# US 12,601,574 B2 · Foldable moveable member for an air vehicle with fold region having a plurality of holes > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,601,574 B2 - Document ID: US12601574B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/690,848 - Filed: 2022-09-09 - Published: 2024-12-05 - Granted: 2026-04-14 - Earliest claimed: 2021-09-13 - Assignees: Mbda UK Limited - Applicants: Mbda UK Limited - Inventors: Jeffrey Thornton - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12601574B2 ## CPC - F42B 10/14: using fins spread or deployed after launch, e.g. after leaving the barrel - B64C 5/10: adjustable - B64C 9/00: Adjustable control surfaces or members, e.g. rudders (trimming stabilising surfaces B64C5/10) - B64C 3/56: Folding or collapsing to reduce overall dimensions of aircraft - F42B: EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION (explosive compositions C06B; fuzes F42C; blasting F42D) - B64C: AEROPLANES; HELICOPTERS ## Abstract A foldable moveable member for an air vehicle. The moveable member includes a sheet. The sheet has a first portion, a second portion, and a fold region. The first portion is connected to the second portion via the fold region, and the fold region comprises a plurality of holes such that the stiffness of the fold region is lower than the first or second portion. The fold region, the first portion, and the second portion form a continuous surface. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A foldable flight control member comprising a sheet, the sheet comprising: a first portion, a second portion, and a fold region, wherein: the first portion is connected to the second portion via the fold region, wherein the fold region comprises a fold line, such that when the foldable moveable member folds, the first portion moves relative to the second portion about the fold line, the fold region defining a plurality of elongate holes such that the stiffness of the fold region is lower than the first or second portion, wherein each elongate hole is resolved into a first length component parallel to the fold line and a second length component orthogonal to the fold line, wherein the first length component parallel to the fold line is greater than the second length component orthogonal to the fold line, and the fold region, the first portion and the second portion form a continuous surface. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The foldable flight control member as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of holes are arranged in a repeating pattern. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The foldable flight control member as claimed in claim 2, wherein the repeating pattern comprises a repeating pattern of tessellated unit cells. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The foldable flight control member as claimed in claim 3, wherein each unit cell is rectangular in shape. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The foldable flight control member as claimed in claim 3, wherein each unit cell contains at least two holes. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The foldable flight control member as claimed in claim 5, wherein the at least two holes are interlaced. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) The foldable flight control member as claimed in claim 3, wherein a unit cell of the tessellated unit cells comprises an “H” shaped hole and a pair of longitudinal holes. ### Claim 8 (depends on 3) The foldable flight control member as claimed in claim 3, wherein a unit cell of the tessellated unit cells comprises a “C” shaped hole, and a pair of arc shaped holes at the perimeter of the unit cell. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The foldable flight control member as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of holes comprises a plurality of “H” shaped holes. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The foldable flight control member as claimed in claim 1, wherein the holes are at least partially defined by a first sheet portion, a second sheet portion and at least two sheet beams. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The foldable flight control member as claimed in claim 1, wherein electrical current can flow from the first portion, through the fold region, and to the second portion. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) An air vehicle including a foldable flight control member as claimed in claim 1. ### Claim 13 A method of deploying, on an air vehicle, foldable flight control member comprising a sheet, the sheet comprising: a first portion, a second portion, and a fold region, wherein the fold region comprises a fold line, such that when the foldable member folds, the first portion moves relative to the second portion about the fold line, wherein: the first portion is connected to the second portion via the fold region, the fold region includes a plurality of elongate holes, wherein each elongate hole is resolved into a first length component parallel to the fold line and a second length component orthogonal to the fold line, wherein the first length component parallel to the fold line is greater than the second length component orthogonal to the fold line, and the fold region, the first portion and the second portion form a continuous surface, the method comprising the step of: rotating the first portion relative to the second portion from a stowed position to a deployed position by bending the fold region.