# US 2013/0153713 A1 · Translating cable device sealing > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0153713 A1 - Document ID: US20130153713A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/714,701 - Filed: 2012-12-14 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2011-12-14 - Assignees: Airbus Operations GmbH - Inventors: James WILSON; Paul HADLEY; Alexandru TEODORU - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130153713A1 ## CPC - B64C 9/22: at the front of the wing - B64C 9/02: Mounting or supporting thereof - B64D 15/12: by electric heating (heating arrangements specially adapted for transparent or reflecting areas H05B3/84) - Y02T 50/30: Wing lift efficiency - Y02T 50/40: Weight reduction - B64C: AEROPLANES; HELICOPTERS - B64D: EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT - Y02T: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION ## Abstract An aircraft wing assembly, comprising a wing having a fixed leading edge, a slat mounted for movement between a retracted position and an extended position with respect to the fixed leading edge, and a translating cable device for electrically connecting the slat to the wing and having a strut coupled at one end to the slat, the fixed leading edge having an aperture to accommodate the strut, and a seal assembly for sealing between the strut and the aperture. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An aircraft wing assembly, comprising a wing having a fixed leading edge, a slat mounted for movement between a retracted position and an extended position with respect to the fixed leading edge, and a translating cable device for electrically connecting the slat to the wing and having a strut coupled at one end to the slat, the fixed leading edge having an aperture to accommodate the strut, and a seal assembly for sealing between the strut and the aperture. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An aircraft wing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the seal assembly includes a first seal fixed adjacent the aperture, and a second seal fixed to the strut of the translating cable device. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) An aircraft wing assembly according to claim 2, wherein the first and second seals cooperate when the slat is moved to one or more predetermined positions. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) An aircraft wing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the translating cable device has a proximal end mounted to the wing and a distal end coupled to the slat. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) An aircraft wing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the seal assembly includes a flap seal mounted to the fixed leading edge and projecting into the aperture. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) An aircraft wing assembly according to claim 5, wherein the flap seal includes a plurality of flap seal sections with a gap between adjacent sections. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) An aircraft wing assembly according to claim 5, wherein the flap seal is mounted to a portion of the fixed leading edge substantially surrounding the aperture. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) An aircraft wing assembly according to claim 5, wherein the flap seal includes a first portion mounted to an interior surface of a panel defining the fixed leading edge adjacent an edge of the aperture, and a second portion within the aperture and substantially conformal with an outer surface of the panel. ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) An aircraft wing assembly according to claim 5, wherein the flap seal has a central cut-out. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) An aircraft wing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the translating cable device includes either an articulating mechanism, or a telescoping mechanism. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) An aircraft wing assembly according to claim 10, wherein the articulating mechanism includes a first strut pivotally mounted to the wing, and a second strut having a proximal end pivotally connected to the first strut and a distal end coupled to the slat. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) An aircraft wing assembly according to claim 11, wherein the second strut is curved. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) An aircraft wing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the seal assembly includes a plug seal fixed to the strut at a location remote from the end of the strut which is coupled to the slat. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) An aircraft wing assembly according to claim 13, wherein the plug seal is arranged to enter the aperture in the fixed leading edge when the slat is fully extended, and to withdraw from the aperture into the wing when the slat is retracted. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) An aircraft wing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the seal assembly includes a seal boot covering the coupling between the translating cable device and the slat. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) An aircraft wing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the translating cable device is passively driven by movement of the slat. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) An aircraft wing assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a slat actuation mechanism for driving the slat between its extended and retracted positions.