Patent ID: 7578484

Claim:
An aircraft system, comprising: a deployable leading edge assembly that includes: a deployable leading edge panel that forms a gap with an airfoil when in a deployed position, wherein the deployable leading edge panel has a generally fixed-shape flow surface extending from a leading end to the gap when in the deployed position, and has the same generally fixed shape flow surface when in a stowed position; a bullnose pivotably coupled to the leading edge panel; a link mechanism coupled to the leading edge panel and the bullnose at a wing span location to move the leading edge panel between the stowed position and the deployed position, the link mechanism having: a first support link pivotably coupleable to the airfoil; a second support link pivotably coupleable to the airfoil and spaced apart from the first support link; and first, second, and third positioning links pivotably connected among the leading edge panel, the bullnose, the first support link and the second support link, wherein the positioning links are the only positioning links coupled between the support links, the leading edge panel and the bullnose at the wing span location.