Extendible leading edge flap

Abstract

A flight control system comprises trailing edge airfoil members pivotally mounted at the trailing edge of each wing of an aircraft and selectively movable on a laterally extending axis between raised and lowered positions for imparting rolling motion to the aircraft. Leading edge airfoil members mounted adjacent the leading edge on each of the wings are movable transversely of the leading edge between a retracted position generally coextensive with the leading edge and an extended position protruding from the leading edge for imparting countervailing aerodynamic forces on the wings to counteract the effects of aeroelastic wing deformation caused in response to operation of the trailing edge airfoil members by increasing the angle of attack of the wing and lift producing surface area of the wing. A pair of actuator mechanisms are mounted on a wing box member at laterally spaced locations for moving the leading edge airfoil members between the retracted and extended positions. The actuator mechanisms are operable simultaneously such that, in one instance, they move the upper and lower control rods in unison to move the leading edge airfoil member between the retracted and extended positions with no change in its angular position relative to the wing and, in another instance, move the leading edge airfoil members to the extended position while exhibiting a nose down position relative to the wing and, in still another instance, move the leading edge airfoil members to the extended position while exhibiting a nose up position relative to the wing.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.