US3883094A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Foldable canard assembly
Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
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Filing: 1973-11-01
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Granted: 1975-05-13
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Expires: 1993-11-01
Abstract
Abstract A foldable canard assembly for aircraft which have a device for effecting artificial stability and flight control apparatus. The canard assembly comprises a pair of wing units extendable laterally of the aircraft and adjustable about an axis longitudinally arranged of the aircraft to a position extending downwardly therefrom wherein said wing units cooperate together to form a single fin. The axis is preferably located at the bottom of a forward portion of the aircraft fuselage and the wing units are adjustable as desired between fully extended and fully folded positions. A control device is also provided for modifying the horizontal stabilizer surfaces of the tail unit to modify the lift generated thereby in order to compensate for the lift of the canards and thereby maintain longitudinal vertical stability of the aircraft.
Inventors
- 👤 Andreas Mederer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 19:07
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64C; B64C5/00; B64C5/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
189 words
A foldable canard assembly for an aircraft having a fuselage, a main aerodynamic wing mounted on the mid section of said fuselage of said aircraft and a vertical tail assembly and a horizontal elevator assembly mounted on the aft section of said fuselage of said aircraft, comprising: a pair of equally sized and separate canards mounted on the forward section and each having means defining an airfoil thereon; and a pair of pivot means mounted on said aircraft fuselage forward of said main wing and defining a pair of pivot axes extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of said aircraft for pivotally securing said pair of separate canards to said aircraft, said pair of separate canards being pivotal between a first position wherein said canards both extend vertically downward from said aircraft fuselage and a second position wherein both of said canards extend horizontally and generally tangent to the lower surface of said forward section of said aircraft fuselage, said canards, when in said first position, extending in a parallel and contacting relation along their length so that said pair of vertically extending airfoils together define a single airfoil.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
189 words
A foldable canard assembly for an aircraft having a fuselage, a main aerodynamic wing mounted on the mid section of said fuselage of said aircraft and a vertical tail assembly and a horizontal elevator assembly mounted on the aft section of said fuselage of said aircraft, comprising: a pair of equally sized and separate canards mounted on the forward section and each having means defining an airfoil thereon; and a pair of pivot means mounted on said aircraft fuselage forward of said main wing and defining a pair of pivot axes extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of said aircraft for pivotally securing said pair of separate canards to said aircraft, said pair of separate canards being pivotal between a first position wherein said canards both extend vertically downward from said aircraft fuselage and a second position wherein both of said canards extend horizontally and generally tangent to the lower surface of said forward section of said aircraft fuselage, said canards, when in said first position, extending in a parallel and contacting relation along their length so that said pair of vertically extending airfoils together define a single airfoil.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
A foldable canard assembly according to claim 1, wherein said pair of pivot means are located on the underside of said forward section and said pivot axes are laterally offset from a vertical plane containing the central longitudinal axis for said aircraft a small distance sufficient to permit said pair of canards to pivot and contact each other when in said first position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
A foldable canard assembly according to claim 2, wherein said small distance is equal to the spacing between one of said pivot axes and one of the opposed airfoil surfaces on one of said canards when in said first position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A foldable canard assembly according to claim 1, including control means for coordinating the movement of said canards with the control offered by said horizontal elevator assembly.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A foldable canard assembly according to claim 4, wherein said horizontal elevator assembly has high-lift means thereon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A foldable canard assembly according to claim 5, wherein said high-lift means includes airfoil means having a profile with a positive center-line curvature.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-05-12 | 1978-11-11 | 1979-05-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-12 | 1982-11-11 | 1983-05-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-12 | 1986-11-11 | 1987-05-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |