US3910530A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Leading edge flap
Assignee: Boeing Co
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Filing: 1973-11-07
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Granted: 1975-10-07
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Expires: 1993-11-07
Abstract
Abstract An aircraft wing incorporates a leading edge flap which is retractable into an opening provided in the bottom surface of the wing. The flap is actuated by compact linkage which allows room for auxiliary equipment in the leading edge portion of the wing forward of the forwardmost main spar. The flap includes a surface panel having a rigid rear section which when retracted into the wing forms a part of the bottom airfoil surface of the wing and a flexible central section which when extended is curved to form a portion of the flap airfoil surface and when retracted is partially straightened out to conform to the contour of the bottom airfoil surface of the wing. A bullnose is pivotally mounted on rigid structure forming a part of the flap. When the flap is extended, the bullnose forms a downward and rearward extension of the flap airfoil surface. Upon retraction of the flap, the bullnose is folded inwardly to a tucked position above the flap and inside the wing. A link, interconnecting the bullnose and the central section of the flap surface panel, causes the central section to flex between its extended position and its retracted position responsive to movement of the bullnose.
Inventors
- 👤 Varnell L James
- 👤 Eugene G Hill
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 00:04
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64C; B64C9/00; B64C9/14; B64C9/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
472 words
Leading edge flap apparatus retractable into an opening in the lower airfoil surface of an aircraft wing, said opening being located rearwardly of the leading edge portion thereof, comprising: flap means defining an airfoil section and having a rigid trailing surface panel, a rigid structural member rigidly affixed to said trailing surface panel, a flexible central surface panel integrally connected to said trailing surface panel, a rib rigidly connected to said rigid structural member, said rib being spaced from and extending downwardly and forwardly below said central surface panel when said flap means is in an extended position, and a bullnose, said bullnose being pivotally connected at a first point thereon to said rib, a first arm having one end thereof rigidly connected to said rigid structural member, the other end thereof being pivotally connected to said wing adjacent to and rearwardly of said leading edge, a crank means pivotally connected at a first point between the ends thereof to said first arm, a flange connected to said flexible central surface panel at a location adjacent said bullnose, first link means pivotally connected to said crank means at a second point thereon, said second point on said crank means being spaced from said first point on said crank means, and pivotally connected to said bullnose at a point thereon spaced from said first point on said bullnose, second link means pivotally connected to said bullnose at a point thereon spaced from said first point on said bullnose and pivotally connected to said flange, actuating means mounted in said wing rearwardly of said leading edge and movable between at least a first and a second position, said actuating means operatively connected to said crank means, said actuating means in said first position causing said flap means to retract into said opening and in said second position causing said flap means to extend downwardly and forwardly from said opening and causing movement of said crank means and said first link means such that said bullnose is pivoted to a position downwardly of and adjacent to said central panel to form a smooth leading edge flap surface, said actuating means in said first position cooperating with said crank means and said first and second link means to fold said bullnose to a position above said central panel and to flex said central panel to conform to the curvature of the bottom airfoil surface of said wing, said actuating means in said second position cooperating with said crank means and said first and second link means to flex said central panel to form a smooth curved upper surface for said flap means in conjunction with said trailing panel and to pivot said bullnose to operably mate with the forward edge of said central panel to form a downward and rearward continuation of said curved upper surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
472 words
Leading edge flap apparatus retractable into an opening in the lower airfoil surface of an aircraft wing, said opening being located rearwardly of the leading edge portion thereof, comprising: flap means defining an airfoil section and having a rigid trailing surface panel, a rigid structural member rigidly affixed to said trailing surface panel, a flexible central surface panel integrally connected to said trailing surface panel, a rib rigidly connected to said rigid structural member, said rib being spaced from and extending downwardly and forwardly below said central surface panel when said flap means is in an extended position, and a bullnose, said bullnose being pivotally connected at a first point thereon to said rib, a first arm having one end thereof rigidly connected to said rigid structural member, the other end thereof being pivotally connected to said wing adjacent to and rearwardly of said leading edge, a crank means pivotally connected at a first point between the ends thereof to said first arm, a flange connected to said flexible central surface panel at a location adjacent said bullnose, first link means pivotally connected to said crank means at a second point thereon, said second point on said crank means being spaced from said first point on said crank means, and pivotally connected to said bullnose at a point thereon spaced from said first point on said bullnose, second link means pivotally connected to said bullnose at a point thereon spaced from said first point on said bullnose and pivotally connected to said flange, actuating means mounted in said wing rearwardly of said leading edge and movable between at least a first and a second position, said actuating means operatively connected to said crank means, said actuating means in said first position causing said flap means to retract into said opening and in said second position causing said flap means to extend downwardly and forwardly from said opening and causing movement of said crank means and said first link means such that said bullnose is pivoted to a position downwardly of and adjacent to said central panel to form a smooth leading edge flap surface, said actuating means in said first position cooperating with said crank means and said first and second link means to fold said bullnose to a position above said central panel and to flex said central panel to conform to the curvature of the bottom airfoil surface of said wing, said actuating means in said second position cooperating with said crank means and said first and second link means to flex said central panel to form a smooth curved upper surface for said flap means in conjunction with said trailing panel and to pivot said bullnose to operably mate with the forward edge of said central panel to form a downward and rearward continuation of said curved upper surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said actuating means comprises: a torque tube means rotatably mounted in said wing having an arm extending therefrom, said crank means pivotally connected at a third point to said arm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
a rigid surface panel rigidly affixed to said rigid structural member, said rigid panel for forming the trailing portion of said flap airfoil surface when said flap apparatus is extended,
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
a rigid surface panel rigidly affixed to said rigid structural member, said rigid panel for forming the trailing portion of said flap airfoil surface when said flap apparatus is extended,
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
60 words
a retracted position wherein said flap means is positioned in said opening in the bottom of said wing, said rigid panel in said retracted position forming a portion of the bottom surface of said wing, and c. linkage means mounted on said flap means and operative in response to movement of said actuating means for flexing said flexible panel between
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
60 words
a retracted position wherein said flap means is positioned in said opening in the bottom of said wing, said rigid panel in said retracted position forming a portion of the bottom surface of said wing, and c. linkage means mounted on said flap means and operative in response to movement of said actuating means for flexing said flexible panel between
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
a second position when said flap means is in said retracted position wherein said bullnose is positioned within said opening and above said flexible panel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
a second position when said flap means is in said retracted position wherein said bullnose is positioned within said opening and above said flexible panel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
65 words
a second position when said flap means is in said retracted position wherein said flexible panel is flexed to a position spaced from said panel supporting edge of said rigid structural member so as to form a portion of the bottom surface of said wing, and said linkage means being further operative in response to movement of said actuating means for pivoting said bullnose between
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
65 words
a second position when said flap means is in said retracted position wherein said flexible panel is flexed to a position spaced from said panel supporting edge of said rigid structural member so as to form a portion of the bottom surface of said wing, and said linkage means being further operative in response to movement of said actuating means for pivoting said bullnose between
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
a flexible panel adjoining said rear panel and overlying a portion of said panel supporting edge of said rigid structural member, said flexible panel for forming the central portion of said flap airfoil surface when said flap apparatus is extended, and
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
41 words
a flexible panel adjoining said rear panel and overlying a portion of said panel supporting edge of said rigid structural member, said flexible panel for forming the central portion of said flap airfoil surface when said flap apparatus is extended, and
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The appAratus of claim 2 wherein the rotational axis of said torque tube is oriented in spanwise relationship to said wing.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein all of the pivotal connections have pivotal axes substantially parallel with the rotational axis of said torque tube.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
49 words
a bullnose and means pivotally mounting said bullnose on said rigid structural member, said bullnose for forming the leading portion of said flap airfoil surface when said flap apparatus is extended, b. actuating means coupled to said wing and to said flap means for moving said flap means between
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
49 words
a bullnose and means pivotally mounting said bullnose on said rigid structural member, said bullnose for forming the leading portion of said flap airfoil surface when said flap apparatus is extended, b. actuating means coupled to said wing and to said flap means for moving said flap means between
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising: seal means connected to said trailing panel and positioned thereon to contact said leading edge portion of said wing when said flap means is in an extended position.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
99 words
In a leading edge flap apparatus for an aircraft wing, said wing having a leading edge and an opening in the bottom surface thereof rearwardly of said leading edge, said flap apparatus forming a leading edge flap airfoil surface having a desired curvature when extended, said apparatus being retractable into said opening and forming a portion of the bottom surface of said wing when retracted, the improvement in said apparatus comprising: a. flap means for forming said flap airfoil surface, said flap airfoil surface having a trailing portion, a central portion and a leading portion, said flap means including:
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
99 words
In a leading edge flap apparatus for an aircraft wing, said wing having a leading edge and an opening in the bottom surface thereof rearwardly of said leading edge, said flap apparatus forming a leading edge flap airfoil surface having a desired curvature when extended, said apparatus being retractable into said opening and forming a portion of the bottom surface of said wing when retracted, the improvement in said apparatus comprising: a. flap means for forming said flap airfoil surface, said flap airfoil surface having a trailing portion, a central portion and a leading portion, said flap means including:
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
126 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said wing has a predetermined curvature on the bottom surface thereof, said rigid panel having a curvature the same as the bottom surface of said wing corresponding to the location of said rigid panel when said flap means is in said retracted position, said flexible panel when in said second position having a curvature the same as said bottom surface of said wing corResponding to the position thereof when said flap means is in said retracted position, the curvature of said flexible panel being greater when said flap means is in said extended position and when said flexible panel is resting on said flap supporting edge of said rigid arm than when said flap means is in said retracted position.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
133 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said linkage means comprises: a first linkage pivotally connected at a first pivot point to said bullnose and pivotally connected at a second pivot point to said flexible panel, said first pivot point being positioned so as to move toward said rigid structural member as said bullnose postion is pivoted from said first position to said second position, thereby flexing said flexible panel to said second position spaced from panel supporting edge of said rigid structural member, and a second linkage pivotally connected at a first pivot point to said bullnose and pivotally connected at a second pivot point to said actuating means, said second linkage being so constructed to pivot said bullnose between said first and second positions in response to movement of said actuating means.
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) | 1978-10-06 | 1979-04-07 | 1979-10-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-06 | 1983-04-07 | 1983-10-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-06 | 1987-04-07 | 1987-10-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |