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US 2020/0407041 A1Published application
Articulated flap support forward fairing
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsKevin R. Tsai, Miranda Peterson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An articulating flap support housing includes a flap connected to a wing with the flap having a range of deployed positions. An aft fairing is connected to the flap and configured to rotate with the flap through the range of deployed positions. A forward fairing is rotatably connected to the aft fairing. The forward fairing acts as a counterbalance to the aft fairing and flap.
Claims18
An articulating flap support housing comprising:
- a flap connected to a wing, the flap having a range of deployed positions;
- an aft fairing connected to the flap and configured to rotate with the flap through the range of deployed positions;
- and
- a forward fairing rotatably connected to the aft fairing, the forward fairing acting as a counterbalance to the aft fairing and flap.
1 more element
An aircraft wing assembly comprising:
- a wing;
- a flap support mounted to the wing;
- a drive link having a first end rotatably connected to the flap support and a second end rotatably connected at a first pivot proximate a forward end of a flap, the drive link rotatable for extending the flap over a range of deployed positions;
- an aft fairing connected to the flap and configured to rotate with the flap through the range of deployed positions;
- a forward fairing rotatably connected to the aft fairing to the aft fairing and acting as a counterbalance to the aft fairing and the flap;
- and
- an articulation mechanism having a forward fairing attachment foot engaged to a bottom aft end of the forward fairing and an aft fairing attachment foot engaged to a bottom forward end of the aft fairing, the aft fairing attachment foot pivotally connected to the forward fairing attachment foot whereby the forward fairing rotates relative to the aft fairing;
- an outboard bellcrank having a central pivot connected to an outboard side of the drive link;
- an outboard fairing link connected to an upper aft end of an outboard side of the forward fairing and rotatably connected to a first arm of the outboard bellcrank;
- an outboard flap support link connected to an outboard side of the flap support and a second arm of the outboard bellcrank;
- an inboard bellcrank having a central pivot connected to a inboard side of the drive link;
- an inboard fairing link connected to an upper aft end of an inboard side of the forward fairing and rotatably connected to a first arm of the inboard bellcrank;
- and
- an inboard flap support link connected to an inboard side of the flap support and a second arm of the inboard bellcrank.
11 more elements
A method for counterbalancing a deployable flap and aft fairing, the method comprising:
- connecting a flap to a wing, the flap having a range of deployed positions;
- connecting an aft fairing to the flap;
- rotating the aft fairing with the flap through the range of deployed positions;
- and,
- rotatably connecting a forward fairing solely to the aft fairing, the forward fairing acting as a counterbalance to the aft fairing and the flap.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.