Method and apparatus for deploying a wing
AssigneeUnited Technologies Corporation
InventorsJeffrey A. Fisher, Edward V. Miller, Dennis Van Dam
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The deployable wing of the present invention comprises an internal structure having diverging leading edge spars attached to a keel spar and cross spars to form a delta wing configuration. This internal structure is enclosed within a volume defined by a fabric sail having an upper section, a lower section, and fabric ribs disposed therebetween. This fabric sail volume is internally pressurized through a ram air intake at the nose stagnation point. This deployable wing can be folded, extracted from an aircraft and deployed in the air.
Claims24
A deployable wing, comprising:
- a.) a fabric sail having an upper section joined to a lower section and including an air intake opening;
- b.) an internal structure disposed substantially between said upper section and said lower section, said internal structure including at least two leading edge spars joined at a first end, a keel adjacent to and disposed substantially between said leading edge spars, and at least two cross spars pivotally attached to said leading edge spars and said keel;
- and
- c.) a detachable extension removable mounted to said wing.
A deployable wing, comprising:
- a fabric sail having an upper section joined to a lower section and including an air intake opening;
- an internal structure disposed substantially between said upper section and said lower section, said internal structure including at least two leading edge spars joined at a first end, a keel adjacent and disposed substantially between said leading edge spars, and at least two cross spars pivotally attached to said leading edge spars and said keel;
- a wing mounting member adjacent to and connected to said keel;
- a detachable extension removably mounted to said mounting member, said detachable extension includes a deployment assist mechanism mounted thereto, said deployment assist mechanism initiating movement of said leading edge spars upon deployment of said wing, said deployment assist mechanism includes a slider assembly and at least one tubular member,
- said slider assembly includes at least one spring member, said spring member being mounted at either end to a slider, said sliders and said at least one spring member being circumferentially disposed about said at least one tubular member for longitudinal movement therealong;
- wherein said detachable extension is removably mounted to said wing mounting member.
A deployable wing, comprising:
- a fabric sail having an upper section joined to a lower section and including an air intake opening;
- an internal structure disposed substantially between said upper section and said lower section, said internal structure including at least two leading edge spars joined at a first end, a keel adjacent and disposed substantially between said leading edge spars, said keel includes a slider mounted thereto, said slider being movable in a longitudinal direction along said keel, a wing mounting member adjacent and connected to said keel, and at least two cross spars pivotally attached to said leading edge spars and said keel;
- a releasable pulley mechanism mounted to said slider and, a detachable extension removably mounted to said mounting member;
- wherein longitudinal movement of said slider causes corresponding longitudinal movement of said pulley mechanism.
A deployable wing, comprising:
- a.) a fabric sail having an upper section joined to a lower section and including an air intake opening;
- b.) a keel member substantially disposed within said fabric sail, said keel including a slider mounted thereto, said slider being movable in a longitudinal direction along said keel;
- c.) a releasable pulley mechanism mounted to said slider, wherein longitudinal movement of said slider causes corresponding longitudinal movement of said pulley mechanism.
A method for deploying a wing, said wing including a pair of leading edge spars joined at a first end, a keel adjacent to and disposed substantially between said leading edge spars, a slider mounted to said keel, and at least two cross spars pivotally attached to said leading edge spars and said slider, said method comprising the steps of:
- a) moving the wing from a pre-deployed configuration to an open configuration, said movement including;
- i. moving said leading edge spars from a first position substantially parallel to said keel to a second position at an angle with respect to said keel;
- ii. moving said slider longitudinally along said keel;
- iii. moving said at least two cross spars from a closed position, substantially parallel to said keel, to an open position extending from said keel;
- iv. moving a pulley mechanism attached to said slider longitudinally along said keel;
- b) disengaging a detachable extension mounted to said wing by a mounting member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.