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US 4,542,869 AGranted
Flap mechanism
AssigneeMcDonnell Douglas Corporation
InventorGerald T. Brine
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A mechanism for supporting and translating a wing trailing edge flap system. The flap is pivotally supported by a carriage and track at one point and the free ternary link of a four-bar linkage at a second point, to combine and form an overall six-bar linkage system of the Stephenson III type.
Claims6
An extending and retracting mechanism for a trailing edge flap system attached to an aircraft wing, said wing having fixed structure, comprising:
- track means mounted on said fixed structure of said wing;
- carriage means engaging said track means for sliding movement on said track;
- at least a main flap segment pivotally attached to said carriage means;
- a four-bar linkage, having four pin connected links, with a first link grounded to structure and a second link opposite said first link, pin connected to said flap so as to make said second link a free ternary link and said four-bar linkage combines with said track and carriage to form a six-bar linkage of the Stephenson III type;
- and
- drive means for rotating one link of said four-bar linkage so that said carriage moves on said track translating said flap while rotating said flap about said pivotal connection to said carriage means.
3 more elements
A mechanism for extending and retracting an aircraft wing trailing edge flap from and to a nested position adjacent fixed structure at the trailing end of the wing comprising:
- a rotary drive having a rotating output shaft, attached to said fixed structure;
- a drive link fixedly attached to said rotating output shaft;
- a second link pivotally attached to said drive link at a point spaced from said output shaft connection;
- a third link pivotally connected to said second link at a point on said second link spaced from said drive link connection and pivotally connected at a second point to said fixed structure so as to form an imaginary fourth link with said rotating shaft, said fourth link being grounded, to complete a four-bar linkage;
- a flap pivotally connected to said second link so as to make said second link a free ternary link;
- a carriage pivotally attached to said flap at a point remote from said pivotal connection of said flap to said second link;
- and
- a track mounted on said fixed structure and adapted to slideably engage said carriage so that the combination of the four-bar linkage with the carriage and track and their pivotal attachments to the flap produce a six-bar linkage of the Stephenson III type.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.