Sealing assembly for reducing gaps between movable control surfaces of an aircraft

#1. Field of the Invention

#The invention relates to the field of low observable aircraft and the like and, in particular, to a sealing assembly for reducing the radar return signal produced by the gaps between flight control members, such as ailerons and flaps.

#2. Description of Related Art

#FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of an aircraft particularly illustrating the control members on the trailing edge of the wing.

#FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 1 taken along the arrow indicated by numeral 2, particularly illustrating the first and second bulb seals of the subject sealing assembly installed on the aileron and adjacent wing structure.

#FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the aileron shown in FIG. 2 taken along the line 3--3, particularly illustrating the portion of the sealing assembly mounted on the aileron.

#Referring to FIG. 1, which is a partial view of an aircraft, designated by numeral 10, it can be seen that the aircraft includes a wing 12 with leading and trailing edges 14 and 16, respectively. Because the leading and trailing edges, 14 and 16, are major contributors to the RCS of the aircraft, special attention must be paid to the design thereof. Reducing the RCS is complicated do to the numerous aerodynamic control members mounted on the trailing edge 16, which include an aileron 18 separated by fixed adjacent wing structure 20 from two flap segments 22 and 23 (their extended position is designated by numerals 18A, 22A and 23A and indicated in dotted lines).

#Still referring to FIG. 1 and additionally to FIG. 4, in order to reduce the RCS, the rear and side sections of the aileron 18 and adjacent structure 20, outlined in dotted lines and indicated by numerals 24 and 26, respectively, are typically made of low dielectric material honeycomb core 28 and 30, respectively with a graphite loaded coating (not shown). Cover sheets 32 and 34, also made of low dielectric material, are bonded about the cores 28 and 30, respectively. The exterior surfaces 35 of the aircraft's wing 12 are covered with a radar absorbing coating 36. The exterior surfaces of the aileron 18 and adjacent structure 20 are indicated by numerals 38 and 40, respectively; while the coatings thereon are indicated by numerals 42 and 44, respectively. The composition of the coating 36, 42 and 44, will be subsequently discussed in further detail.

#Still referring to FIG. 1 and additionally to FIGS. 2 and 4, it can be seen that a gap, indicated by numeral 46, exists between the side 48 of the aileron 18 and the side 49 of the adjacent structure 20. As previously stated, the gap 46, is necessary to ensure that the wing structure 20 does not interfere with the motion of the aileron 18, especially when the wing 12 is flexing due to aerodynamic loads. Thus a gap would be necessary even if all manufacturing tolerances could be eliminated.