Aerodynamic control surface

An aerodynamic control surface assembly comprising:

• a structure with an aerodynamic surface;
• a curved aerodynamic control surface configured to move between an extended position and a retracted position;
• an actuation mechanism coupled to the aerodynamic control surface and configured to move the aerodynamic control surface between the extended position and the retracted position,
• wherein the aerodynamic control surface is arranged to deploy through an aperture in the aerodynamic surface and into an oncoming airflow over the aerodynamic surface when in the extended position and is arranged to retract out of the airflow when in the retracted position,
• wherein the actuation mechanism is configured to move the control surface along a curved kinematic path as the control surface moves between the extended position and the retracted position, and
• wherein the actuation mechanism remains fully behind the aerodynamic surface throughout movement of the aerodynamic control surface between the extended position and the retracted position,
• wherein the aerodynamic control surface is non-linear along the length of the aerodynamic control surface that extends in a spanwise direction of the structure transverse to the oncoming airflow direction.

A method of controlling airflow over a structure with an aerodynamic surface using a curved aerodynamic control surface, the method comprising:

• actuating an actuation mechanism coupled to the aerodynamic control surface to:
• move the aerodynamic control surface through an aperture in the aerodynamic surface into an oncoming airflow over the aerodynamic surface to place the aerodynamic surface in an extended position, and
• move the aerodynamic control surface through the aperture in the aerodynamic surface into a space behind the aerodynamic surface and out of the airflow to place the aerodynamic surface in a retracted position,
• wherein the actuation mechanism is configured such that the control surface follows a curved kinematic path as the control surface moves between the extended and retracted positions,
• wherein the curved kinematic path has variable radii along the length of the curved kinematic path, and
• wherein the actuation mechanism remains fully behind the aerodynamic surface throughout the movement of the aerodynamic control surface between the extended and retracted positions.