Patent classifications
B64C9/04
Systems, methods, and apparatus to control aircraft roll operations
Systems, methods, and apparatus to control aircraft roll operations are disclosed herein. An example system includes a control wheel position determiner to determine a control wheel position based on an input from a control wheel of the aircraft, a control wheel force determiner to determine a first control wheel force based on a sensor measurement, and a spoiler controller to map the control wheel position to a second control wheel force, the second control wheel force based on nominal characteristics of the aircraft, determine a first difference between the first control wheel force and the second control wheel force, and in response to determining that the first difference does not satisfy a threshold, move a flight control surface based on a third control wheel force, the third control wheel force based on a second difference between the first difference and the threshold.
Convertiplane and related control method
Convertiplane comprising a fuselage; a pair of wings, a pair of nacelles fixed with respect to the wings, and a pair of rotors rotatable about respective second axes and tiltable about a third axis between a first position, reached when the convertiplane is in an aeroplane configuration, and a second position, reached when the convertiplane is in a helicopter configuration. The wing comprises a wing box and a first appendage movable when the convertiplane is in the aeroplane configuration, between a first neutral position, a second raised operating position, and a third lowered operating position; the wing comprises a second appendage movable between a first neutral position assumed when the convertiplane is in the aeroplane configuration and in which it defines an extension of the wing box, and a second position assumed when the convertiplane is in the helicopter configuration and in which it defines, with the wing box, an opening through which the downwash generated by the rotor can flow.
Convertiplane and related control method
Convertiplane comprising a fuselage; a pair of wings, a pair of nacelles fixed with respect to the wings, and a pair of rotors rotatable about respective second axes and tiltable about a third axis between a first position, reached when the convertiplane is in an aeroplane configuration, and a second position, reached when the convertiplane is in a helicopter configuration. The wing comprises a wing box and a first appendage movable when the convertiplane is in the aeroplane configuration, between a first neutral position, a second raised operating position, and a third lowered operating position; the wing comprises a second appendage movable between a first neutral position assumed when the convertiplane is in the aeroplane configuration and in which it defines an extension of the wing box, and a second position assumed when the convertiplane is in the helicopter configuration and in which it defines, with the wing box, an opening through which the downwash generated by the rotor can flow.
Flap assemblies with failsafe jam-resistant flap tracks
Example implementations relate to simple to manufacture flap assemblies with failsafe jam-resistant flap tracks. An example flap assembly may include a track having an elongate structure and a flap carriage configured to move along a length of the track. The track is configured to couple to an aircraft wing and the flap carriage includes a primary roller and a pair of secondary rollers configured to secure the flap carriage to the track. A top portion of the flap carriage is configured to couple to a flap such that movement of the flap carriage along the length of the track enables movement of the flap relative to the aircraft wing.
Flap assemblies with failsafe jam-resistant flap tracks
Example implementations relate to simple to manufacture flap assemblies with failsafe jam-resistant flap tracks. An example flap assembly may include a track having an elongate structure and a flap carriage configured to move along a length of the track. The track is configured to couple to an aircraft wing and the flap carriage includes a primary roller and a pair of secondary rollers configured to secure the flap carriage to the track. A top portion of the flap carriage is configured to couple to a flap such that movement of the flap carriage along the length of the track enables movement of the flap relative to the aircraft wing.
CONVERTIPLANE AND RELATED CONTROL METHOD
Convertiplane comprising a fuselage; a pair of wings, a pair of nacelles fixed with respect to the wings, and a pair of rotors rotatable about respective second axes and tiltable about a third axis between a first position, reached when the convertiplane is in an aeroplane configuration, and a second position, reached when the convertiplane is in a helicopter configuration. The wing comprises a wing box and a first appendage movable when the convertiplane is in the aeroplane configuration, between a first neutral position, a second raised operating position, and a third lowered operating position; the wing comprises a second appendage movable between a first neutral position assumed when the convertiplane is in the aeroplane configuration and in which it defines an extension of the wing box, and a second position assumed when the convertiplane is in the helicopter configuration and in which it defines, with the wing box, an opening through which the downwash generated by the rotor can flow.
CONVERTIPLANE AND RELATED CONTROL METHOD
Convertiplane comprising a fuselage; a pair of wings, a pair of nacelles fixed with respect to the wings, and a pair of rotors rotatable about respective second axes and tiltable about a third axis between a first position, reached when the convertiplane is in an aeroplane configuration, and a second position, reached when the convertiplane is in a helicopter configuration. The wing comprises a wing box and a first appendage movable when the convertiplane is in the aeroplane configuration, between a first neutral position, a second raised operating position, and a third lowered operating position; the wing comprises a second appendage movable between a first neutral position assumed when the convertiplane is in the aeroplane configuration and in which it defines an extension of the wing box, and a second position assumed when the convertiplane is in the helicopter configuration and in which it defines, with the wing box, an opening through which the downwash generated by the rotor can flow.
Distributed Electric Propulsion Modular Wing Aircraft with Blown Wing and Extreme Flaps for VTOL and/or STOL Flight
An aircraft wing configuration for a vertical or a short take-off and landing aircraft having a plurality of propeller-blown wings mounted at different longitudinal locations along a fuselage of the vertical take-off and landing aircraft, producing two or more lifting surfaces, fixed at a predetermined acute wing angle greater than 0° and substantially less than 90° relative to a horizontal plane, and having a plurality of flaps disposed behind the wings. The configuration has a plurality of propellers distributed in front of the plurality of wings producing two or more lifting surfaces and mounted such that the wings are externally blown by forced airstreams from the propellers. The propellers produce distributed thrust components, and the plurality of flaps are in the forced airstreams of the propellers when one or more of the flaps is in an extended position.
Distributed Electric Propulsion Modular Wing Aircraft with Blown Wing and Extreme Flaps for VTOL and/or STOL Flight
An aircraft wing configuration for a vertical or a short take-off and landing aircraft having a plurality of propeller-blown wings mounted at different longitudinal locations along a fuselage of the vertical take-off and landing aircraft, producing two or more lifting surfaces, fixed at a predetermined acute wing angle greater than 0° and substantially less than 90° relative to a horizontal plane, and having a plurality of flaps disposed behind the wings. The configuration has a plurality of propellers distributed in front of the plurality of wings producing two or more lifting surfaces and mounted such that the wings are externally blown by forced airstreams from the propellers. The propellers produce distributed thrust components, and the plurality of flaps are in the forced airstreams of the propellers when one or more of the flaps is in an extended position.
FLAP ACTUATION SYSTEMS AND RELATED METHODS
Example flap actuation systems and related methods are disclosed herein. An example flap actuation system includes a first actuator, a second actuator, a first drive arm coupled to the first actuator and to a flap, a second drive arm coupled to the second actuator and to the flap, a first cam, and a first output shaft. The first cam is to couple to the first drive to enable the first actuator to actuate the flap via the first drive arm. The example flap actuation system includes a second cam and a second output shaft. The first cam is to be uncoupled from the first drive arm in response to a failure of the first actuator. The second actuator is to actuate the flap via the first drive arm and the second drive arm in response to the failure of the first actuator.