US 4,784,355 A · Flap system for short takeoff and landing aircraft

Abstract

A flap system for deploying high lift flaps on short takeoff and landing aircraft. The flap system utilizes an activating mechanism 27 that is used to extend a flap 12, a vane 22 and a spoiler 18 for maximum lift. The mechanism 27 utilizes relatively few linkage pieces and attached to the flap at single pivot points 44. The flap is supported by an actuator 46 and flap hinge support bracket 30. Increased mechanism rigidity and single pivot mountings allow use of roller 75 and track 74 guides at flap ends 78, 80 to smoothly guide flap movement and provide a fail-safe in case of pivot mounting failure. Spherical bearings 86 are utilized for mounting of rollers 75 and actuators 46, 60 in order to compensate for misalignment of the flap 12 and the flap mechanism 27 when used with tapered flaps on swept wing aircraft. The spoiler 22 is joined by a guide link 62 that adjusts spoiler position with flap 12 movement in order to maximize lift. The spoiler can also be used conventionally by activation of actuator 60.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A flap system for an aircraft comprising:

(a) an aircraft wing having a trailing edge;
(b) a flap support fixedly mounted to the trailing edge of said wing;
(c) a wing flap having inboard and outboard ends and a fixedly attached flap mounting bracket which is pivotably mounted at a single pivot point to said flap support;
(d) a flap linear actuator pivotably attached directly to said flap support and directly attached to said wing flap mounting bracket for adjusting flap position relative to the aircraft wing;
(e) a single vane fixedly attached to said wing flap for coordinated movement therewith;
(f) a spoiler pivotably attached to said flap support;
(g) a spoiler linear actuator pivotably attached to said spoiler for independent spoiler actuation;
and
(h) a link member pivotably connected directly to said flap mounting bracket and to a crank arm which is connected to said spoiler actuator for coordinating spoiler movement with flap movement in order to provide a double slotted flap system for increased lift.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Flap system for short takeoff and landing aircraft

Life of this patent

Flap system for short takeoff and landing aircraft

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17