US 5,240,203 AGranted

Folding wing structure with a flexible cover

AssigneeHughes Missile Systems Company

InventorGlenn G. Myers

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

A folding wing structure for improved missile aerodynamic performance and manuverability with a minimum payload space requirement which comprises a leading edge spar and at least one trailing edge spar spaced apart from each other by a plurality of transverse ribs, the spars being approximately parallel to each other with the ribs positioned along the spars to divide the structure into a series of parallelograms. The spars and ribs are pivotally joined together with the spars being further pivotally joined to an air frame of an aerodynamic vehicle or missile. In a folded position the spars and rib structure collapse to occupy a minimal amount of volume in a recessed area of the air frame. A spring or piston member secured to at least one, spar forces the spars apart and out from the fuselage to an erected wing position at predetermined sweep angles relative to the fuselage.

Claims12

Dependent claims

A folding wing structure for use on missiles or airborne munitions which have an air frame surrounded by a housing, said wing structure comprising:

a leading edge spar pivotally mounted on a first end to said air frame a predetermined distance inside of said housing, said leading edge spar being pivotable between a retracted position with said leading edge spar being enclosed inside of said housing and a deployed position with a substantial portion of said leading edge spar extending outside of said housing at a predetermined sweep angle;
a trailing edge spar pivotally mounted on a first end to said air frame further inside of said housing than said leading edge spar, said trailing edge spar being pivotable between a retracted position with said trailing edge spar being enclosed inside of said housing and a deployed position with a substantial portion of said trailing edge spar extending outside of said housing at said sweep angle, said first end being spaced apart from said leading edge spar first end by a distance corresponding to a predetermined width for the wing structure when in a deployed position;
a plurality of cross ribs pivotally mounted in a substantially parallel manner between said leading edge spar and said trailing edge spar to extend therebetween so as to form a series of parallelograms with said spars;
a flexible cover disposed around and enveloping the folding structure formed by said leading and trailing edge spars and cross ribs;
means for defining a recess in said housing positioned about said wing structure in a retracted position;
and
deployment means for automatically pivoting said leading edge spar to said erected position.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.