Variable camber airfoil

A variable camber airfoil comprising:

• an aerodynamically continuous upper surface of the airfoil connected at its inner-end to fixed structure of the airfoil;
• a rib member fixedly hinged at its inner-end to fixed structure of the airfoil for rotation in a chordwise plane and having its free-end extending outwardly therefrom toward the edge of the airfoil;
• a linkage mechanism connecting the outer-end of said upper surface with the free-end of the rib member;
• means for rotating the rib member about its hinged inner-end;
• means operatively associated with the means that impart rotational movement to the rib member for producing a kinematic motion in said linkage mechanism so as to controllably bend the upper surface and in combination, torsionally twist the outer-end of said upper surface about a relatively spanwise axis to impart a flexuous curvature thereto and thereby vary the camber of the airfoil;
• said linkage mechanism comprises two mechanical linkages spaced apart chordwise and interconnecting the upper surface with the rib member, the upper surface structure between said chordwise spaced linkages forming one link, the rib member structure between said chordwise spaced linkages forming another link, and said two mechanical linkages forming the remainder of the linkage mechanism;
• said linkage mechanism being slaved to the rotating means of the rib member for torsionally twisting the outer-end portion of the upper surface so as to flexuously bend the upper surface and thereby vary the camber of the airfoil.

A variable camber airfoil comprising:

• an aerodynamically continuous upper surface of the airfoil connected at its inner-end to fixed structure of the airfoil;
• a rib member fixedly hinged at its inner-end to fixed structure of the airfoil for rotation in a chordwise plane and having its free-end extending outwardly therefrom toward the edge of the airfoil;
• a linkage mechanism connecting the outer-end of said upper surface with the free-end of the rib member;
• means for rotating the rib member about its hinged inner-end;
• means operatively associated with the means that impart rotational movement to the rib member for producing a kinematic motion in said linkage mechanism so as to controllably bend the upper surface and in combination, torsionally twist the outer-end of said upper surface about a relatively spanwise axis to impart a flexuous curvature thereto and thereby vary the camber of the airfoil;
• said linkage mechanism connecting the upper surface with the free-end of the rib member comprises a pair of linkage elements spaced apart chordwise and forming a four-bar linkage arrangement wherein, the structure in the upper surface between the chordwise spaced connections of the pair of linkage elements forms one bar, the rib member structure between the chordwise spaced connections of the pair of linkage elements forms the other bar, and the pair of linkage elements form the remaining bars.

A variable camber airfoil, comprising:

• an airfoil edge forming structure;
• an aerodynamically continuous upper surface flexible skin panel having its outer-end rigidly fastened to the airfoil edge forming structure and its inner-end connected to fixed structure of the airfoil;
• a rib member fixedly hinged at its inner-end to fixed structure of the airfoil for rotation in a chordwise plane and having its free-end extending outwardly therefrom toward the airfoil edge forming structure;
• means connecting the airfoil edge forming structure with the free-end of the rib member such that the rib member supports the airfoil edge forming structure and said upper surface flexible skin panel independently of the structural continuity of said upper surface flexible skin panel;
• means for rotating the rib member about its hinged inner-end to pull down on the airfoil edge forming structure;
• and means operatively associated with the means that impart rotational movement to the rib member for producing a motion in said means connecting said airfoil edge forming structure with the free-end of the rib member so as to controllably bend the upper surface panel in combination with torsionally rotating the airfoil leading edge structure about a relatively spanwise axis to flexuously bend the upper surface flexible skin panel and thereby vary the camber of the airfoil.

A variable camber airfoil, comprising:

• an airfoil edge forming structure;
• an aerodynamically continuous upper surface flexible skin panel having its outer-end rigidly fastened to the airfoil edge forming structure and its inner-end connected to fixed structure of the airfoil;
• a rib member fixedly hinged at its inner-end to fixed structure of the airfoil for rotation in a chordwise plane and having its free-end extending outwardly therefrom toward the airfoil edge forming structure;
• a linkage mechanism connecting the airfoil edge forming structure with the free-end of the rib member;
• means for rotating the rib member about its hinged inner-end to pull down on the airfoil edge forming structure;
• means operatively associated with the means that impart rotational movement to the rib member for producing a kinematic motion in said linkage mechanism so as to controllably bend the upper surface panel in combination with torsionally rotating the airfoil leading edge structure about a relatively spanwise axis to flexuously bend the upper surface flexible skin panel and thereby vary the camber of the airfoil;
• said linkage mechanism comprises two mechanical linkages spaced apart chordwise and interconnecting the airfoil edge forming structure with the rib member, the airfoil edge forming structure between said chordwise spaced linkages forming one link, the rib member structure between said chordwise spaced linkages forming another link, and said two mechanical linkages forming the remainder of the linkage mechanism;
• and said linkage mechanism being slaved to the rotating means of the rib member for torsionally twisting the outer-end portion of the upper surface panel so as to flexuously bend it and thereby vary the camber of the airfoil.

A variable camber airfoil, comprising:

• an airfoil edge forming structure;
• an aerodynamically continuous upper surface flexible skin panel having its outer-end rigidly fastened to the airfoil edge forming structure and its inner-end connected to fixed structure of the airfoil;
• a rib member fixedly hinged at its inner-end to fixed structure of the airfoil for rotation in a chordwise plane and having its free-end extending outwardly therefrom toward the airfoil edge forming structure;
• a linkage mechanism connecting the airfoil edge forming structure with the free-end of the rib member;
• means for rotating the rib member about its hinged inner-end to pull down on the airfoil edge forming structure;
• and means operatively associated with the means that impart rotational movement to the rib member for producing a kinematic motion in said linkage mechanism so as to controllably bend the upper surface panel in combination with torsionally rotating the airfoil leading edge structure about a relatively spanwise axis to flexuously bend the upper surface flexible skin panel and thereby vary the camber of the airfoil;
• said linkage mechanism connecting the airfoil edge forming structure with the free-end of the rib member comprises a pair of linkage elements spaced apart chordwise and forming a four-bar linkage arrangement wherein, the structure in the airfoil edge forming structure between the chordwise spaced connections of the pair of linkage elements forms one bar, the rib member structure between the chordwise spaced connections of the pair of linkage elements forms the other bar, and the pair of linkage elements form the remaining bars.

A variable camber apparatus for an airfoil having a chord reference plane, comprising an aerodynamically continuous upper surface skin panel having its inner-end connected to fixed structure of the airfoil;

• an airfoil edge forming structure rigidly fastened to the outer edge of said panel;
• a chordwise rib beam member pivotally connected at one end portion to rigid structure of the airfoil and having its free-end portion extending outwardly chordwise to the airfoil edge forming structure;
• said chordwise rib beam member and said airfoil edge forming structure each having a chordwise reference line coincident with the airfoil chord reference plane when the apparatus for varying the camber of the airfoil is at its noncambering position;
• means connecting the airfoil edge forming structure with the free-end portion of the rib beam member such that the chordwise rib beam member supports the airfoil edge forming structure and the upper surface skin panel independently of the structural continuity of said upper surface skin panel;
• means for rotating the rib beam member about its aft-end portion in a plane normal to the airfoil chord reference plane and about a relatively spanwise axis fixed with respect to the rigid structure;
• means operatively associated with the means that impart rotational movement to the rib beam member for slaving the rotational movement of the airfoil edge forming structure to the rotational movement of the rib beam member so that the airfoil edge forming structure is rotated at a greater angular rate than that of the chordwise rib beam member such that the chordwise reference line of the airfoil edge forming structure is at a greater angular deflection from the airfoil chord reference plane than that of the chordwise rib beam member for controllably bending the upper surface panel in combination with imparting a torsional twist about a relatively spanwise axis to the outer edge portion of the airfoil upper surface flexible skin panel through its rigid attachment to the airfoil edge forming structure so as to flexuously bend said panel and thereby vary the camber of the airfoil.

A variable camber apparatus for an airfoil having a chord reference plane, comprising an aerodynamically continuous upper surface skin panel having its inner-end connected to fixed structure of the airfoil;

• an airfoil edge forming structure rigidly fastened to the outer edge of said panel;
• a chordwise rib beam member pivotally connected at one end portion to rigid structure of the airfoil and having its free-end portion extending outwardly chordwise to the airfoil edge forming structure;
• said chordwise rib beam member and said airfoil edge forming structure each having a chordwise reference line coincident with the airfoil chord reference plane when the apparatus for varying the camber of the airfoil is at its noncambering position;
• a linkage mechanism connecting the airfoil edge forming structure with the free-end portion of the rib beam member;
• means for rotating the rib beam member about its aft-end portion in a plane normal to the airfoil chord reference plane and about a relatively spanwise axis fixed with respect to the rigid structure;
• means operatively associated with the means that impart rotational movement to the rib beam member for slaving the rotational movement of the airfoil edge forming structure to the rotational movement of the rib beam member so that the airfoil edge forming structure is rotated at a greater angular rate than that of the chordwise rib beam member such that the chordwise reference line of the airfoil edge forming structure is at a greater angular deflection from the airfoil chord reference plane than that of the chordwise rib beam member for controllably bending the upper surface panel in combination imparting a torsional twist about a relatively spanwise axis to the outer edge portion of the airfoil upper surface flexible skin panel through its rigid attachment to the airfoil edge forming structure so as to flexuously bend said panel and thereby vary the camber of the airfoil;
• said linkage mechanism comprises two mechanical linkages spaced apart chordwise and interconnecting the airfoil edge forming structure with the chordwise rib beam member, the airfoil edge forming structure between said chordwise spaced linkages forming one link, the chordwise rib beam member structure between said chordwise spaced linkages forming another link, and said two mechanical linkages forming the remainder of the linkage mechanism;
• and said linkage mechanism being slaved to the rotating means of the rib beam member.

A variable camber apparatus for an airfoil having a chord reference plane, comprising an aerodynamically continuous upper surface skin panel having its inner-end connected to fixed structure of the airfoil;

• an airfoil edge forming structure rigidly fastened to the outer edge of said panel;
• a chordwise rib beam member pivotally connected at one end portion to rigid structure of the airfoil and having its free-end portion extending outwardly chordwise to the airfoil edge forming structure, said chordwise rib beam member and said airfoil edge forming structure each having a chordwise reference line coincident with the airfoil chord reference plane when the apparatus for varying the camber of the airfoil is at its noncambering position;
• a linkage mechanism connecting the airfoil edge forming structure with the free-end portion of the rib beam member;
• means for rotating the rib beam member about its aft-end portion in a plane normal to the airfoil chord reference plane and about a relatively spanwise axis fixed with respect to the rigid structure means operatively associated with the means that impart rotational movement to the rib beam member for slaving the rotational movement of the airfoil edge forming structure to the rotational movement of the rib beam member so that the airfoil edge forming structure is rotated at a greater angular rate than that of the chordwise rib beam member such that the chordwise reference line of the airfoil edge forming structure is at a greater angular deflection from the airfoil chord reference plane than that of the chordwise rib beam member for controllably bending the upper surface panel in combination with imparting a torsional twist about a relatively spanwise axis to the outer edge portion of the airfoil upper surface flexible skin panel through its rigid attachment to the airfoil edge forming structure so as to flexuously bend said panel and thereby vary the chamber of the airfoil;
• said linkage mechanism connecting the airfoil edge forming structure with the free-end portion of the rib member comprises a pair of linkage elements spaced apart chordwise and forming a four-bar linkage arrrangement wherein, the structure in the airfoil edge forming structure between the chordwise spaced connections of the pair of linkage elements forms one bar, the chordwise rib beam member structure between the chordwise spaced connections of the pair of linkage elements forms the other bar, and the pair of linkage elements form the remaining bars.

A variable camber wing airfoil comprising:

• an aerodynamically continuous upper surface of the wing airfoil connected at its inner-end to fixed structure of the wing airfoil;
• a rib member fixedly hinged at its inner-end to fixed structure of the wing airfoil for rotation in a chordal plane and having its free-end extending outwardly therefrom toward the spanwise edge of the wing airfoil;
• means interconnecting the outerend of said upper surface with the free-end of the rib member such that the rib member supports the upper surface independently of the structural continuity of said upper surface;
• actuating means for rotating the rib member;
• and means for slaving the movement of said interconnecting means to the actuating means that impart rotational movement to the rib member, such that the upper surface is controllably bent in combination with torsionally twisting the outer-end of said upper surface about a relative spanwise axis to produce an external curvilinear contour thereto.

A variable camber wing airfoil comprising:

• an aerodynamically continuous upper surface of the wing airfoil connected at its inner-end to fixed structure of the wing airfoil;
• a rib member fixedly hinged at its inner-end to fixed structure of the wing airfoil for rotation in a chordal plane and having its free-end extending outwardly therefrom toward the spanwise edge of the wing airfoil;
• a pair of linkage elements interconnecting the outer-end of said upper surface with the free-end of the rib member;
• actuating means for rotating the rib member and means for slaving the movement of the pair of linkage elements to the actuating means that impart rotational movement to the rib member, such that the upper surface is controllably bent in combination with torsionally twisting the outer-end of said upper surface about a relative spanwise axis to produce an external curvilinear contour thereto, which provides an aerodynamically predetermined increase in camber to the wing airfoil;
• said pair of linkage elements being spaced apart chordwise to form a four-bar linkage arrangement wherein, the structure in the upper surface between the chordwise spaced connections of the pair of linkage elements forms on bar, the rib member structure between the chordwise spaced connections of the pair of linkage elements forms the other bar, and the pair of linkage elements form the remaining bars.

A variable camber airfoil having a rigid mid-portion and an angularly displaceable portion extending outwardly chordwise therefrom, comprising:

• an aerodynamically continuous bendable upper skin panel connected spanwise along its inner edge to fixed structure of the airfoil mid-portion;
• an airfoil edge forming structure rigidly fastened to the outer edge of the bendable upper skin panel;
• a rib member fixedly hinged at one end to the rigid mid-portion of the airfoil and having its free-end extending outwardly chordwise therefrom;
• connecting means spaced chordwise between the airfoil edge forming structure and the free-end of the rib member such that the rib member supports the airfoil edge forming structure and the bendable upper skin panel independently of the structural continuity of said bendable upper skin panel;
• actuating means for rotating the rib member about its hinged connection to swing the free-end of the rib member down, and through said connecting means bend the upper skin panel;
• and means for slaving the movement of said connecting means to the actuating means effecting rotation of the rib member, such that the upper skin panel is torsionally flexed to provide an aerodynamically predetermined external curvilinear contour thereto.

A variable camber airfoil having a rigid mid-portion and an angular displaceable portion extending outwardly chordwise therefrom, comprising:

• an aerodynamically continuous bendable upper skin panel connected spanwise along its inner edge to fixed structure of the airfoil mid-portion;
• an airfoil edge forming structure rigidly fastened to the outer edge of the bendable upper skin panel;
• a rib member fixedly hinged at one end to the rigid mid-portion of the airfoil and having its free-end extending outwardly chordwise therefrom;
• a pair of linkage elements spaced chordwise and providing pivotal connections between the airfoil edge forming structure and the free-end of the rib member;
• actuating means for rotating the rib member about its hinged connection to swing the free-end of the rib member down, and through the interconnecting pair of linkage elements, bend the upper skin panel;
• and means for slaving the movement of the pair of linkage elements to the actuating means effecting rotation of the rib member, such that the upper skin panel is torsionally flexed to provide an aerodynamically predetermined external curvilinear contour thereto, for increasing the camber of the airfoil;
• said pair of linkage elements forming a four-bar linkage arrangement wherein, the airfoil edge forming structure between the chordwise spaced pivotal connections of the pair of linkage elements forms one bar, the rib member chordwise structure between pivotal connections of the pair of linkage elements forms the other bar, and the pair of linkage elements form the remaining bars.

A variable camber airfoil having a rigid mid-portion and an angular displaceable portion extending outwardly chordwise therefrom having a spanwise edge forming structure along the outermost chordwise edge of the airfoil, said airfoil comprising:

• a bendable upper skin panel connected spanwise along its inner edge to fixed structure of the airfoil mid-portion and rigidly fastened spanwise along the outermost edge of the airfoil to the spanwise edge forming structure;
• said bendable upper skin panel forming a continuation of the upper surface of the airfoil;
• a rib member hinged for support at its inner-end adjacent to the upper surface of the airfoil to fixed structure of the airfoil mid-portion and with its free-end projecting chordwise outwardly from the airfoil mid-portion;
• a pair of linkage elements spaced chordwise and interconnecting the outwardly projecting free-end of the rib member, with the spanwise edge forming structure;
• said pair of linkage elements forming a four-bar linkage arrangement wherein, the spanwise edge forming structure between the chordwise spaced pivotal connections of the pair of linkage elements forms one bar, the rib member chordwise structure between pivotal connections of the pair of linkage elements forms the other bar, and the pair of linkage elements form the remaining bars;
• actuating means for effecting rotation of the rib member about a relatively spanwise axis fixed with respect to the fixed structure to bend the upper skin panel and means for slaving the movement of the four-bar linkage elements to the actuating means effecting rotation of the rib member, such that the bendable upper skin panel is torsionally flexed to provide an aerodynamically predetermined external curvilinear contour thereto, thereby, increasing efficiency of the airfoil camber.

A variable camber apparatus for the leading edge portion of an airfoil, comprising:

• an aerodynamically continuous upper surface flexible skin panel of the airfoil connected at its inner-end to fixed structure of the airfoil;
• a rib member having an aft-end fixedly hinged to fixed structure of the airfoil for rotation in a chordwise plane and having a forward-end extending toward the leading edge of the airfoil;
• means connecting a leading edge portion of the upper surface panel with the forward-end of the rib member such that the rib member supports said leading edge portion independently of the structural continuity of said upper surface flexible skin panel;
• means for rotating the rib member about its hinged aft-end;
• means operatively associated with the means that impart rotational movement to the rib member for producing a motion in said means connecting the leading edge portion with the forward-end of the rib member so as to controllably bend the upper surface panel in combination with torsionally twisting the leading edge portion of the upper surface panel about a relatively spanwise axis, so as to impart a flexuous curvature thereto and thereby vary the camber of the airfoil.

A variable camber apparatus for the leading edge portion of an airfoil, comprising:

• an aerodynamically continuous upper surface flexible skin panel of the airfoil connected at its inner-end to fixed structure of the airfoil;
• a rib member having an aft-end fixedly hinged to fixed structure of the airfoil for rotation in a chordwise plane and having a forward-end extending toward the leading edge of the airfoil, a linkage mechanism connecting a leading edge portion of the upper surface panel with the forward-end of the rib member;
• means for rotating the rib member about its hinged aft-end;
• means operatively associated with the means that impart rotational movement to the rib member for producing a kinematic motion in said linkage mechanism so as to controllably bend the upper surface panel in combination with torsionally twisting the leading edge portion of the upper surface panel about a relatively spanwise axis, so as to impart a flexuous curvature thereto and thereby vary the camber of the airfoil;
• said linkage mechanism comprises a pair of linkage elements spaced apart chordwise and forming a four-bar linkage arrangement wherein, the structure in the upper surface between the chordwise spaced connection of the pair of linkage elements forms one bar, the rib member structure between the chordwise spaced connections of the pair of linkage elements forms the other bar, and the pair of linkage elements form the remaining bars.

A variable camber apparatus for the leading edge portion of an airfoil, comprising:

• a leading edge nose structure;
• an aerodynamically continuous bendable upper surface panel having a forward-end rigidly fastened to the leading edge nose structure;
• a chordwise rib beam member having a aft-end portion hinged to fixed support structure of the airfoil for rotation in a chordwise plane about a relatively spanwise axis fixed with respect to the fixed structure and having a forward-end portion extending to the leading edge nose structure;
• means connecting the leading edge nose structure with the forward-end portion of the rib beam member such that the rib beam member supports the leading edge nose structure and the bendable upper surface panel independently of the structural continuity of said bendable upper surface panel;
• means for rotating the rib beam member about its hinged aft-end portion;
• means operatively associated with the means that impart rotational movement to the rib beam member for slaving the rotational movement of the leading edge nose structure to the rotational movement of the rib beam member so as to controllably bend the upper surface panel and in combination, torsionally rotate the leading edge nose structure about a relatively spanwise axis to impart a flexuous curvature into said panel to thereby vary the camber of the airfoil.

A variable camber apparatus for the leading edge portion of an airfoil, comprising:

• a leading edge nose structure;
• an aerodynamically continuous bendable upper surface panel having a forward-end rigidly fastened to the leading edge nose structure;
• a chordwise rib beam member having an aft-end portion fixedly hinged to fixed support structure of the airfoil for rotation in a chordwise plane about a relatively spanwise axis and having a forward-end portion extending to the leading edge nose structure;
• a linkage mechanism connecting the leading edge nose structure with the forward-end portion of the rib beam member;
• means for rotating the rib beam member about its hinged aft-end portion;
• means operatively associated with the means that impact rotational movement to the rib beam member for slaving the rotational movement of the leading edge nose structure to the rotational movement of the rib beam member so as to controllably bend the upper surface panel and in combination, torsionally rotate the leading edge nose structure about a relatively spanwise axis to impart a flexuous curvature into said panel to thereby vary the camber of the airfoil;
• said linkage mechanism connecting the leading edge nose structure with the forward-end portion of the rib beam member, comprises a pair of linkage elements spaced apart chordwise and forming a four-bar linkage arrangement wherein, the structure in the upper surface between the chordwise spaced connections of the pair of linkage elements forms one bar, the rib member structure between the chordwise spaced connections of the pair of linkage elements forms the other bar, and the pair of linkage elements form the remaining bars.

A variable camber apparatus for the leading edge portion of an airfoil having a chord reference plane, comprising:

• a leading edge nose structure, a bendable upper surface having a forward-end rigidly fastened to the leading edge nose structure and an aft-end connected to fixed structure of the airfoil;
• a chordwise rib beam member having an aft-end portion pivotally connected to fixed structure of the airfoil for rotation in a plane normal to the airfoil chord reference plane about a relatively spanwise axis fixed with respect to the fixed structure and having a forward-end portion extending to the leading edge nose structure;
• said chordwise rib beam member and said leading edge nose structure each having a chordwise reference line coincident with the airfoil chord reference plane when the apparatus for varying the camber of the airfoil is at its noncambering position;
• means connecting the leading edge nose structure with the forward-end portion of the rib beam member such that the rib beam member supports the leading edge nose structure and the bendable upper surface independently of the structural continuity of said bendable upper surface;
• means for rotating the rib beam member about its aft-end portion;
• means operatively associated with the means that impart rotational movement to the rib beam member for slaving the rotational movement of the leading edge nose structure to the rotational movement of the rib beam member so that the leading edge nose structure is rotated at a greater angular rate than that of the chordwise rib beam member such that the chordwise reference line of the leading edge nose structure is at a greater angular deflection from the airfoil chord reference plane than that of the chordwise rib beam member for controllably bending the upper surface in combination with imparting a torsional twist about a relatively spanwise axis to the leading edge portion of the bendale upper surface through its rigid attachment to the leading edge nose structure so as to flexuously bend said upper surface and thereby vary the camber of the airfoil.

A variable camber apparatus for the leading edge portion of an airfoil having a chord reference plane, comprising:

• a leading edge nose structure;
• a bendable upper surface having a forward-end rigidly fastened to the leading edge nose structure and an aft-end connected to fixed structure of the airfoil;
• a chordwise rib beam member having an aft-end portion pivotally connected to fixed structure of the airfoil for rotation in a plane normal to the airfoil chord reference plane about a relatively spanwise axis fixed with respect to the fixed structure and having a forward-end portion extending to the leading edge nose structure;
• said chordwise rib beam member and said leading edge nose structure each having a chordwise reference line coincident with the airfoil chord reference plane when the apparatus for varying the camber of the airfoil is at its noncambering position;
• a linkage mechanism connecting the leading edge nose structure with the forward-end portion of the rib beam member;
• means for rotating the rib beam member about its aft-end portion;
• means operatively associated with the means that impart rotational movement to the rib beam member for slaving the rotational movement of the leading edge nose structure to the rotational movement of the rib beam member so that the leading edge nose structure is rotated at a greater angular rate than that of the chordwise rib beam member such that the chordwise reference line of the leading edge nose structure is at a greater angular deflection from the airfoil chord reference plane than that of the chordwise rib beam member for controllably bending the upper surface in combination with imparting a torsional twist about a relatively spanwise axis to the leading edge portion of the bendable upper surface through its rigid attachment to the leading edge nose structure so as to flexuously bend said uppper surface and thereby vary the camber of the airfoil;
• said linkage mechanism connecting the leading edge nose structure with the forward-end portion of the rib beam member, comprises a pair of linkage elements spaced apart chordwise and forming a four-bar linkage arrangement wherein, the structure in the upper surface between the chordwise spaced connections of the pair of linkage elements forms one bar, the rib member structure between the chordwise spaced connections of the pair of linkage elements forms the other bar, and the pair of linkage elements form the remaining bars.

A variable camber apparatus for the leading edge portion of an airfoil, comprising:

• a leading edge nose structure;
• a bendable upper surface having an inner-end connected to rigid structure of the airfold and an outer-end rigidly fastened to the leading edge of the nose structure;
• a rib member pivotally mounted about its aft-end to rigid structure of the airfoil;
• interconnecting means between the leading edge nose structure and the rib member for supporting the leading edge nose structure and the bendable upper surface independently of the structural continuity of said bendable upper surface;
• actuating means for rotating the rib member about its aft, fixed, pivotal support to bend the upper surface;
• and means for slaving the movement of said interconnecting means to the rotational movement of the rib member for torsionally rotating the leading edge nose structure to control the curvilinear contour of the bendable upper surface and provide an aerodynamically predetermined increase in camber to the airfoil.

A variable camber apparatus for the leading edge portion of an airfoil, comprising:

• a leading edge nose structure;
• a bendable upper surface having an inner-end connected to rigid structure of the airfoil and an outer-end rigidly fastened to the leading edge of the nose structure;
• a rib member pivotally mounted about its aft-end to rigid structure of the airfoil, nose linkage means interconnecting the leading edge nose structure with the rib member;
• actuating means for rotating the rib member about it aft, fixed, pivotal support to bend the upper surface;
• and means for slaving the movement of the nose linkage means to the rotational movement of the rib member for torsionally rotating the leading edge nose structure to control the curvilinear contour of the bendable upper surface for providing an aerodynamically predetermined increase in camber to the airfoil;
• said nose linkage means, comprises a pair of linkage elements spaced apart chordwise and forming a four-bar linkage arrangement wherein, the structure in the upper surface between the chordwise spaced connections of the pair of linkage elements forms one bar, the rib member structure between the chordwise spaced connections of the pair of linkage elements forms the other bar, and the pair of linkage elements forms the remaining bars.

A variable camber apparatus for the leading edge portion of an airfoil having a rigid mid-portion and an angular displaceable portion extending forwardly chordwise therefrom, comprising:

• a bendable upper skin panel connected spanwise along its aft-edge to fixed structure of the airfoil mid-portion;
• an airfoil leading edge forming structure rigidly fastened to the forward edge of the bendable upper skin panel;
• a rib member fixedly hinged at its inner-end to the rigid mid-portion of the airfoil and having its free-end extending forwardly chordwise therefrom;
• interconnecting means between the airfoil leading edge forming structure and the free-end of the rib member for supporting the airfoil leading edge forming structure and the bendable upper skin panel independently of the structural continuity of said bendable upper skin panel;
• actuating means for rotating the rib member about its hinged connection to swing the free-end of the rib member down and, through the interconnecting means, bend the upper skin panel;
• and means for slaving the movement of the interconnecting means to the actuating means effecting rotation of the rib member, such that the upper skin panel is torsionally flexed to provide an aerodynamically predetermined external curvilinear contour thereto, for increasing the camber of the airfoil.

A variable camber apparatus for the leading edge portion of an airfoil having a rigid mid-portion and an angular displaceable portion extending forwardly chordwise therefrom, comprising:

• a bendable upper skin panel connected spanwise along its aft-edge to fixed structure of the airfoil mid-portion;
• an airfoil leading edge forming structure rigidly fastened to the forward edge of the bendable upper skin panel;
• a rib member fixedly hinged at its inner-end to the rigid mid-portion of the airfoil and having its free-end extending forwardly chordwise therefrom;
• a pair of linkage elements spaced apart chordwise and providing pivotal connections between the airfoil leading edge forming structure and the free-end of the rib member, actuating means for rotating the rib member about its hinged connection to swing the free-end of the rib member down, and through the interconnecting pair of linkage elements, bend the upper skin panel;
• and means for slaving the movement of the pair of linkage elements to the actuating means effecting rotation of the rib member, such that the upper skin panel is torsionally flexed to provide an aerodynamically predetermined external curvilinear contour thereto, for increasing the camber of the airfoil;
• said pair of linkage elements form a four-bar linkage arrangement wherein, the airfoil leading edge forming structure between the chordwise spaced pivotal connections of the pair of linkage elements forms one bar, the rib member chordwise structure between pivotal connections of the pair of linkage elements forms the other bar, and the pair of linkage elements form the remaining bars.

A variable camber apparatus for the leading edge portion of an airfoil having a rigid mid-portion and an angular displaceable portion extending forwardly chordwise therefrom having an airfoil leading edge forming structure, comprising:

• a bendable upper skin panel connected spanwise along its aft-edge to fixed structure of the airfoil mid-portion and rigidly attached spanwise along its forward edge to the airfoil leading edge forming structure;
• said bendable upper skin panel forming a forward continuation of the upper surface of the airfoil mid-portion;
• a contractable lower surface;
• a rib member hinged for support at its aft-end, adjacent to the upper surface of the airfoil, to fixed structure of the airfoil mid-portion and having a forward-end projecting toward the leading edge of the airfoil;
• a pair of linkage elements spaced apart chordwise and interconnecting the forward projecting end of the rib member, with the airfoil leading edge forming structure;
• said pair of linkage elements forming a four-bar linkage arrangement wherein, the airfoil leading edge forming structure between the chordwise spaced connections of the pair of linkage elements forms one bar, the rib member structure between the chordwise spaced connections of the pair of linkage elements forms the other bar, and the pair of linkage elements form the remaining bars;
• actuating means for effecting rotation of the rib member about a fixed spanwise axis to bend the upper skin panel and contract the lower surface;
• and means for slaving the movement of the four-bar linkage elements, to the actuating means effecting rotation of the rib member, such that the bendable upper skin panel controllably flexed torsionally to provide an aerodynamically predetermined external curvilinear contour thereto, thereby, efficiently increasing the camber of the airfoil.