Wing assemblies and aircraft with gap-adjustment assemblies for slats

A wing assembly, comprising:

• a slat;
• wing support structures;
• and
• a gap-adjustment assembly configured to permit selective adjustment of the slat relative to the wing support structures, wherein the gap-adjustment assembly comprises:
• a track member pivotally coupled relative to the wing support structures about a track-member axis, wherein the slat is operatively translationally coupled to the track member, wherein the track member is configured to constrain translation of the slat between a stowed position and a deployed position, wherein the track member defines an elongate slot, and wherein the elongate slot is nonlinear;
• an adjustment member pivotally coupled relative to the wing support structures about an adjustment-member axis and pivotally coupled to the track member about a linkage axis, wherein the track-member axis, the adjustment-member axis, and the linkage axis are parallel to each other, wherein the adjustment member is configured to permit selective adjustment of a direct distance between the adjustment-member axis and the linkage axis, wherein the adjustment member comprises an adjustment mechanism configured to permit selective adjustment of the direct distance between the adjustment-member axis and the linkage axis, and wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises:
• a first nut fixed relative to the adjustment-member axis;
• a second nut fixed relative to the linkage axis;
• and
• a threaded rod operatively engaged with the first nut and the second nut, wherein rotation of the threaded rod in a first direction shortens the direct distance between the adjustment-member axis and the linkage axis, and wherein rotation of the threaded rod in a second direction opposite the first direction lengthens the direct distance between the adjustment-member axis and the linkage axis;
• and
• a follower operatively coupled to the slat and configured to translate along the elongate slot, wherein the follower comprises a roller that defines a roller axis, and wherein the roller axis is parallel to the linkage axis.

A wing assembly, comprising:

• a slat;
• wing support structures;
• and
• a gap-adjustment assembly configured to permit selective adjustment of the slat relative to the wing support structures, wherein the gap-adjustment assembly comprises:
• a track member pivotally coupled relative to the wing support structures about a track-member axis, wherein the slat is operatively translationally coupled to the track member, wherein the track member is configured to constrain translation of the slat between a stowed position and a deployed position, wherein the track member defines an elongate slot, and wherein the elongate slot is nonlinear;
• an adjustment member pivotally coupled relative to the wing support structures about an adjustment-member axis and pivotally coupled to the track member about a linkage axis, wherein the track-member axis, the adjustment-member axis, and the linkage axis are parallel to each other, wherein the adjustment member is configured to permit selective adjustment of a direct distance between the adjustment-member axis and the linkage axis, wherein the adjustment member comprises an adjustment mechanism configured to permit selective adjustment of the direct distance between the adjustment-member axis and the linkage axis, and wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises:
• a first nut fixed relative to the adjustment-member axis;
• a second nut fixed relative to the linkage axis;
• and
• a threaded rod operatively engaged with the first nut and the second nut, wherein rotation of the threaded rod in a first direction shortens the direct distance between the adjustment-member axis and the linkage axis, and wherein rotation of the threaded rod in a second direction opposite the first direction lengthens the direct distance between the adjustment-member axis and the linkage axis;
• a follower operatively coupled to the slat and configured to translate along the elongate slot, wherein the follower comprises a roller that defines a roller axis, and wherein the roller axis is parallel to the linkage axis;
• and
• a pair of auxiliary ribs;
• a track support fixed to and between the pair of auxiliary ribs and operatively and pivotally supporting the track member, wherein the track support comprises a lower clevis fixed to and between the pair of auxiliary ribs an upper clevis fixed to the lower clevis and operatively and pivotally supporting the track member;
• and
• an adjustment-member support fixed to and between the pair of auxiliary ribs and operatively and pivotally supporting the adjustment member, and wherein the adjustment member comprises a forward clevis pivotally coupled to the track member and a rearward clevis pivotally coupled to the adjustment-member support.