Ball Brothers Research Corporation

Ball Brothers

Otto E Bartoe, Jr

A method and structure for selectively conducting pressurized gas flow over the upper surface of an airfoil, the airflow being selectively directable either rearward through a spanwise outlet to produce thrust and augment lift or, alternatively, directed forward to spoil the aerodynamic flow over the wing to diminish lift and provide a reverse-thrust braking. The structure includes a plenum defined in the airfoil and ducting to receive pressurized air or gas, the plenum being defined in part by a panel longitudinally pivoted at the central portion thereof to, preferably, change the area of a rearward directed opening while concurrently and proportionally changing in the opposite sense the area of a forward oriented opening to selectively direct the pressurized air or gas rearwardly, forwardly, or in combinations of openings while preferably maintaining a substantially constant opening area. Also, an outboard independent portion of each gate may optionally be interconnected to the controls to move in a progressive manner and thus provide a powerful rolling torque, particularly at low airspeeds.

Method and structure for airfoil thrust and lift control

Apparatus for providing extreme pitch trim configurations for aircraft capable of flying at low-speeds, and particularly aircraft having blown primary lift-producing surfaces. The apparatus includes a movable horizontal stabilizer to provide pitch trim and an elevator pivotally attached to the horizontal stabilizer to provide transient pitch control. Control of the elevator movement is provided by a control tube extending from a horn attached to the elevator to a bell crank member attached to the horizontal stabilizer. The bell crank is also connected to a push tube movably attached to the airframe and arranged to be aligned with the pivot axis of the horizontal stabilizer in the neutral position. Thus, the horizontal stabilizer may be pivoted around its mounting axis to provide substantial pitch trim while concurrently maintaining the range and symmetry of elevator movement.

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Boulder, CO, United States of America

Otto E Bartoe, Jr