The Boeing Company

Clayton A Prow

Seiya Sakurai

Douglas S Lacy

Kevin W Beyer

Neal Van Huynh

Stephen L Wells

Jan A Kordel

Stephen T Brown

Stephen John Fox

Paul W Dees

Paul T Meredith

Steven Paul Walker

Gregory M Santini

Paul M Vijgen

Jack S Noble

Michael F Fitzpatrick

Edward W Gronenthal

Gary Wright

Paul L Johnson

Russell R Christianson

Neal V Huynh

Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques for an aerodynamic surface actuation system, including: a plurality of outer tracks, wherein each outer track of the plurality of outer tracks includes: an inner outer roller channel; and an outer inner roller channel positioned above the inner outer roller channel; an aerodynamic surface connected to a carrier, wherein the carrier includes rollers configured to move within inboard inner roller channels of the plurality of outer tracks; and a plurality of fixed rollers mounted to one or more longitudinal structural elements in an aerodynamic structure, wherein the plurality of fixed rollers are disposed within the outer roller channels of the plurality of outer tracks.

Compact track arrangement for aerodynamic surfaces

Aircraft trailing edge devices, including devices with non-parallel motion paths, and associated methods are disclosed. A device in accordance with one embodiment includes a wing and an inboard trailing edge device coupled to the wing and movable relative to the wing between a first stowed position and a first deployed position along a first motion path. An outboard trailing edge device can be coupled to the wing outboard of the inboard trailing edge device, and can be movable relative to the wing along a second motion path that is non-parallel to the first motion path. An intermediate trailing edge device can be coupled between the inboard and outboard trailing edge devices and can be movable along a third motion path that is non-parallel to both the first and second motion paths. Each of the trailing edge devices can open a gap relative to the wing when moved to their respective deployed positions.

Aircraft trailing edge devices, including devices with non-parallel motion paths, and associated methods

A method and apparatus for controlling airflow with a gapped trailing edge device having a flexible flow surface. The airfoil can include a first portion having a first leading edge, a first flow surface, and a second flow surface facing opposite from the first flow surface. The airfoil can further include a second portion having a second leading edge and a trailing edge, with at least part of the second portion being positioned aft of the first portion. The second portion is moveable relative to the first portion between a first position and a second position, with the second leading edge separated from at least part of the first portion by an airflow gap when the second portion is in the second position. The second portion includes a flexible flow surface that has a first shape when the second portion is in the first position, and has a second shape different than the first shape when the second portion is in the second position.

Method and apparatus for controlling airflow with a gapped trailing edge device having a flexible flow surface

Trailing edge devices configured to carry out multiple functions, and associated methods of use and manufacture are disclosed. An external fluid flow body (e.g., an airfoil) configured in accordance with an embodiment of the invention includes a first portion and a second portion, at least a part of the second portion being positioned aft of the first portion, with the second portion being movable relative to the first portion between a neutral position, a plurality of upward positions, and a plurality of downward positions. A guide structure can be coupled between the first and second portions, and an actuator can be operatively coupled between the first and second portions to move the second portion relative to the first portion. In one embodiment, a flexible surface can track the motion of the second portion and can expose a gap at some positions. In another embodiment, a controller can be coupled to the actuator and can be configured to direct the actuator to move the second portion to a high lift setting, a high drag setting, a roll setting, and a trim setting. In yet another embodiment, trailing edge devices on an airfoil can have scaled, mechanically similar guide structures.

Multi-function trailing edge devices and associated methods

An airfoil assembly, such as a wing or horizontal stabilizer, has a gapped trailing-edge control surface and a door connected to the control surface by a linkage such that deflection of the control surface in one direction causes the door to pivot, thus opening an air flow slot for air to flow through. The air flow slot begins to open immediately with deflection of the control surface from its nominal position, thus establishing a desirable level of air flow to suppress separation on the control surface. The linkage connecting the control surface to the door is free of rolling or sliding elements, consisting exclusively of members pivotally connected to one another.

Gapped trailing-edge control surface for an airfoil

Growing community of inventors

Everett, WA, United States of America

Clayton A Prow