Patent ID: 7338018

Claim:
An aircraft wing system, comprising: a wing having a trailing edge; a flap positioned proximate to the wing trailing edge and being deployable relative to the wing between a first flap position and a second flap position; a first actuator operatively coupled to the flap to move the flap between the first flap position and the second flap position; a spoiler positioned at least proximate to the flap, the spoiler being movable among at least three positions including a first spoiler position in which the spoiler forms a generally continuous contour with an upper surface of the wing, a second spoiler position in which the spoiler is deflected downwardly from the first spoiler position, and a third spoiler position in which the spoiler is deflected upwardly from the first spoiler position; a second actuator operatively coupled to the spoiler to move the spoiler among the first, second and third spoiler positions mechanically independently of the motion of the flap; and a controller operatively coupled to the first and second actuators, wherein the controller is configured to direct the spoiler, independently of the flap, to the first spoiler position during cruise, the second spoiler position during take-off and landing, and the third spoiler position during speed-braking and roll maneuvers.