Airfoil flap assembly with flap track member

Claim 2

A flap assembly for an airfoil having a forward end, a rear end, a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis, said flap assembly comprising: (a) a mounting structure located at the rear end of the airfoil, said mounting structure having a track mounting portion at a track mounting location, (b) a first flap member having a stowed first position at the rear end of the airfoil, and movable rearwardly through an intermediate second position to a fully extended third position, (c) said flap member having mounted thereto a substantially longitudinally aligned track member operatively connected to said track mounting portion for longitudinal and rotational movement relative thereto, said track member having a forward end and a rear end, said track member being characterized in that with the flap member in the first position, the rear end of the track member is at the track mounting location, and with the flap member in its third position, the forward end of the track member is at the track mounting position, (d) actuating means operatively connected to said flap member at a connecting location spaced forwardly of the forward end of the track member and having a fixed location relative to the flap member, said actuating means being arranged to move said connecting location substantially longitudinally along a first path component generally aligned with the lengthwise axis of the track to move said flap between the stowed position and the intermediate position so as to cause substantial Fowler motion of the flap with relatively little rotation of the lengthwise axis of the track member relative to the mounting structure at the track mounting location, and to move the connecting location along a second path portion, having a substantial upward path component to move the flap between the intermediate position and the third position so as to cause relatively less Fowler motion with relatively greater rotation of the legthwise axis of the track member relative to the mounting structure at the track mounting location.

Claim 3

The flap assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said actuating means comprises an actuating member which moves along a substantially arcuate path with said first path portion being substantially longitudinally aligned, and said second path portion being substantially vertically aligned.

Claim 4

The flap assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said connecting location is spaced forwardly of the mounting location, said actuating means arranged to move said flap member in a manner that it moves the connecting location substantially longitudinally along a first path portion between the first and second positions of the flap, then along a second path portion which has a substantial upward vertical component in moving the flap member between the second and third position.

Claim 5

The flap assembly as recited in claim 3, wherein said actuating means comprises actuating member which moves along a substantially arcuate path with said first path portion being substantially longitudinally aligned, and said second path portion being substantially vertically aligned.

Claim 6

The flap assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said flap member has a chordwise axis and said track member has a lengthwise axis which is substantially linear and along which it moves relative to the mounting portion, the lengthwise axis of the track member extending rearwardly and downwardly relative to the chordwise axis of the flap member.

Claim 7

The flap assembly as recited in claim 5, wherein said actuating means comprises an actuating member which moves along a substantially arcuate path with said first path portion being substantially longitudinally aligned, and said second path portion being substantially vertically aligned.

Claim 8

The flap assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said track member comprises a slide-way and said mounting portion comprises a slide-block mounted for slide motion relative to the slide-way.

Claim 9

The flap assembly as recited in claim 1, further comprising a fairing pivotally mounted at a forward end thereof for downward movement as said flap member moves from its stowed first position to its third position, said flap assembly having link means to cause downward pivotal movement of said fairing.

Claim 10

The flap assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said track member and said mounting portion are so arranged relative to the actuating means that with said flap member in its intermediate position, said flap member forms a slot between said airfoil and said flap member.

Claim 11

The flap assembly as recited in claim 9, wherein there is a vane member mounted to a leading edge of the flap member independent of the airfoil, said vane member being positioned so that with the flap member in its intermediate position, the vane member is located adjacent the rear end of said airfoil and above said slot, said flap assembly being further characterized in that with the flap member in its fully extended third position, the vane member is spaced from the rear end of the airfoil to form a second slot with the airfoil.

Claim 12

The flap assembly as recited in claim 1, further comprising a second flap member having a fourth stowed position adjacent said first flap member, and movable rearwardly to an intermediate fifth position and to a fully deployed sixth position, where said second flap member is spaced from said first flap member.

Claim 13

The flap assembly as recited in claim 11, wherein said second flap member is mounted to said first flap member by a linkage which causes said second flap member to move longitudinally and angularly relative to said first flap member as the first flap member moves between its first and third positions.

Claim 14

The flap assembly as recited in claim 11, wherein said second flap member has a second track member that has a substantial alignment component generally parallel to a chordwise axis of the second flap member, said first flap member having a second track mounting portion to which said second track member is operatively connected for longitudinal movement relative thereto, said flap assembly further having second actuating means to cause said second flap member to move rearwardly relative to said first flap member upon rearward movement of said first flap member.

Claim 15

A flap assembly for an airfoil having a forward end, a rear end, a logitudinal axis and a transverse axis, said flap assembly comprising: a. a mounting structure located at the rear end of the airfoil, said mounting structure having a track mounting portion at a track mounting location, b. a first flap member having a stowed first position at the rear end of the airfoil, and movable rearwardly through an intermediate second position to a fully extended third position, c. said flap member having mounted thereto a substantially longitudinally aligned track member operatively connected to said track mounting portion for logitudinal and rotational movement relative thereto said track member having a forward end and a rear end, said track member being characterized in that with the flap member in the first position, the rear end of the track member is at the track mounting location, and with the flap member in its third position, the forward end of the track member is at the track mounting position, d. actuating means operatively connected to said flap member at a connecting location spaced forwardly of the forward end of the track member, said actuating means being arranged to move said connecting location substantially longitudinally along a first path component generally aligned with the legthwise axis of the track to move said flap between the stowed position and the intermediate position so as to cause substantial Fowler motion of the flap with relatively little rotation of the lengthwise axis of the track member relative to the mounting structure at the track mounting location, and to move the connecting location along a second path portion, having a substantial upward path component to move the flap between the intermediate position and the third position so as to cause relatively less Fowler motion with relatively greater rotation of the lengthwise axis of the track member relative to the mounting structure at the track mounting location.

Claim 16

A flap assembly for an airfoil having a forward end, a rear end, a logitudinal axis and a transverse axis, said flap assembly comprising: a. a mounting structure located at the rear end of the airfoil, said mounting structure having a track mounting portion at a track mounting location, b. a first flap member having a stowed first position at the rear end of the airfoil, and movable rearwardly through an intermediate second position to a fully extended third position, c. said flap member having mounted thereto a substantially longitudinally aligned track member operatively connected to said track mounting portion for logitudinal and rotational movement relative thereto said track member having a forward end and a rear end, said track member being characterized in that with the flap member in the first position, the rear end of the track member is at the track mounting location, and with the flap member in its third position, the forward end of the track member is at the track mounting position, d. actuating means operatively connected to said flap member at a connecting location spaced forwardly of the forward end of the track member, said actuating means being arranged to move said connecting location substantially longitudinally along a first path component generally aligned with the legthwise axis of the track to move said flap between the stowed position and the intermediate position so as to cause substantial Fowler motion of the flap with relatively little rotation of the lengthwise axis of the track member relative to the mounting structure at the track mounting location, and to move the connecting location along a second path portion, having a substantial upward path component to move the flap between the intermediate position and the third position so as to cause relatively less Fowler motion with relatively greater rotation of the lengthwise axis of the track member relative to the mounting structure at the track mounting location.

Claim 17

The flap assembly as recited in claim 14, wherein there is a vane member mounted to a leading edge of the flap member independent of the airfoil, said vane member being positioned so that with the flap member in its intermediate position, the vane member is located adjacent the rear end of said airfoil and above said slot, said flap assembly being further characterized in that with the flap member in its fully extended third position, the vane member is spaced from the rear end of the airfoil to form a second slot with the airfoil.

Claim 18

The flap assembly as recited in claim 15, wherein said actuating means comprises an actuating member which moves along a substantially arcuate path with said first path portion being substantially longitudinally aligned, and said second path portion being substantially vertically aligned.

Claim 19

The flap assembly as recited in claim 15, wherein said connecting location is spaced forwardly of the mounting location, said actuating means arranged to move said flap member in a manner that it moves the connecting location substantially longitudinally along a first path portion between the first and second positions of the flap, then along a second path portion which has a substantial upward vertical component in moving the flap member between the second and third position.

Claim 20

A flap assembly for an airfoil having a forward end, a rear end, a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis, said flap assembly comprising: (a) a mounting structure located at the rear end of the airfoil, said mounting structure having a track mounting portion at a track mounting location, (b) a first flap member having a stowed first position at the rear end of the airfoil, and movable rearwardly through an intermediate second position to a fully extended third position, (c) said flap member having mounted thereto a substantially longitudinally aligned track member operatively connected to said track mounting portion for longitudinal movement relative thereto, said track member having a forward end and a rear end, said track member being characterized in that with the flap member in the first position, the rear end of the track member is at the track mounting location, and with the flap member in its third position, the forward end of the track member is at the track mounting position, (d) actuating means operatively connected to said flap member at a connecting location to move said flap member between its first and third positions, said connecting location being spaced longitudinally from the track mounting location, said actuating means being arranged to move the flap member from the first position to the intermediate position in a first path portion having a substantial longitudinal path component to cause substantial Fowler motion of the flap member with relatively little rotation, and the actuating means then moves along a second path portion having a substantial vertical path component to cause substantial rotation of the flap member about the track mounting location in moving from the intermediate position to the third position, (e) a second flap member having a fourth stowed position adjacent said first flap member, and movable rearwardly to an intermediate fifth position and to a fully deployed sixth position, where said second flap member is spaced from said first flap member, said second flap member being mounted to said first flap member by a linkage which causes said second flap member to move longitudinally and angularly relative to said first flap member as the first flap member moves between its first and third positions.

Claim 21

A flap assembly for an airfoil having a forward end, a rear end, a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis, said flap assembly comprising: (a) a mounting structure located at the rear end of the airfoil, said mounting structure having a track mounting portion at a track mounting location, (b) a first flap member having a stowed first position at the rear end of the airfoil, and movable rearwardly through an intermediate second position to a fully extended third position, (c) said flap member having mounted thereto a substantially longitudinally aligned track member operatively connected to said track mounting portion for longitudinal movement relative thereto, said track member having a forward end and a rear end, said track member being characterized in that with the flap member in the first position, the rear end of the track member is at the track mounting location, and with the flap member in its third position, the forward end of the track member is at the track mounting position, (d) actuating means operatively connected to said flap member at a connecting location to move said flap member between its first and third positions, said connecting location being spaced longitudinally from the track mounting location, said actuating means being arranged to move the flap member from the first position to the intermediate position in a first path portion having a substantial longitudinal path component to cause substantial Fowler motion of the flap member with relatively little rotation, and the actuating means then moves along a second path portion having a substantial vertical path component to cause substantial rotation of the flap member about the track mounting location in moving from the intermediate position to the third position, (e) a second flap member having a fourth stowed position adjacent said first flap member, and movable rearwardly to an intermediate fifth position and to a fully deployed sixth position, where said second flap member is spaced from said first flap member, said second flap member being mounted to said first flap member by a linkage which causes said second flap member to move longitudinally and angularly relative to said first flap member as the first flap member moves between its first and third positions.

Claim 22

The flap assembly as recited in claim 18, wherein said actuating means comprises an actuating member which moves along a substantially arcuate path with said first path portion being substantially longitudinally aligned, and said second path portion being substantially vertically aligned.

Claim 23

The flap assembly as recited in claim 18, wherein said connecting location is spaced forwardly of the mounting location, said actuating means arranged to move said flap member in a manner that it moves the connecting location substantially longitudinally along a first path portion between the first and second positions of the flap, then along a second path portion which has a substantial upward vertical component in moving the flap member between the second and third position.

Claim 24

A flap assembly for an airfoil having a forward end, a rear end, a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis, said flap assembly comprising: (a) a mounting structure located at the rear end of the airfoil, said mounting structure having a track mounting portion at a track mounting location, (b) a first flap member having a stowed first position at the rear end of the airfoil, and movable rearwardly through an intermediate second position to a fully extended third position, (c) said flap member having mounted thereto a substantially longitudinally aligned track member operatively connected to said track mounting portion for longitudinal movement relative thereto, said track member having a forward end and a rear end, said track member being characterized in that with the flap member in the first position, the rear end of the track member is at the track mounting location, and with the flap member in its third position, the forward end of the track member is at the track mounting position, (d) actuating means operatively connected to said flap member at a connecting location to move said flap member between its first and third positions, said connecting location being spaced longitudinally from the track mounting location, said actuating means being arranged to move the flap member from the first position to the intermediate position in a first path portion having a substantial longitudinal path component to cause substantial Fowler motion of the flap member with relatively little rotation, and the actuating means then moves along a second path portion having a substantial vertical path component to cause substantial rotation of the flap member about the track mounting location in moving from the intermediate position to the third position, (e) a second flap member having a fourth stowed position adjacent said first flap member, and movable rearwardly to an intermediate fifth position and to a fully deployed sixth position, where said second flap member is spaced from said first flap member, (f) said second flap member having a second track member that has a substantial alignment component generally parallel to a chordwise axis of the second flap member, said first flap member having a second track member which is operatively connected for longitudinal movement relative thereto, said flap assembly further having second actuating means to cause said second flap member to move rearwardly relative to said first flap member upon rearward movement of said first flap member.

Claim 25

A flap assembly for an airfoil having a forward end, a rear end, a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis, said flap assembly comprising: (a) a mounting structure located at the rear end of the airfoil, said mounting structure having a track mounting portion at a track mounting location, (b) a first flap member having a stowed first position at the rear end of the airfoil, and movable rearwardly through an intermediate second position to a fully extended third position, (c) said flap member having mounted thereto a substantially longitudinally aligned track member operatively connected to said track mounting portion for longitudinal movement relative thereto, said track member having a forward end and a rear end, said track member being characterized in that with the flap member in the first position, the rear end of the track member is at the track mounting location, and with the flap member in its third position, the forward end of the track member is at the track mounting position, (d) actuating means operatively connected to said flap member at a connecting location to move said flap member between its first and third positions, said connecting location being spaced longitudinally from the track mounting location, said actuating means being arranged to move the flap member from the first position to the intermediate position in a first path portion having a substantial longitudinal path component to cause substantial Fowler motion of the flap member with relatively little rotation, and the actuating means then moves along a second path portion having a substantial vertical path component to cause substantial rotation of the flap member about the track mounting location in moving from the intermediate position to the third position, (e) a second flap member having a fourth stowed position adjacent said first flap member, and movable rearwardly to an intermediate fifth position and to a fully deployed sixth position, where said second flap member is spaced from said first flap member, (f) said second flap member having a second track member that has a substantial alignment component generally parallel to a chordwise axis of the second flap member, said first flap member having a second track member which is operatively connected for longitudinal movement relative thereto, said flap assembly further having second actuating means to cause said second flap member to move rearwardly relative to said first flap member upon rearward movement of said first flap member.

Claim 26

The flap assembly as recited in claim 21, wherein said actuating means comprises an actuating member which moves along a substantially arcuate path with said first path portion being substantially longitudinally aligned, and said second path portion being substantially vertically aligned.

Claim 27

The flap assembly as recited in claim 21, wherein said connecting location is spaced forwardly of the mounting location, said actuating means arranged to move said flap member in a manner that it moves the connecting location substantially longitudinally along a first path portion between the first and second positions of the flap, then along a second path portion which has a substantial upward vertical component in moving the flap member between the second and third position.

Claim 28

The flap assembly as recited in claim 21, wherein said flap member has a chordwise axis and said track member has a lengthwise axis along which it moves relative to the mounting portion, the lengthwise axis of the track member extending rearwardly and downwardly relative to the chordwise axis of the flap member.

Claim 29

The flap assembly as recited in claim 21, wherein said track member comprises a slide-way and said mounting portion comprises a slide-block mounted for slide motion relative to the slide-way.