The invention relates to a structure having a panel, a stringer and a rib. The stringer has a stringer flange that is joined to an inner surface of the panel and a stringer web that extends away from the stringer flange. The rib has a rib web and a rib foot. The rib foot has a rib foot flange that is joined to the stringer web, first and second rib foot base parts that are joined to the inner surface of the panel or to the stringer flange and a rib foot web that is joined to the rib web. The rib foot is formed as a single folded piece such that the rib foot flange is connected to the rib foot web by a first folded corner, the first rib foot base part is connected to the rib foot flange by a second folded corner and the second rib foot base part is connected to the rib foot web by a third folded corner.

The invention relates to a structure having a panel, a stringer and a rib. The stringer has a stringer flange that is joined to an inner surface of the panel and a stringer web that extends away from the stringer flange. The rib has a rib web and a rib foot. The rib foot has a rib foot flange that is joined to the stringer web, first and second rib foot base parts that are joined to the inner surface of the panel or to the stringer flange and a rib foot web that is joined to the rib web. The rib foot is formed as a single folded piece such that the rib foot flange is connected to the rib foot web by a first folded corner, the first rib foot base part is connected to the rib foot flange by a second folded corner and the second rib foot base part is connected to the rib foot web by a third folded corner.

An ice protection system includes an aircraft surface and a gutter defined in the aircraft surface between raised rails. The gutter includes a mouth that narrows into a trailing portion of the gutter. The mouth is configured to channel water runback rivulets into the trailing portion of the gutter. The gutter can be a first gutter of a plurality of side by side gutters, each including a respective mouth narrowing into a respective trailing portion, wherein the gutters are separated from one another by respective rails.

An ice protection system includes an aircraft surface and a gutter defined in the aircraft surface between raised rails. The gutter includes a mouth that narrows into a trailing portion of the gutter. The mouth is configured to channel water runback rivulets into the trailing portion of the gutter. The gutter can be a first gutter of a plurality of side by side gutters, each including a respective mouth narrowing into a respective trailing portion, wherein the gutters are separated from one another by respective rails.

An actuator setup is disclosed which includes a body, at least one control surface located on the body for enabling to control the flow of fluid by moving relative to the body, at least one actuator produced from an electro-active polymer material that is located between the body and the control surface and changes its form depending on electrical energy, thereby triggering the control surface, at least one strengthener located on the actuator, enabling the actuator to change its form, a strengthener located on the actuator so as to be in connection with the body and having a front strengthener and a rear strengthener located on the actuator so as to be oppositely positioned with the front strengthener.

A tethered uni-rotor network of satellite vehicles, is a novel aerial system which combines the best features of both fixed-wing and rotorcraft design methodologies, while minimizing their respective deficiencies. It is made up of a central hub with multiple tethers, where each tether arm radiates outward and attaches to a satellite vehicle; each having lifting airfoil surfaces, stabilizers, control surfaces, fuselages, and propulsion systems. The entire system operates in a state of rotation, which is driven by the propulsion units on each satellite. As the system rotates, centrifugal forces pull the satellite vehicles outward, which maintain tension on the tether arms. As the satellite vehicles move through space, the airfoils generate lift which supports each satellite and a distributed portion of the weight of the central hub.

A wing structure for use with an aircraft is provided. The wing structure includes at least one wing section including an inboard portion, an outboard portion angled rearward from said inboard portion, and at least one stringer including a curved portion that extends across an interface defined between the inboard portion and the outboard portion. The curved portion has a radial curvature such that the at least one stringer extends continuously along the inboard portion and the outboard portion.

An airfoil portion includes an outer skin member and an inner stiffening member. Either the outer skin member or the inner stiffening member or both are arranged to delimit a chamber. The chamber is configured to contain an inner pressure, wherein the inner pressure differs from a pressure external to the chamber. In an embodiment, an aircraft includes such an airfoil portion. A method for providing such an airfoil portion with a chamber is also described.

An aerostructure assembly that includes an aerostructure (e.g., a resin pressure molded structure) and a coupling assembly is disclosed. The aerostructure includes an outer shell and a female receiver located within an interior of the outer shell. The coupling assembly includes a coupling and a beam that extends from this coupling. The beam is disposed within the female receiver, including where at least part of the coupling is positioned beyond an open end of the outer shell. The shape of the female receiver may retain the aerostructure to the beam in at least one direction/dimension. One or more fasteners may be utilized to attach the aerostructure to the beam. The coupling may be formed from one or more metals, and in any case, accommodates attachment of the aerostructure assembly to a flight vehicle.

An aircraft including a fuselage having a longitudinal axis extending through the fuselage front end and the fuselage rear end; a foldable wing located on the fuselage and being movable between a flight position wherein the wing is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and a stowed position wherein the wing is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis; and a pair of stabilizing wings having an anhedral orientation disposed on the fuselage.