A piezoelectric steering engine of bistable includes a base, four torsion units respectively fixed on the base, and four stiffness devices respectively located at a free end of the four torsion units. The four torsion units share the same structure, and are sequentially arranged at an interval of 90° in a same plane. The four stiffness devices share the same structure and are all connected to rudder blades. Every torsion unit includes a cantilever beam, a first macro-fiber composite actuator and a second macro-fiber composite actuator both of which are respectively attached to two opposite surfaces of the cantilever beam. A first stiffness device includes an elastic ring and a bearing pad mounted inside the elastic ring. After the cantilever beam passes through the bearing pad, a torque is exerted on the cantilever beam by the elastic ring through the bearing pad, resulting in the buckling of the cantilever beam.

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.

An actuator mechanism for a flap includes a first link having a rotary-driven end and a free end, and a second link having a forward end, a mid-portion, and an aft end. The rotary-driven end is pivotally connected to a base structure, the forward end is pivotally connected to the free end, and the aft end is connected to the flap. The actuator mechanism also includes a third link that includes a fixed end, an intermediate connector, and an end connector. The fixed end is pivotally connected to the base structure, and the intermediate connector is pivotally connected to the mid-portion of the second link. The actuator mechanism further includes a flap link including a first end pivotally connected to the end connector, and a second end pivotally connected to the flap. Rotation of the first link causes the flap to transition from a stowed to a fully deployed position.

An actuator mechanism for a flap includes a first link having a rotary-driven end and a free end, and a second link having a forward end, a mid-portion, and an aft end. The rotary-driven end is pivotally connected to a base structure, the forward end is pivotally connected to the free end, and the aft end is connected to the flap. The actuator mechanism also includes a third link that includes a fixed end, an intermediate connector, and an end connector. The fixed end is pivotally connected to the base structure, and the intermediate connector is pivotally connected to the mid-portion of the second link. The actuator mechanism further includes a flap link including a first end pivotally connected to the end connector, and a second end pivotally connected to the flap. Rotation of the first link causes the flap to transition from a stowed to a fully deployed position.

A wing for an aircraft, including a main wing, and a leading edge high lift assembly including a high lift body, and a connection assembly connecting the high lift body to the main wing such that the high lift body is movable relative to the main wing between a stowed position and a deployed position. The connection assembly includes at least one rotation element mounted to the high lift body and mounted to the main wing rotatably about an axis of rotation. The high lift body includes a rigid portion and a flexible skin portion. The rigid portion is mounted to the rotation element. The flexible skin portion is connected to a leading edge portion of an upper skin panel of the main wing and is connected to the rigid portion of the high lift body The flexible skin portion is configured to be deformed between a stowed deformation state and a deployed deformation state, when the high lift body is moved between the stowed position and the deployed position.

A wing for an aircraft, including a main wing, and a leading edge high lift assembly including a high lift body, and a connection assembly connecting the high lift body to the main wing such that the high lift body is movable relative to the main wing between a stowed position and a deployed position. The connection assembly includes at least one rotation element mounted to the high lift body and mounted to the main wing rotatably about an axis of rotation. The high lift body includes a rigid portion and a flexible skin portion. The rigid portion is mounted to the rotation element. The flexible skin portion is connected to a leading edge portion of an upper skin panel of the main wing and is connected to the rigid portion of the high lift body The flexible skin portion is configured to be deformed between a stowed deformation state and a deployed deformation state, when the high lift body is moved between the stowed position and the deployed position.

One embodiment is an apparatus comprising an aircraft wing; a control surface hingedly connected to a trailing edge of the aircraft wing, wherein a slot is provided between the aircraft wing and the control surface; a seal disposed over the slot, the seal hingedly connected to the aircraft wing; a spring mechanism for preloading the seal against a surface of the control surface such that the gap is sealed with the control surface is in a first position relative to the aircraft wing; and at least one cam blade for lifting the seal from the surface of the control surface as the control surface moves from the first position to a second position relative to the aircraft wing and returning the seal to the surface of the control surface as the control surface moves from the second position to the first position.

An actuation system for a control surface of an aircraft includes a drive lever. The drive lever includes a coupling end configured to pivotably couple to a plurality of wing attach fittings and a lever end. The lever end includes a first actuator fitting configured to pivotably couple to a first actuator on a forward side of the drive lever; a second actuator fitting configured to pivotably couple to a second actuator on an aft side of the drive lever; a first drive link fitting configured to couple, via a first drive link, to a control surface of an aircraft; and a second drive link fitting configured to couple, via a second drive link, to the control surface of the aircraft.

Mini-spoilers for enhancing the effectiveness of lateral-control surfaces of aircraft wings are described. An example aircraft includes a wing, a lateral-control surface, and a mini-spoiler. The lateral-control surface is movably coupled to the wing. The lateral-control surface is movable between a neutral position, a first upward deflected position, and a second upward deflected position extending beyond the first upward deflected position. The mini-spoiler is located on or forward of the lateral-control surface. The mini-spoiler is movable between a retracted position and a deployed position. The mini-spoiler is configured to be moved from the retracted position to the deployed position based on the lateral-control surface being moved from the neutral position to or toward the first upward deflected position.

Mini-spoilers for enhancing the effectiveness of lateral-control surfaces of aircraft wings are described. An example aircraft includes a wing, a lateral-control surface, and a mini-spoiler. The lateral-control surface is movably coupled to the wing. The lateral-control surface is movable between a neutral position, a first upward deflected position, and a second upward deflected position extending beyond the first upward deflected position. The mini-spoiler is located on or forward of the lateral-control surface. The mini-spoiler is movable between a retracted position and a deployed position. The mini-spoiler is configured to be moved from the retracted position to the deployed position based on the lateral-control surface being moved from the neutral position to or toward the first upward deflected position.