Helicopter aerofoil with trailing edge flap
AssigneeAgustawestland S.P.A.
InventorsAndrew CAVE, Simon STACEY
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An aerofoil has a main portion of aerofoil cross section and a trailing edge portion (12) movable with respect to the main portion by an actuating device (14), the trailing edge portion (12) is movable at or about an area/point of flexion A, the area/point of flexion A is located at or adjacent a pressure or suction surface of the aerofoil, the trailing edge portion (12) is connected to the main portion by first and second connection members (18, 20), the first connection member (18) extends inwardly away from the area/point of flexion A and has an end which is directly or indirectly connected to the main portion, the first and second connection members (18, 20) are flexible.
Claims32
An aerofoil having a main portion of aerofoil cross section and a trailing edge portion movable with respect to the main portion by an actuating device, wherein the trailing edge portion is movable at or about an area/point of flexion A, the area/point of flexion A being located at or adjacent a pressure or suction surface of the aerofoil, wherein the trailing edge portion is connected to the main portion by first and second connection members, the first connection member extending inwardly away from the area/point of flexion A and having an end which is directly or indirectly connected to the main portion, wherein the first and second connection members are flexible.
An aerofoil according to any preceding claim, wherein the main portion includes a framework to which one or both of the first and second connection members is connected, the framework being configured to absorb energy derived from force subjected, in use, to the trailing edge portion.
An aerofoil according to any preceding claim, wherein the first and second connection members are disposed with respect to one another at an angle in a range of from about 5° to about 50° or in a range of from 5° to 50°.
An aerofoil according to any preceding claim, wherein the first and second connection members are disposed with respect to one another at an angle in a range of from about 10° to about 45° or in a ange of from 10° to 45°.
An aerofoil according to any preceding claim, wherein the first and second connection members are disposed with respect to one another at an angle in a range of from about 20° to about 35° or in a ange of from 20° to 35°.
An aerofoil according to any preceding claim, wherein the first and second connection members are disposed with respect to one another at an angle in a range of from about 20° to about 22° or in a ange of from 20° to 22°.
An aerofoil according to any preceding claim, wherein the first and second connection members at least partially define a cavity when the aerofoil is viewed in cross section.
An aerofoil according to any preceding claim, wherein the second connection member forms a part of an outer surface of the aerofoil.
An aerofoil according to any preceding claim, wherein an area/point of flexion A is located at or adjacent both of the pressure and suction surfaces of the aerofoil.
An aerofoil according to any preceding claim, wherein the actuating device includes an actuator unit and at least one actuator rod, the or each actuator rod being directly or indirectly coupled to the trailing edge portion.
An aerofoil according to any preceding claim, wherein one or both of the first and second connection members is formed from a thermosetting polymer or a thermoplastic polymer.
An aerofoil according to any preceding claim, wherein one or both of the first and second connection members is formed of a single component having a substantially constant thickness therealong.
A helicopter including at least one rotating aerofoil according to any one of the preceding claims.
An aerofoil substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
Any novel feature or novel combination of features described herein and/or shown in the accompanying drawings.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.