B64C21/08

FLAP PRESSURE SHAPE BIASING

Flap pressure shape biasing is disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes a flight monitor to determine a movement parameter of an aircraft, the movement parameter corresponding to at least one of a Mach number of the aircraft, an airspeed of the aircraft, or a vertical acceleration of the aircraft, and a spoiler controller to adjust a position of a spoiler of the aircraft to reduce pressure on a flap based on the movement parameter by moving a pressure transition away from the flap.

FLAP PRESSURE SHAPE BIASING

Flap pressure shape biasing is disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes a flight monitor to determine a movement parameter of an aircraft, the movement parameter corresponding to at least one of a Mach number of the aircraft, an airspeed of the aircraft, or a vertical acceleration of the aircraft, and a spoiler controller to adjust a position of a spoiler of the aircraft to reduce pressure on a flap based on the movement parameter by moving a pressure transition away from the flap.

Low observable aircraft having tandem longitudinal lift fans

An aircraft operable to transition between thrust-borne lift in a VTOL orientation and wing-borne lift in a forward flight orientation. The aircraft has a blended wing body and includes first and second engines, a binary lift fan system, first and second forced air bypass systems and first and second exhaust systems. The engines have turboshaft and turbofan modes. The lift fan system includes ducted fans in a tandem longitudinal orientation. In the VTOL orientation of the aircraft, the engines are in the turboshaft mode coupled to the lift fan system such that the engines provide rotational energy to the ducted fans generating the thrust-borne lift. In the forward flight orientation of the aircraft, the engines are in the turbofan mode coupled to the forced air bypass systems such that the bypass air combines with the engine exhaust in the exhaust systems to provide forward thrust generating the wing-borne lift.

Aircraft drag reduction system and internally cooled electric motor system and aircraft using same

An aircraft propulsion system with a drag reduction portion adapted to reduce skin friction on at least a portion of the external surface of an aircraft. The drag reduction portion may include an inlet to ingest airflow. The aircraft may also have an internally cooled electric motor adapted for use in an aerial vehicle. The motor may have its stator towards the center and have an external rotor. The rotor structure may be air cooled and may be a complex structure with an internal lattice adapted for airflow. The stator structure may be liquid cooled and may be a complex structure with an internal lattice adapted for liquid to flow through. A fluid pump may pump a liquid coolant through non-rotating portions of the motor stator and then through heat exchangers cooled in part by air which has flowed through the rotating portions of the motor rotor. The drag reduction portion and the cooled electric motor portion may share the same inlet.

Aircraft drag reduction system and internally cooled electric motor system and aircraft using same

An aircraft propulsion system with a drag reduction portion adapted to reduce skin friction on at least a portion of the external surface of an aircraft. The drag reduction portion may include an inlet to ingest airflow. The aircraft may also have an internally cooled electric motor adapted for use in an aerial vehicle. The motor may have its stator towards the center and have an external rotor. The rotor structure may be air cooled and may be a complex structure with an internal lattice adapted for airflow. The stator structure may be liquid cooled and may be a complex structure with an internal lattice adapted for liquid to flow through. A fluid pump may pump a liquid coolant through non-rotating portions of the motor stator and then through heat exchangers cooled in part by air which has flowed through the rotating portions of the motor rotor. The drag reduction portion and the cooled electric motor portion may share the same inlet.

A LEADING EDGE STRUCTURE FOR A FLOW CONTROL SYSTEM OF AN AIRCRAFT

A leading edge structure (11) for a flow control system of an aircraft (1), including a leading edge panel (13) surrounding a plenum (17) and having a first side portion (21), a second side portion (27), an inner surface (33) facing the plenum (17) and an outer surface (37) in contact with an ambient flow (39), wherein the leading edge panel (13) includes micro pores (45), wherein a first port device (49) is arranged in the first side portion (21) fluidly connected to the plenum (17) via a duct (53) defined by a duct structure (105), and wherein the first port device (49) comprises a first door (55) pivotable by a first hinge (57) about a first hinge axis (59).

A LEADING EDGE STRUCTURE FOR A FLOW CONTROL SYSTEM OF AN AIRCRAFT

A leading edge structure (11) for a flow control system of an aircraft (1), including a leading edge panel (13) surrounding a plenum (17) and having a first side portion (21), a second side portion (27), an inner surface (33) facing the plenum (17) and an outer surface (37) in contact with an ambient flow (39), wherein the leading edge panel (13) includes micro pores (45), wherein a first port device (49) is arranged in the first side portion (21) fluidly connected to the plenum (17) via a duct (53) defined by a duct structure (105), and wherein the first port device (49) comprises a first door (55) pivotable by a first hinge (57) about a first hinge axis (59).

A LEADING EDGE STRUCTURE FOR A FLOW CONTROL SYSTEM OF AN AIRCRAFT

A leading edge structure (11) for a flow control system of an aircraft (1), including a leading edge panel (13) that surrounds a plenum (17), wherein the leading edge panel (13) has a first side portion (21), a second side portion (27), an inner surface (33) and an outer surface (37), wherein the leading edge panel (13) having micro pores (45) forming a fluid connection between the plenum (17) and the ambient flow (39), wherein a first air inlet/outlet device (49) is arranged in the first side portion (21) and a second air inlet outlet/device (51) is arranged in the second side portion (27), fluidly connected to the plenum (17), and wherein the first air inlet/outlet device (49) comprises a pivotable first door (55) and the second air inlet outlet/device (51) comprises a pivotable second door (61).

A LEADING EDGE STRUCTURE FOR A FLOW CONTROL SYSTEM OF AN AIRCRAFT

A leading edge structure (11) for a flow control system of an aircraft (1), including a leading edge panel (13) that surrounds a plenum (17), wherein the leading edge panel (13) has a first side portion (21), a second side portion (27), an inner surface (33) and an outer surface (37), wherein the leading edge panel (13) having micro pores (45) forming a fluid connection between the plenum (17) and the ambient flow (39), wherein a first air inlet/outlet device (49) is arranged in the first side portion (21) and a second air inlet outlet/device (51) is arranged in the second side portion (27), fluidly connected to the plenum (17), and wherein the first air inlet/outlet device (49) comprises a pivotable first door (55) and the second air inlet outlet/device (51) comprises a pivotable second door (61).

Control system for an aircraft and a method of operating the control system

An aircraft and a control system for the aircraft includes a tilt-wing defining an inlet configured to receive air and an outlet in fluid communication with the inlet such that the outlet is configured to expel the air. The control system includes a high-lift device coupled to at least one of a leading edge, and a trailing edge of the tilt-wing. The high-lift device is movable relative to the tilt-wing. The control system includes a compressor in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet. The compressor is configured to increase pressure of the air that is expelled out of the outlet. The outlet directs the pressurized air toward at least one of the high-lift device and a center section of the tilt-wing to maintain attachment of airflow across the tilt-wing. A method of operating the control system of the aircraft occurs to maintain attachment of airflow across the tilt-wing.