Multi-function trailing edge devices and associated methods

• US 20050011994A1
• Filed: 06/03/2004
• Published: 01/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Sakurai, Seiya, Huynh, Neal V., Lacy, Douglas S., Vijgen, Paul M., Noble, Jack S., Johnson, Paul L., Prow, Clayton A., Beyer, Kevin W., Fitzpatrick, Michael F., Fox, Stephen J., Gronenthal, Edward W., Meredith, Paul T., Christianson, Russell R., Wells, Stephen L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,243,881 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 244/212
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 9/16 at the rear of the wing
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 9/20 by multiple flaps
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/30 Wing lift efficiency
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/40 Weight reduction

Abstract

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.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a first portion of an external fluid flow body having a first flow surface and a second flow surface facing opposite from the first flow surface;

a second portion of the external fluid flow body, at least part of the second portion being positioned aft of the first portion, the second portion being movable relative to the first portion between a neutral position with the second portion generally aligned with the first portion, a plurality of first positions with the second portion deflected in a first direction relative to the neutral position, and a plurality of second positions with the second portion deflected in a second direction opposite the first direction relative to the neutral position;

a flexible surface positioned proximate to the first and second portions, the flexible surface having a first shape when the second portion is in the neutral position, a second shape when the second portion is in at least one of the first positions, and a third shape when the second portion is in at least one of the second positions, a gap being positioned between the flexible surface and the second portion when the second portion is in at least one of the second positions;

a guide structure coupled between the first and second portions; and

an actuator operatively coupled between the first and second portions to move the second portion relative to the first portion.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a controller coupled to the actuator, the controller being configured to direct to the actuator to move the second portion to a high lift setting, a high drag setting, a roll setting and a trim setting.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the second portion is one of a plurality of second portions and wherein the plurality of second portions extends spanwise from a position at least proximate to an inboard extremity of the external fluid flow body to a position at least proximate to an outboard extremity of the external fluid flow body.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the second portion is one of from five to ten second portions, each being movable relative to the first portion between a neutral position, a plurality of upward positions and a plurality of downward positions.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the second positions are downwardly deflected positions, and wherein a gap is exposed between the flexible surface and the second portion of the external fluid flow body when the second portion is in at least one of the downwardly deflected positions.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the second portion includes a forward portion and an aft portion and wherein the aft portion is movable relative to the forward portion to expose a gap between the forward and aft portions.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the second portion at least partially seals against the flexible surface when the second portion is in at least one of the second positions.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the second portion is pivotable relative to the first portion about a pivot axis that is positioned at the second flow surface or between the first and second flow surfaces.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the second portion includes a leading edge and wherein the second portion is pivotable relative to the first portion about a pivot axis that is positioned forward of the leading edge.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the second flow surface does not include a fairing positioned to house at least one of the guide structure and the actuator.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the external fluid flow body includes an airfoil, and wherein the first positions are upwardly deflected positions, and wherein the second positions are downwardly deflected positions.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein the guide structure includes a plurality of links pivotably coupled between the actuator and the flexible surface.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein the actuator is the only actuator coupled between the first and second portions.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein the first and second portions include first and second portions of a first wing and wherein the system further comprises:

a second wing;

a fuselage positioned between the first and second wings; and

a tail depending from the fuselage.

15. An aircraft system, comprising:

a leading edge portion having a first flow surface and a second flow surface facing opposite from the first flow surface, the leading edge portion being configured to be positioned adjacent to one side of an aircraft fuselage;

a first trailing edge portion at least part of which is positioned aft of the leading edge portion, the first trailing edge portion being movable relative to the leading edge portion between a neutral position with the first trailing edge portion generally aligned with the leading edge portion, a plurality of upward positions with the first trailing edge portion deflected upwardly relative to the neutral position, and a plurality of downward positions with the first trailing edge portion deflected downwardly relative to the neutral position;

a first guide structure coupled between the leading edge portion and the first trailing edge portion, the first guide structure having a first mechanical arrangement;

a second trailing edge portion at least part of which is positioned aft of the leading edge portion, the second trailing edge portion being movable relative to the leading edge portion between a neutral position with the second trailing edge portion generally aligned with the leading edge portion, a plurality of upward positions with the second trailing edge portion deflected upwardly relative to the neutral position, and a plurality of downward positions with the second trailing edge portion deflected downwardly relative to the neutral position; and

a second guide structure coupled between the leading edge portion and the second trailing edge portion, the second guide structure having a second mechanical arrangement, with the second mechanical arrangement generally similar to and scaled relative to the first mechanical arrangement.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein the second guide structure is at least approximately geometrically similar to the first guide structure.

17. The system of claim 15 wherein the first surface includes a fixed portion and a flexible portion, and wherein the flexible portion is configured to flex between a first shape with the first trailing edge portion in the neutral position, a second shape with the first trailing edge portion in one of the upward positions, and a third shape with the first trailing edge portion in one of the downward positions.

18. The system of claim 15 wherein the first trailing edge portion includes a single element airfoil and wherein the second trailing edge portion includes a multiple element airfoil having a forward portion and an aft portion movable relative to the forward portion, and wherein the forward portion is coupled to the leading edge portion with the second guide structure.

19. The system of claim 15, further comprising:

an actuator operatively coupled between the leading edge portion and the first trailing edge portion; and

a controller coupled to the actuator, the controller being configured to direct to the actuator to move the first trailing edge portion to a downwardly deflected high lift setting, an upwardly deflected high drag setting, a roll setting and a trim setting.

20. The system of claim 0.15, further comprising:

a first actuator coupled between the leading edge portion and the first trailing edge portion;

a second actuator coupled between the leading edge portion and the second trailing edge portion; and

at least one controller coupled to the first and second actuators, the controller being configured to direct a first signal to the first actuator to move the first trailing edge device to a first position relative to a neutral position at the first trailing edge device and direct a second signal to the second actuator, to move the second trailing edge device to a second position relative to a neutral position of the second trailing edge device, the second position being different from the first position.

21. The system of claim 15 wherein a gap is exposed between the leading edge portion and the first trailing edge portion when the first trailing edge portion is in at least one of the downward positions.

22. The system of claim 15, further comprising:

a first actuator coupled between the leading edge portion and the first trailing edge portion, the first actuator being the only actuator coupled between the leading edge portion and the first trailing edge portion; and

a second actuator coupled between the leading edge portion and the second trailing edge portion, the second actuator being the only actuator coupled between the leading edge portion and the second trailing edge portion.

23. The system of claim 15 wherein the leading edge portion and the first and second trailing edge portions include portions of a first wing and wherein the system further comprises:

a second wing;

a fuselage positioned between the first and second wings; and

a tail depending from the fuselage.

24. An aircraft system, comprising:

a leading edge portion having a first flow surface and a second flow surface facing opposite from the first flow surface, the leading edge portion being configured to be positioned adjacent to one side of an aircraft fuselage;

a first trailing edge portion at least part of which is positioned aft of the leading edge portion, the first trailing edge portion being movable relative to the leading edge portion between a neutral position with the first trailing edge portion generally aligned with the leading edge portion, a plurality of upward positions with the first trailing edge portion deflected upwardly relative to the neutral position, and a plurality of downward positions with the first trailing edge portion deflected downwardly relative to the neutral position;

a first guide structure coupled between the leading edge portion and the first trailing edge portion, the first guide structure having a first mechanical arrangement;

a first flexible panel positioned at least proximate to the leading edge portion, the first flexible panel being configured to flex between a first shape with the first trailing edge portion in the neutral position, a second shape with the first trailing edge portion in one of the upward positions, and a third shape with the first trailing edge portion in one of the downward positions;

a first actuator coupled between the leading edge portion and the first trailing edge portion;

a second trailing edge portion at least part of which is positioned aft of the leading edge portion, the second trailing edge portion being movable relative to the leading edge portion between a neutral position with the second trailing edge portion generally aligned with the leading edge portion, a plurality of upward positions with the second trailing edge portion deflected upwardly relative to the neutral position, and a plurality of downward positions with the second trailing edge portion deflected downwardly relative to the neutral position;

a second guide structure coupled between the leading edge portion and the second trailing edge portion, the second guide structure having a second mechanical arrangement, with the second mechanical arrangement being generally similar to and scaled relative to the first mechanical arrangement;

a second flexible panel positioned at least proximate to the leading edge portion, the second flexible panel being configured to flex between a first shape with the second trailing edge portion in the neutral position, a second shape with the second trailing edge portion in one of the upward positions, and a third shape with the second trailing edge portion in one of the downward positions;

a second actuator coupled between the leading edge portion and the second trailing edge portion; and

a controller coupled to the first and second actuators, the controller being configured to direct the first actuator to move the first trailing edge portion to a downwardly deflected high lift setting, an upwardly deflected high drag setting, a roll setting, and a trim setting, the controller further being configured to direct the second actuator to move the second trailing edge portion to a downwardly deflected high lift setting, an upwardly deflected high drag setting, a roll setting, and a trim setting.

25. The system of claim 24 wherein the first actuator is the only actuator coupled between the leading edge portion and the first trailing edge portion, and wherein the second actuator is the only actuator coupled between the leading edge portion and the second trailing edge portion.

26. An aircraft system, comprising:

first lift means for imparting a lift force to an aircraft;

second lift means for imparting a lift force to the aircraft, at least part of the second lift means being positioned aft of the first lift means, the second lift means being movable between a neutral position with the second lift means generally aligned with the first lift means, a plurality of first positions with the second lift means deflected in a first direction relative to the neutral position, and a plurality of second positions with the second lift means deflected in a second direction relative to the neutral position;

guide means for guiding the motion of the second lift means relative to the first lift means;

actuation means for moving the second lift means relative to the first lift means; and

control means for directing the actuation means, the control means being configured to direct the actuation means to move the second lift means to a high lift setting, a high drag setting, a roll setting and a trim setting.

27. The system of claim 26 wherein the second lift means is sealed against the first lift means in at least one setting, and wherein at least part of the second lift means is at least partially spaced apart from the first lift means by a gap at another setting.

28. A method for controlling an aircraft, comprising:

increasing a lift of the aircraft by directing a trailing edge portion of an airfoil to move relative to a leading edge portion of the airfoil from a neutral position to a high lift position;

increasing a drag of the aircraft by directing the trailing edge portion to move relative to the leading edge portion from the neutral position to a high drag position;

rolling the aircraft by directing the trailing edge portion to move relative to the leading edge portion from the neutral position to a roll position; and

distributing the lift of the aircraft by directing the trailing edge portion to move relative to the leading edge portion from the neutral position to a trim position.

29. The method of claim 28 wherein directing the trailing edge portion to move includes receiving an input signal from a pilot control and transmitting an output signal to an actuator coupled to the trailing edge portion.

30. The method of claim 28 wherein the trailing edge portion includes a first trailing edge portion, and wherein the method further comprises directing a second trailing edge portion of the airfoil to move to a high lift position, a high drag position, a roll position, and a trim position.

31. The method of claim 28 wherein the trailing edge portion includes a first trailing edge portion coupled to a guide structure having a first mechanical arrangement, and wherein the method further comprises directing a second trailing edge portion of the airfoil to move to a high lift position, a high drag position, a roll position, and a trim position, the second trailing edge portion having a second mechanical arrangement generally similar to and scaled relative to the first mechanical arrangement.

32. The method of claim 28 wherein directing the trailing edge portion includes directing the trailing edge portion to move upwardly and downwardly from the neutral position and wherein the method further comprises flexing a flexible portion coupled to the leading edge portion of the airfoil as the trailing edge portion moves.

33. The method of claim 28 wherein directing the trailing edge portion includes directing the trailing edge portion to move upwardly and downwardly from the neutral position and wherein the method further comprises:

directing a first panel positioned between the trailing edge portion and an upper surface of the leading edge portion to move while the trailing edge portion moves; and

directing a second panel positioned between the trailing edge portion and a lower surface of the leading edge portion to move while the trailing edge portion moves.

34. A method for controlling an aircraft, comprising:

increasing a lift of the aircraft by directing a first trailing edge portion of an airfoil to move relative to a leading edge portion of the airfoil from a neutral position to a high lift position while guiding the first trailing edge portion with a first guide structure having a first mechanical arrangement;

increasing a drag of the aircraft by directing the first trailing edge portion to move relative to the leading edge portion from the neutral position to a high drag position while guiding the first trailing edge portion with the first guide structure;

rolling the aircraft by directing the first trailing edge portion to move relative to the leading edge portion from the neutral position to a roll position while guiding the first trailing edge portion with the first guide structure;

distributing the lift of the aircraft by directing the first trailing edge portion to move relative to the leading edge portion from the neutral position to a trim position while guiding the first trailing edge portion with the first guide structure; and

directing a second trailing edge portion of the airfoil to move relative to the leading edge portion of the airfoil from a neutral position to at least one of a high lift position, a high drag position, a roll position, and a trim position while guiding the second trailing edge portion with a second guide structure having a second mechanical arrangement, the second mechanical arrangement being generally similar to and scaled relative to the first mechanical arrangement, the second trailing edge portion being positioned on the same side of an aircraft fuselage as the first trailing edge portion.

35. The method of claim 34 wherein directing the first trailing edge portion includes directing the first trailing edge portion to move upwardly and downwardly from the neutral position and wherein the method further comprises flexing a flexible portion coupled to the leading edge portion of the airfoil as the first trailing edge portion moves.

36. The method of claim 34 wherein directing the first trailing edge portion includes directing the first trailing edge portion to move upwardly and downwardly from the neutral position, and wherein the method further comprises:

directing a first panel positioned between the first trailing edge portion and an upper surface of the leading edge portion to move while the first trailing edge portion moves; and

directing a second panel positioned between the first trailing edge portion and a lower surface of the leading edge portion to move while the first trailing edge portion moves.

37. A method for manufacturing an aircraft, comprising:

coupling a first trailing edge portion to a leading edge portion of an airfoil;

coupling a second trailing edge portion to the leading edge portion of the airfoil, with the first and second trailing edge portions being positioned between an inboard portion of the airfoil and an outboard portion of the airfoil;

connecting a first guide structure to the leading edge portion and the first trailing edge portion, the first guide structure having a first mechanical arrangement; and

connecting a second guide structure to the leading edge portion and the second trailing edge portion, the second guide structure having a second mechanical arrangement, with the second mechanical arrangement generally similar to and scaled relative to the first mechanical arrangement.

38. The method of claim 37 wherein connecting a second guide structure includes connecting a second guide structure having a second mechanical arrangement that is geometrically similar to the first mechanical arrangement.

39. A method for changing a shape of an external fluid flow body, comprising:

moving a trailing edge portion of the external fluid flow body relative to a leading edge portion of the fluid flow body from a neutral position with the trailing edge portion generally aligned with the leading edge portion in a first direction relative to the neutral position;

moving the trailing edge portion in a second direction opposite the first direction relative to the neutral position;

changing a shape of a flexible surface positioned proximate to the first and second portions between a first shape with the second portion in the neutral position, a second shape with the second portion in at least one of the first positions, and a third shape with the second portion in at least one of the second positions; and

opening a gap between the flexible surface and the second portion when the second portion is in at least one of the second positions.