>. This means, when the first part portion <NUM> and the second part portion <NUM> are moved synchronously, no damping occurs as no relative movement between the first part portion <NUM> and the second part portion <NUM> occurs. However, when the first part portion <NUM> and the second part portion <NUM> move in an asynchronous way, as would be the case during uncontrolled flutter of the first part portion <NUM> and/or the second part portion <NUM> caused e.g. by a failure of the actuator unit <NUM>, in particular of the first actuator element <NUM> and/or of the second actuator element <NUM>, the damping element <NUM> causes a damping effect with respect to said asynchronous movement.

The damper device <NUM> comprises a first linkage <NUM> and a second linkage <NUM> arranged next to the first linkage <NUM> in the span direction <NUM>. The first linkage <NUM> is coupled between the first part portion <NUM> and the damping element <NUM>, and the first linkage <NUM> is configured to translate a pivot movement of the first part portion <NUM> into a linear movement of the damping element <NUM> in the span direction <NUM>. Additionally, the second linkage <NUM> is coupled between the second part portion <NUM> and the damping element <NUM>, and the second linkage <NUM> is configured to translate a pivot movement of the second part portion <NUM> into a linear movement of the damping element <NUM> in the span direction <NUM>.

The first linkage <NUM> comprises a first link <NUM> mounted to the first part portion <NUM> in a way rotatable about a first link axis <NUM> spaced apart from the pivot axis <NUM> in parallel to the pivot axis <NUM>. Additionally, the second linkage <NUM> comprises a second link <NUM> mounted to the second part portion <NUM> in a way rotatable about a second link axis <NUM> spaced apart from the pivot axis <NUM> in parallel to the pivot axis <NUM>.

The first linkage <NUM> comprises a first deflector element <NUM> mounted to the leading edge part <NUM> in a way rotatable about a first deflector axis <NUM>, wherein the first deflector axis <NUM> extends perpendicularly to the pivot axis <NUM>. The first deflector element <NUM> is configured to deflect a direction of linear movement and in the present embodiment is formed as a rocker element. The first link <NUM> is mounted to the first deflector element <NUM> in a way rotatable about a first input axis <NUM> spaced apart from the first deflector axis <NUM> in parallel to the first deflector axis <NUM>. Additionally, the second linkage <NUM> comprises a second deflector element <NUM> mounted to the leading edge part <NUM> in a way rotatable about a second deflector axis <NUM>, wherein the second deflector axis <NUM> extends perpendicularly to the pivot axis <NUM>. The second deflector element <NUM> is configured to deflect a direction of linear movement and in the present embodiment is formed as a rocker element. The second link <NUM> is mounted to the second deflector element <NUM> in a way rotatable about a second input axis <NUM> spaced apart from the second deflector axis <NUM> in parallel to the second deflector axis <NUM>.

The damping element <NUM> has a first coupling end <NUM> in the form of a rod, and an opposite second coupling end <NUM> in the form of a rod. The damping element <NUM> is configured to damp relative linear movement of the first coupling end <NUM> and the second coupling end <NUM>.

The first coupling end <NUM> is mounted to the first deflector element <NUM> in a way rotatable about a first output axis <NUM> spaced apart from the first deflector axis <NUM> and from the first input axis <NUM> in parallel to the first deflector axis <NUM> and the first input axis <NUM>. Additionally, the second coupling end <NUM> is mounted to the second deflector element <NUM> in a way rotatable about a second output axis <NUM> spaced apart from the second deflector axis <NUM> and from the second input axis <NUM> in parallel to the second deflector axis <NUM> and the second input axis <NUM>. The first coupling end <NUM> is mounted to the first deflector element <NUM> and the second coupling end <NUM> is mounted to the second deflector element <NUM> in such a way that the damping element <NUM> between the first and second coupling ends <NUM>, <NUM> extends in the span direction <NUM>.

The trailing edge part <NUM> comprises a third part portion <NUM> formed separately from the first and second part portions <NUM>, <NUM>, arranged next to the second part portion <NUM> in the span direction <NUM> and configured to pivot about the pivot axis <NUM> individually, i.e. independently from the first and second part portions <NUM>, <NUM>. The damping element <NUM> is a first damping element and the damper device <NUM> comprises a second damping element <NUM> coupled between the second part portion <NUM> and the third part portion <NUM> to damp relative movement of the second part portion <NUM> and the third part portion <NUM>.

The damper device <NUM> comprises a third linkage <NUM> arranged next to the second linkage <NUM> in the span direction <NUM>. The third linkage <NUM> is coupled between the third part portion <NUM> and the second damping element <NUM>, and the third linkage <NUM> is configured to translate a pivot movement of the third part portion <NUM> into a linear movement of the second damping element <NUM> in the span direction <NUM>.

The third linkage <NUM> comprises a third link <NUM> mounted to the third part portion <NUM> in a way rotatable about a third link axis <NUM> spaced apart from the pivot axis <NUM> and in parallel to the pivot axis <NUM>.

The third linkage <NUM> comprises a third deflector element <NUM> mounted to the leading edge part <NUM> in a way rotatable about a third deflector axis <NUM>, wherein the third deflector axis <NUM> extends perpendicularly to the pivot axis <NUM>. The third deflector element <NUM> is configured to deflect a direction of linear movement and in the present embodiment is formed as a rocker element. The third link <NUM> is mounted to the third deflector element <NUM> in a way rotatable about a third input axis <NUM> spaced apart from the third deflector axis <NUM> and in parallel to the third deflector axis <NUM>.

The second damping element <NUM> has a first coupling end <NUM> in the form of a rod, and an opposite second coupling end <NUM> in the form of a rod. The second damping element <NUM> is configured to damp relative linear movement of its first coupling end <NUM> and its second coupling end <NUM>.

The first coupling end <NUM> of the second damping element <NUM> is mounted to the second deflector element <NUM> in a way rotatable about the second output axis <NUM>. Additionally, the second coupling end <NUM> of the second damping element <NUM> is mounted to the third deflector element <NUM> in a way rotatable about a third output axis <NUM> spaced apart from the third deflector axis <NUM> and from the third input axis <NUM> in parallel to the third deflector axis <NUM> and the third input axis <NUM>. Preferably, the first coupling end <NUM> of the second damping element <NUM> is mounted to the second deflector element <NUM> and the second coupling end <NUM> of the second damping element <NUM> is mounted to the third deflector element <NUM> in such a way that the second damping element <NUM> between the first and second coupling ends <NUM>, <NUM> extends in the span direction <NUM> and coaxial with the damping element <NUM>.

The damping element <NUM> as well as the second damping element <NUM>, is formed as a velocity-dependent damping element having a damping characteristic with essentially higher damping effect for high velocity motion of the first, second and third part portions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, as would be the case for instable flutter of the first, second and third part portions <NUM>, <NUM> ,<NUM>, and essentially lower or no damping effect for low velocity motion of the first, second and third part portions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, as would be the case for controlled movement of the first, second and third part portions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, e.g. for gust response. By such a velocity-dependent damping element uncontrolled flutter can be damped while the trailing edge part <NUM> and its first, second, and third part portions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively, can be used to control the wing component <NUM> and the associated aircraft <NUM> about its axes.

Claim 1:
A wing component (<NUM>) for an aircraft (<NUM>), comprising
a leading edge part (<NUM>) and a trailing edge part (<NUM>) mounted to the leading edge part (<NUM>) in a manner pivotable about a pivot axis (<NUM>),
an actuator unit (<NUM>) configured for moving the trailing edge part (<NUM>) relative to the leading edge part (<NUM>), and
a damper device (<NUM>) configured for damping uncontrolled movement between the leading edge part (<NUM>) and the trailing edge part (<NUM>),
wherein
the trailing edge part (<NUM>) comprises a first part portion (<NUM>) and a second part portion (<NUM>) arranged next to each other in a span direction (<NUM>) and configured to pivot about the pivot axis (<NUM>) individually, characterized in that
the damper device (<NUM>) comprises a damping element (<NUM>) coupled between the first part portion (<NUM>) and the second part portion (<NUM>) to damp relative movement of the first part portion (<NUM>) and the second part portion (<NUM>).