Inflated wing

• US 6,082,667 A
• Filed: 03/12/1998
• Issued: 07/04/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: HDT Expeditionary Systems, Inc. (HDT Global, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Roy A. Haggard
• Inventors: Haggard, Roy A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Poon, Peter M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): DINH, TIEN QUANG
• Application Number:
  US09/041,161
• Time in Patent Office: 845 Days
• Field of Search: 244/5, 244/123, 244/117 R, 244/146
• US Class Current: 244/35.00R
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 3/30 comprising inflatable structural components
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 9/02 Mounting or supporting thereof

Abstract

An inflatable wing containing high pressure inflated spars incorporates open cell foam filling the space within the wing. The foam inflates to a shape in tension which defines the surface contour of the wing. An inflated tube, similar to the spars, is used as a torque tube to actuate the control surface of the wing.

Claims

1. A wing, foldable for storage, said wing having an outer skin and having an internal volume, one or more tubular spars, said spars being composed of flexible material, said spars becoming stiff upon filling with gas under pressure;

comprising;

said outer skin defining an airfoil shape;

an open cell, flexible foam attached to said skin, said foam filling said internal volume between said spars and said skin, said foam expanding under inflating gas pressure to define said airfoil shape of said skin and resisting expansion under pressure beyond said shape by internal tension within said foam.

2. The wing of claim 1 including a wing control surface, and an inflatable spar installed within said wing, comprising:

said inflatable spar rotatable freely within said wing;

torque means for rotating said spar;

said spar attached to said control surface, actuation of said control surface via torque transmitted via said inflatable spar, said inflatable spar being collapsible as part of said foldable wing and control surface.