US 2023/0143989 A1 · FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM FOR AN AIRCRAFT

Abstract

A simple, safe, and inexpensive flight control system in an aircraft. An anti-torque system for a rotary-wing aircraft has an airfoil with a first surface extending from a first trailing edge and a leading edge, and a second surface extending from a second trailing edge to join the first surface at the leading edge. The airfoil has a first moveable deflector panel pivotally coupled to the first trailing edge, and a second moveable deflector panel pivotally coupled to the second trailing edge. Means are provided to pivot the deflector panels in unison about their respective pivot axes to alter the direction of travel of the airflow downstream of the pivot axes over the surfaces of the deflector panels, thereby producing a lift in a direction perpendicular to the airflow to counteract the torque applied on the aircraft. The flight control system may be arranged within a fixed-wing aircraft.

Claims21

Dependent claims

An anti-torque system for an aircraft, comprising an airfoil having:

(a) a first surface extending from a first trailing edge to a leading edge;
(b) a second surface extending from a second trailing edge to join the first surface at the leading edge;
(c) a first moveable deflector panel pivotally coupled to the first trailing edge;
(d) a second moveable deflector panel pivotally coupled to the second trailing edge;
wherein the first and second moveable deflector panels converge inwardly from the respective trailing edges toward respective terminal ends, the terminal ends of the first and second moveable deflector panels being separated by a gap;
and
(e) means for pivoting the first and second moveable deflector panels about first and second pivot axes respectively.

4 more elements

A rotary-wing aircraft comprising:

(a) a main rotor;
(b) a tail boom extending through an area of downwash from the main rotor;
(c) an airfoil encasing or fitted to at least a portion of the tail boom, the airfoil having:
(i) a first surface extending from a first trailing edge to a leading edge;
(ii) a second surface extending from a second trailing edge to join the first surface at the leading edge;
(iii) a first moveable deflector panel pivotally coupled to the first trailing edge;
(iv) a second moveable deflector panel pivotally coupled to the second trailing edge;
wherein the first and second moveable deflector panels converge inwardly from the respective trailing edges toward respective terminal ends, the terminal ends of the first and second moveable deflector panels being separated by a gap;
and
(v) means for pivoting the first and second moveable deflector panels about first and second pivot axes respectively,
wherein the leading edge is oriented upwardly and the deflector panels are oriented downwardly.

8 more elements

A rotary-wing aircraft comprising:

(a) a main rotor;
(b) a tail boom extending through an area of downwash from the main rotor;
(c) a first airfoil encasing or fitted to at least a portion of the tail boom, the airfoil having:
(i) a first surface extending from a first trailing edge to a leading edge;
(ii) a second surface extending from a second trailing edge to join the first surface at the leading edge;
(iii) a first moveable deflector panel pivotally coupled to the first trailing edge;
(iv) a second moveable deflector panel pivotally coupled to the second trailing edge;
and
(v) means for pivoting the first and second moveable deflector panels about first and second pivot axes respectively,
wherein the leading edge of the first airfoil is oriented upwardly and the first and second moveable deflector panels of the first airfoil are oriented downwardly;
(d) a vertical tail fin;
(e) a second airfoil encasing or fitted to at least a portion of the vertical tail fin, the second airfoil having:
(i) a first surface extending from a first trailing edge to a leading edge;
(ii) a second surface extending from a second trailing edge to join the first surface at the leading edge;
(iii) a first moveable deflector panel pivotally coupled to the first trailing edge;
(iv) a second moveable deflector panel pivotally coupled to the second trailing edge;
and
(v) means for pivoting the first and second moveable deflector panels about first and second pivot axes respectively,
wherein the leading edge of the second airfoil is oriented forwardly and the first and second moveable deflector panels of the second airfoil are oriented rearwardly;
and
wherein the second airfoil is operatively coupled to the first airfoil.

18 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Flight control system for an aircraft

Life of this patent

Flight control system for an aircraft

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21