Patent Description:
The connection assembly comprises an elongate slat track that extends along a track longitudinal axis between a front end and a rear end and has an intermediate portion between the front and rear ends. The front end of the slat track is preferably fixedly mounted to the slat, e.g. by two spherical bearings, both arranged with an offset in a wing profile plane across a wing span direction. The rear end and the intermediate portion of the slat track are movably mounted to the main wing by a roller bearing such that the slat track is movable along the track longitudinal axis, i.e. along a predefined path, preferably a circular path.

The roller bearing comprises a guide rail fixedly mounted to the main wing and a first roller unit mounted to the rear end of the slat track and engaging the guide rail. Preferably, the guide rail is formed, e.g. by a c-shape, such that its surfaces lie opposite the circumferential surface of the first roller unit, wherein the distance between an upper surface and a lower surface of the guide rail is larger than a diameter of the first roller unit, so that the first roller unit may engage only either the upper surface or the lower surface of the guide rail at the same time. , the distance between upper and lower surfaces of the guide rail is selected such that a clearance is provided between the first roller unit and either the upper surface or the lower surface of the guide rail, so that the first roller unit cannot engage with the upper and lower surfaces of the guide rail at the same time and thereby block the first roller unit. Further preferably, the first roller unit has a first axis of rotation extending in parallel to a wing span direction, to a leading edge of main wing, or to a leading edge of the slat.

The roller bearing comprises a second roller unit that is fixedly mounted to the main wing and that engages an engagement surface provided at the intermediate portion of the slat track. Preferably, the second roller unit has a second axis of rotation extending in parallel to the wing span direction, to the leading edge of main wing, or to the leading edge of the slat.

Such wings are known in the art, for example from <CIT>, where the connections assembly comprises a second roller unit composed of two roller elements engaging the slat track on opposite upper and lower surfaces. However, there is a constant need in the art to reduce size, weight and complexity of the connection assembly and, thus, of the entire wing.

<CIT> and <CIT> disclose further slat deployment mechanisms where a slat track is guided by a roller bearing.

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a possibly simple, lightweight and cost-efficient wing design.

This object is achieved in that the slat track has a profile, i.e. a cross section across the longitudinal axis, comprising an upper flange portion, a lower flange portion and at least one web portion connecting upper and lower flange portions. Such a profile might be e.g. a C-profile, a double-C-profile, an I-profile, an H-profile, or a Π-profile. The second roller unit is arranged in a recess between upper and lower flange portions and engages the engagement surface provided at the upper flange portion and/or at the lower flange portion, preferably either the upper flange portion or the lower flange portion or both flange portions in a successive manner. In such a way, the second roller unit does not occupy the space above and below the slat track, and the slat track can be held with only a single roller element. This simplifies the connection assembly, saves space and weight, and thus increases efficiency of the wing. Further, the connection assembly can be formed such that it is arranged entirely in front of the front spar of the associated wing and does not penetrate the front spar.

According to a preferred embodiment, the slat track has such a profile, in particular an I-profile or double-C-profile, that a first recess is formed between the upper and lower flange portions at a first side of the web portion, and a second recess is formed between the upper and lower flange portions at a second side of the web portion opposite the first side. In such a way, two roller elements can be received in both recesses.

In particular, it is preferred that the second roller unit comprises a first roller element and a second roller element. The first roller element is arranged in the first recess and the second roller element is arranged in the second recess. First and second roller elements are arranged coaxially, i.e. both rotating about the second axis of rotation, and have the same radius. By the first and second roller element higher loads can be absorbed and a symmetric arrangement or an arrangement with two separate load paths is enabled.

Further, it is preferred that the web portion of the slat track comprises a slot extending from the first side to the second side of the web portion and extending elongated along the track longitudinal axis. Preferably, the slot extends along the track longitudinal axis at least as long as the distance by which the slat is moved between the retracted and a fully extended position. The first roller element and the second roller element are mounted on one common shaft for common rotation. The common shaft proceeds through the slot from the first side to the second side of the web portion. Preferably, opposite ends of the common shaft are supported at the main wing. By using one common shaft to support first and second roller elements bending loads introduced in the main wing structure are minimized.

According to an alternative embodiment, the first roller element is mounted on a first shaft and the second roller element is mounted on a second shaft separate from the first shaft. Preferably, first and second shafts are independently supported at the main wing. By using separate shafts to support first and second roller elements no slot through the slat track is required.

According to a preferred embodiment, the first roller unit comprises a single third roller element, preferably mounted to the slat track by a yoke-shaped rear end of the slat track that holds the third roller element from opposite sides. Using only a single third roller element represents a very simple design.

In an alternative embodiment, the first roller unit comprises a third roller element and a fourth roller element. Third and fourth roller elements are arranged coaxially, i.e. both rotating about the first axis of rotation, and have the same radius. Preferably, the third roller element is arranged at the first side and the fourth roller element is arranged at the second side of the web portion. In such a way, a backup roller element is provided.

According to a preferred embodiment, the slat track comprises a first track part and a second track part that are formed separate from one another. Each of the first and second track parts is formed integrally and extends along the track longitudinal axis from the rear end to the front end. The first and second track parts are mounted to one another, e.g. by bolts, and rest against one another along a contact plane spanned by the track longitudinal axis and a wing thickness direction, which might be a vertical symmetry plane, preferably along the entire longitudinal extension. By the first and second track part two separate load paths are introduced which might be designed as redundant load paths such that when one load path fails the other load path is still capable of carrying the occurring air loads applied via the slat.

In particular, it is preferred that the third roller element is mounted to both the first track part and the second track part. In such a way, in case of failure of one of the first and second track parts the third roller element would still be sufficiently supported by the other one of the first and second track parts, so that this track part would still be guided by the third roller element.

Alternatively, it is preferred that the third roller element is mounted to the first track part and the fourth roller element is mounted to the second track part. In such a way, in case of failure of one of the first and second track portions the other one of the first and second track portions would still be guided by the associated one of the third and fourth rollers.

According to a preferred embodiment, the distance between the upper flange portion and the lower flange portion of the slat track is larger than a diameter of the second roller unit, such that a clearance is provided either between the second roller unit and the engagement surface at the upper flange portion, or between the second roller unit and the engagement surface at the lower flange portion. Specifically, the clearance is smaller, preferably down to a minimum, at gated locations along the slat track where the second roller unit is located when the slat is in the retracted position and/or in a fully extended position and/or in a defined partly extended position, e.g. take-off position. At the same time, the clearance is larger in areas between the gated locations. Such gated locations with minimum clearance simplify control of the slat movement between the retracted and extended positions.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the roller bearing comprises a third roller unit mounted to the main wing and engaging an upper surface of the upper flange portion of the slat track. Preferably, the third roller unit comprises one common roller element engaging both first and second track parts. Further preferably, the third roller element rotates about a third axis of rotation in parallel to the wing span direction. Further preferably, the third roller unit is arranged proximate the leading edge of the main wing and might be arranged inside the main wing, partly outside the main wing or fully outside the main wing with respect to an outer skin profile line of the main wing. By such a third roller unit additional support of the slat against the air loads is obtained.

According to yet a further preferred embodiment, the connection assembly is a first connection assembly. The wing comprises a second connection assembly connecting the slat to the main wing in a position spaces apart from the first connection assembly in a wing span direction. The second connection assembly is formed as the first connection assembly, i.e. has the same features as the first connection assembly. Alternatively, the second connections assembly might also be formed different from the first connection assembly.

A further aspect of the present invention relates to an aircraft comprising a wing according to any of the afore-described embodiments. The features and advantages mentioned in connection with the wing also apply for the aircraft.

Yet a further aspect of the present invention relates to a connection assembly according to claim <NUM>.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention are explained in more detail by means of a drawing. The drawing shows in.

In <FIG> an aircraft <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The aircraft <NUM> comprises a wing <NUM> that is formed according to an embodiment of the present invention.

<FIG> shows the wing <NUM> from <FIG> in more detail. The wing <NUM> comprises a main wing <NUM>, a slat <NUM>, and a connection assembly <NUM> movable connecting the slat <NUM> to the main wing <NUM>, such that the slat <NUM> is movable between a retracted position <NUM> and at least one extended position <NUM>, <NUM>.

The connection assembly <NUM> comprises an elongate slat track <NUM> that extends along a track longitudinal axis <NUM> between a front end <NUM> and a rear end <NUM> and has an intermediate portion <NUM> between the front and rear ends <NUM>, <NUM>. The front end <NUM> of the slat track <NUM> is fixedly mounted to the slat <NUM>. The rear end <NUM> and the intermediate portion <NUM> of the slat track <NUM> are movably mounted to the main wing <NUM> by a roller bearing <NUM> such that the slat track <NUM> is movable along the track longitudinal axis <NUM>. The roller bearing <NUM> comprises a guide rail <NUM> fixedly mounted to the main wing <NUM> and a first roller unit <NUM> fixedly mounted to the rear end <NUM> of the slat track <NUM> and engaging the guide rail <NUM>. The roller bearing <NUM> comprises a second roller unit <NUM> that is fixedly mounted to the main wing <NUM> and that engages an engagement surface <NUM> provided at the intermediate portion <NUM> of the slat track <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the slat track <NUM> has a double-C-shaped profile <NUM> comprising an upper flange portion <NUM>, a lower flange portion <NUM> and at least one web portion <NUM> connecting upper and lower flange portions <NUM>, <NUM>. The second roller unit <NUM> is arranged in a recess <NUM> between upper and lower flange portions <NUM>, <NUM> and engages the engagement surface <NUM> provided at the upper flange portion <NUM> and at the lower flange portion <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the double-C-shaped profile <NUM> of the slat track <NUM> provides that a first recess 45a is formed between the upper and lower flange portions <NUM>, <NUM> at a first side <NUM> of the web portion <NUM>, and a second recess 45b is formed between the upper and lower flange portions <NUM>, <NUM> at a second side <NUM> of the web portion <NUM> opposite the first side <NUM>. The second roller unit <NUM> comprises a first roller element <NUM> and a second roller element <NUM>. The first roller element <NUM> is arranged in the first recess 45a and the second roller element <NUM> is arranged in the second recess 45b. First and second roller elements <NUM>, <NUM> are arranged coaxially and have the same radius. The first roller element <NUM> is mounted on a first shaft <NUM> and the second roller element <NUM> is mounted on a second shaft <NUM> separate from the first shaft <NUM>. First and second shafts <NUM>, <NUM> are independently supported at the main wing <NUM>.

<FIG> show that the slat track <NUM> comprises a first track part <NUM> and a second track part <NUM> that are formed separate from one another. Each of the first and second track parts <NUM>, <NUM> is formed integrally and extends along the track longitudinal axis <NUM> from the rear end <NUM> to the front end <NUM>. The first and second track parts <NUM>, <NUM> are mounted to one another by bolts <NUM> and rest against one another along a contact plane <NUM> spanned by the track longitudinal axis <NUM> and a wing thickness direction <NUM>. As visible in <FIG>, the first roller unit <NUM> comprises a third roller element <NUM> and a fourth roller element <NUM>. Third and fourth roller elements <NUM>, <NUM> are arranged coaxially and have the same radius. The third roller element <NUM> is mounted to the first track part <NUM> and the fourth roller element <NUM> is mounted to the second track part <NUM>. Alternatively, the first roller unit <NUM> might also comprise only a single third roller element <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> show an alternative to the separate first and second shafts <NUM>, <NUM> that are independently supported at the main wing <NUM>. Here, the web portion <NUM> of the slat track <NUM> comprises a slot <NUM> extending from the first side <NUM> to the second side <NUM> of the web portion <NUM> and extending elongated along the track longitudinal axis <NUM>. The first roller element <NUM> and the second roller element <NUM> are mounted on one common shaft <NUM> for common rotation. The common shaft <NUM> proceeds through the slot <NUM> from the first side <NUM> to the second side <NUM> of the web portion <NUM>. Opposite ends 77a, 77b of the common shaft <NUM> are supported at the main wing <NUM>.

<FIG> shows an embodiment, where the distance between the upper flange portion <NUM> and the lower flange portion <NUM> of the slat track <NUM> is larger than a diameter of the second roller unit <NUM>, such that a clearance <NUM> is provided either between the second roller unit <NUM> and the engagement surface <NUM> at the upper flange portion <NUM>, or between the second roller unit <NUM> and the engagement surface <NUM> at the lower flange portion <NUM>. The clearance <NUM> is smaller at gated locations 81a, 81b, 81c along the slat track <NUM> where the second roller unit <NUM> is located when the slat <NUM> is in the retracted position <NUM> (<FIG>), in a partly extended position <NUM> (<FIG>) and in a fully extended position <NUM> (<FIG>). The clearance <NUM> is larger in areas between the gated locations 81a, 81b, 81c.

Another embodiment is shown in <FIG>, where the roller bearing <NUM> comprises a third roller unit <NUM> mounted to the main wing <NUM> and engaging an upper surface <NUM> of the upper flange portion <NUM> of the slat track <NUM>. The third roller unit <NUM> comprises one common roller element engaging both first and second track parts <NUM>, <NUM>. The third roller unit <NUM> is arranged proximate a leading edge <NUM> of the main wing <NUM> and partly outside the main wing <NUM> with respect to an outer skin profile line <NUM> of the main wing <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A wing (<NUM>) for an aircraft (<NUM>), comprising
a main wing (<NUM>),
a slat (<NUM>), and
a connection assembly (<NUM>) movably connecting the slat (<NUM>) to the main wing (<NUM>), such that the slat (<NUM>) is movable between a retracted position (<NUM>) and at least one extended position (<NUM>, <NUM>),
wherein the connection assembly (<NUM>) comprises an elongate slat track (<NUM>) that extends along a track longitudinal axis (<NUM>) between a front end (<NUM>) and a rear end (<NUM>) and has an intermediate portion (<NUM>) between the front and rear ends (<NUM>, <NUM>),
wherein the front end (<NUM>) of the slat track (<NUM>) is mounted to the slat (<NUM>),
wherein the rear end (<NUM>) and the intermediate portion (<NUM>) of the slat track (<NUM>) are mounted to the main wing (<NUM>) by a roller bearing (<NUM>) such that the slat track (<NUM>) is movable along the track longitudinal axis (<NUM>),
wherein the roller bearing (<NUM>) comprises a guide rail (<NUM>) mounted to the main wing (<NUM>) and a first roller unit (<NUM>) mounted to the rear end (<NUM>) of the slat track (<NUM>) and engaging the guide rail (<NUM>),
wherein the roller bearing (<NUM>) comprises a second roller unit (<NUM>) that is mounted to the main wing (<NUM>) and that engages an engagement surface (<NUM>) provided at the intermediate portion (<NUM>) of the slat track (<NUM>),
wherein the slat track (<NUM>) has a profile (<NUM>) comprising an upper flange portion (<NUM>), a lower flange portion (<NUM>) and at least one web portion (<NUM>) connecting upper and lower flange portions (<NUM>, <NUM>), and
wherein the second roller unit (<NUM>) is arranged in a recess (<NUM>) between upper and lower flange portions (<NUM>, <NUM>) and engages the engagement surface (<NUM>) provided at the upper flange portion (<NUM>) and/or at the lower flange portion (<NUM>).