Link mechanisms for gapped rigid krueger flaps, and associated systems and methods
First Claim
1. An aircraft system, comprising:
- a deployable leading edge assembly that includes;
a deployable leading edge panel having a generally fixed-shape flow surface;
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 a stowed position and a deployed position, the link mechanism having;
a first support link pivotably coupleable to an 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 leading edge panel forms a gap with the airfoil when in the deployed position, and 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.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Link mechanisms for gapped rigid Krueger flaps, and associated methods and systems are disclosed. A system in accordance with one embodiment includes a deployable leading edge assembly that in turn includes a deployable leading edge panel having a generally fixed-shape flow surface, a bullnose coupled to the panel, and a link mechanism coupled to the panel and the bullnose to move the panel between a stowed position and a deployed position. The mechanism can include a first support link, a second support link, and first, second, and third positioning links. The positioning links can be pivotably connected among the leading edge panel, the bullnose, the first support link and the second support link so that the leading edge panel forms a gap with the airfoil when in the deployed position. The positioning links can be the only positioning links coupled between the support links, the leading edge panel, and the bullnose at a particular wing span location.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. An aircraft system, comprising:
a deployable leading edge assembly that includes; a deployable leading edge panel having a generally fixed-shape flow surface; 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 a stowed position and a deployed position, the link mechanism having; a first support link pivotably coupleable to an 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 leading edge panel forms a gap with the airfoil when in the deployed position, and 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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An aircraft wing system, comprising:
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an airfoil; a deployable leading edge assembly that includes; a deployable leading edge panel having a generally rigid, fixed-shape flow surface; a bullnose pivotably coupled to the leading edge panel and having a generally rigid, fixed-shape flow surface; a link mechanism coupled to the leading edge panel, the bullnose and the airfoil at a wing span location to move the leading edge panel between a stowed position and a deployed position, the link mechanism having; a first support link pivotably coupled to the airfoil; a second support link pivotably coupled to the airfoil and positioned aft of the first support link; a first positioning link pivotably connected to the first support link, the second support link and the leading edge panel; a second positioning link pivotably connected to the second support link, the leading edge panel and the third positioning link; and a third positioning link pivotably connected between the second positioning link and the bullnose, wherein the leading edge panel forms a gap with the airfoil when in the deployed position, and wherein the positioning links are the only positioning links coupled between support links, the leading edge panel and the bullnose at the wing span location. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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22. A method for operating an aircraft wing system, comprising:
deploying a leading edge panel and a bullnose relative to an airfoil by; rotating a first support link pivotably coupled to the airfoil at a wing span location; rotating a second support link pivotably coupled to the airfoil and positioned aft of the first support link; rotating 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 support links, the leading edge panel and the bullnose at the wing span location; forming a gap between the airfoil and a generally fixed-shape streamwise flow surface of the leading edge panel; and rotating the bullnose relative to the leading edge panel. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25)
Specification