Aileron segment control for a flaperon system

In an aircraft wing flaperon system comprising a flap segment, an aileron segment attached to the flap segment and having an axis of rotation, and means to extend and retract the flaperon, an improved aileron segment control system comprising:

• a first shaft rotatably mounted in the wing adjacent the flaperon and having its longitudinal axis oriented substantially parallel to the flaperon extension and retraction path;
• power means connected to and adapted to rotate said first shaft;
• an aileron segment rotation means mounted on the flap segment and operatively connected to the aileron segment for rotating that segment about its axis of rotation;
• a first shaft rotation transfer means mounted and translatable on said first shaft, having a second shaft offset from said first shaft, and a second shaft rotation means adapted to rotate said second shaft responsive to the rotation of said first shaft;
• and
• a connecting means operatively connected to the second shaft and said aileron segment rotation means and adapted to transmit rotation of said second shaft to said aileron segment rotation means;
• whereby, as the flaperon extends or retracts said first shaft rotation transfer means translates along said first shaft, and aileron segment rotation is accomplished by rotation of said first shaft.

In an aircraft wing flaperon system comprising a flap segment, an aileron segment attached to the flap segment and having an axis of rotation, and means to extend and retract the flaperon, an improved aileron segment control system comprising:

• first and second shafts rotatably mounted in the wing, said first shaft mounted on the inboard side of the flaperon, and said second shaft mounted on the outboard side of the flaperon, both of said shafts having their longitudinal axes substantially parallel to the flaperon extension and retraction path;
• a power means operatively connected to said first and second shafts and adopted to rotate said first and second shafts in unison;
• first and second aileron segment rotation means fixed to opposite sides of the flap segment, to rotate the aileron segment about its axis of rotation;
• first and second shaft rotation transfer means respectively mounted and translatable on said first and second shafts, each such transfer means having an output shaft offset from its respective said first or second shaft, each adapted for transferring rotation of said first and second shafts respectively to said first and second outputs shafts;
• and
• first and second connecting means, connected to said first output shaft and said first aileron segment rotation means and said second connecting means connected to said second output shaft and said second aileron segment rotation means for causing their rotation;
• whereby, as the flaperon extends or retracts said first and second shaft rotation means respectively translate along said first and second shafts and aileron segment rotation is accomplished by rotation of said first and second shafts.

In an aircraft wing flaperon system comprising a flap, flap power means and means driven thereby to extend and retract the flap, and an aileron segment contained within, defining a portion of and attached to the flap for rotation relative to the flap about an axis of rotation, an improved aileron segment control system comprising:

• aileron segment rotation power means connected to receive pilot means comprising:
• a motor connected to receive actuation signals from the aircraft pilot, and
• a drive shaft connected to said motor to be driven in rotation thereby, said drive shaft being mounted in the wing substantially parallel to the flaperon extension and retraction path;
• a first power transfer means including:
• a hollow gear slidably engaging and rotatable by said drive shaft,
• a second gear engaging and driven in rotation by said hollow gear, and
• an output shaft engaging and driven in rotation by said second gear;
• said first power transfer means attached to and caused to move with the flap by the means to extend and retract and connected to both said aileron segment rotation power means and said output shaft such that said output shaft is driven responsive to pilot inputs;
• a second power means fixed to and movable with the flap and having:
• an input shaft attached to receive power from said first power transfer means, and
• a power output means attached to the aileron segment for rotating the aileron segment about its axis of rotation;
• and
• flexible drive means connecting said output shaft of said first power transfer means to said input shaft of said second power transfer means for driving said power output means of said second transfer means in rotation.