The aircraft (10) comprises a fuselage (11) and a rhombohedral wing structure (12) comprising front wings (13, 14) mounted on a front wing-root support (17) and rear wings (15, 16) mounted on a rear wing-root support (18). One end of each front wing is articulated to one end of a rear wing and at least one of the wing-root supports is able to move along the fuselage. The wing-root supports (17, 18) are positioned respectively underneath and on top of the fuselage (11). The length (41) of the rear wings (15, 16) is strictly less than the length (48) of the front wings (13, 14). The aircraft (10) comprises an adaptor for adapting the position of each wing root (17, 18) to suit the flight conditions.

The aircraft (10) comprises a fuselage (11) and a rhombohedral wing structure (12) comprising front wings (13, 14) mounted on a front wing-root support (17) and rear wings (15, 16) mounted on a rear wing-root support (18). One end of each front wing is articulated to one end of a rear wing and at least one of the wing-root supports is able to move along the fuselage. The wing-root supports (17, 18) are positioned respectively underneath and on top of the fuselage (11). The length (41) of the rear wings (15, 16) is strictly less than the length (48) of the front wings (13, 14). The aircraft (10) comprises an adaptor for adapting the position of each wing root (17, 18) to suit the flight conditions.

The present invention relates to an actuator system in an aircraft for monitoring a no-back brake, which system comprises an actuator for actuating a flap of a flight control system of the aircraft, a first torque sensor for detecting a torque on the drive side of the actuator, and a second torque sensor for detecting a torque on the output side of the actuator, wherein the actuator is provided with an auto-switching no-back brake to hold the flap actuated by the actuator in position. The actuator system further has a monitoring unit, which is connected to the first torque sensor and the second torque sensor and is designed to detect an acute or imminent fault condition of the no-back brake depending on an actuator state and the detected torque values of the first torque sensor and the second torque sensor.

The present invention relates to an actuator system in an aircraft for monitoring a no-back brake, which system comprises an actuator for actuating a flap of a flight control system of the aircraft, a first torque sensor for detecting a torque on the drive side of the actuator, and a second torque sensor for detecting a torque on the output side of the actuator, wherein the actuator is provided with an auto-switching no-back brake to hold the flap actuated by the actuator in position. The actuator system further has a monitoring unit, which is connected to the first torque sensor and the second torque sensor and is designed to detect an acute or imminent fault condition of the no-back brake depending on an actuator state and the detected torque values of the first torque sensor and the second torque sensor.

An aircraft with wing tip devices, for example, folding wing tips, is disclosed. The folding wing tip may have a flight configuration for use during flight, and a ground configuration for use in ground-based operations. The ground configuration creates a shorter wing span than when the aircraft is in the flight configuration. A hinge arrangement protrudes beyond an outer surface of the fixed wing and wing tip device. In order to reduce the aerodynamic effect of the protruding hinge a fairing may be provided. In the flight configuration the fairing comprises a front portion blended into and extending rearwardly from the leading edge of the fixed wing and the wing tip device.

Shape memory actuators may be used in unmanned aerial vehicles to control various components. For example, shape memory actuators may adjust cant angles of motors, propellers, and other propulsion mechanisms. In addition, shape memory actuators may adjust positions or orientations of various other components of unmanned aerial vehicles, including wings, control surfaces, motor arms, frame sections, payload doors, and landing gears. The shape memory actuators may be formed of various shape memory materials, may be one-way or two-way shape memory actuators, and may change their configurations responsive to heat and/or magnetic fields.

Shape memory actuators may be used in unmanned aerial vehicles to control various components. For example, shape memory actuators may adjust cant angles of motors, propellers, and other propulsion mechanisms. In addition, shape memory actuators may adjust positions or orientations of various other components of unmanned aerial vehicles, including wings, control surfaces, motor arms, frame sections, payload doors, and landing gears. The shape memory actuators may be formed of various shape memory materials, may be one-way or two-way shape memory actuators, and may change their configurations responsive to heat and/or magnetic fields.

An aircraft defines a vertical direction and includes a fuselage and a propulsion system comprising a power source and a plurality of vertical thrust electric fans driven by the power source. A wing extends from the fuselage. The plurality of vertical thrust electric fans are arranged along a length of the wing along a lengthwise direction of the wing. The wing comprises a diffusion assembly along the lengthwise direction of the wing and includes a first diffusion member positioned downstream of at least one of the plurality of vertical thrust electric fans. The first diffusion member defines a curved shape relative to a longitudinal direction of the aircraft. The longitudinal direction is generally perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the wing.

An aircraft defines a vertical direction and includes a fuselage and a propulsion system comprising a power source and a plurality of vertical thrust electric fans driven by the power source. A wing extends from the fuselage. The plurality of vertical thrust electric fans are arranged along a length of the wing along a lengthwise direction of the wing. The wing comprises a diffusion assembly along the lengthwise direction of the wing and includes a first diffusion member positioned downstream of at least one of the plurality of vertical thrust electric fans. The first diffusion member defines a curved shape relative to a longitudinal direction of the aircraft. The longitudinal direction is generally perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the wing.

Deployment system for adjusting a leading edge high-lift device, in particular a slat, between a retracted position, in which, in use, the high-lift device is retracted with respect to an airfoil, and at least one deployed position, in which, in use, the high-lift device is deployed with respect to the airfoil, comprising at least one actuation unit that is configured to actuate the high-lift device between the retracted position and the at least one deployed position, at least one guidance unit that is configured to guide the high-lift device during adjustment between the retracted position and the at least one deployed position along an adjustment path, wherein the guidance unit is independent from the actuation unit.