Variable Slat Displacement Using Spanwise Actuator

A method of fabricating an aircraft wing, the method comprising:

• coupling a linear hydraulic slat actuator to a support rib defining an aperture extending therethrough, the linear hydraulic slat actuator having at least a portion thereof extending through the aperture of the support rib, wherein the hydraulic slat actuator is oriented in a first direction, wherein the first direction is spanwise along the aircraft wing;
• rotatably coupling a bell crank to the support rib;
• rotatably coupling the bell-crank to the linear hydraulic slat actuator;
• rotatably coupling an actuator output link to the bell-crank, the output link oriented in a second direction different from the first direction;
• and
• coupling a slat to the actuator output link, wherein, in response to spanwise movement of the linear hydraulic slat actuator, the bell-crank moves the actuator output link in the second direction that enables the slat to move between a retracted position and an extended position.

An aircraft comprising:

• a fuselage;
• and
• an aircraft wing attached to the fuselage, the aircraft wing comprising:
• a support rib defining an aperture extending therethrough;
• a linear hydraulic slat actuator having at least a portion thereof extending through the aperture of the support rib, wherein the linear hydraulic slat actuator is oriented in a first direction, the first direction being spanwise along the aircraft wing;
• an actuator output link;
• a slat attached to the actuator output link;
• and
• a bell-crank rotatably coupled to:
• (i) the support rib, (ii) the linear hydraulic slat actuator and (iii) the actuator output link, wherein, in response to spanwise movement of the linear hydraulic slat actuator, the bell-crank is configured to move the actuator output link in the second direction different from the first direction that enables the slat to move between a retracted position and an extended position.