Apparatus and methods for actuation of flight control surfaces

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for actuating flight control surfaces (16A-C) of fixed-wing aircraft are disclosed herein. An exemplary apparatus disclosed includes a common movable driving member (20) for actuating a plurality of flight control surfaces; a first power transfer device (24A) configured to variably adjust power transfer from the common movable driving member to a first of the plurality of flight control surfaces; and a second power transfer device (24B) configured to variably adjust power transfer from the common movable driving member to a second of the plurality of flight control surfaces. The power transferred to the second flight control surface may be adjusted independently of the power transferred to the first flight control surface. Apparatus and methods for actuating flight control surfaces using magneto-rheological fluid or electro-rheological fluid are also disclosed.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.