A method of securing a lower trailing edge panel of an aircraft wing. The wing includes a wingbox with an upper cover, a lower cover, and a rear spar. A leading edge of the lower trailing edge panel is attached to the wingbox. A support structure is also attached to the wingbox and a connector is mounted to the trailing edge panel. A link is provided, with a first end and a second end. The second end of the link is pivotally attached to the support structure at a pivot joint. A biasing arrangement biases the link towards an upright orientation in which the first end of the link is higher than the pivot joint. The link is held in its upright orientation with the biasing arrangement; and then the first end of the link is attached to the connector.

An aircraft wing including a wingbox with an upper cover, a lower cover, and a rear spar. A lower trailing edge panel is provided with a leading edge attached to the wingbox. The wing includes a flap, a flap deployment mechanism which is configured to deploy the flap, and a fairing which covers the flap deployment mechanism. A first end of a link is pivotally attached to the lower trailing edge panel at a first pivot joint, and a second end of the link is pivotally attached to the fairing at a second pivot joint. The second pivot joint is lower than the first pivot joint.

An aircraft wing including a wingbox with an upper cover, a lower cover, a forward spar and a rear spar. A leading edge of a trailing edge panel is attached to the wingbox. A support structure is attached to the wingbox and a connector is movably mounted to the trailing edge panel on a bearing. A first end of a link is attached to the connector, and a second end of the link is attached to the support structure. During assembly, the connector is moved on the bearing from a first position to a second position where the connector is aligned with the first end of the link, then the connector at the second position is attached to the first end of the link. The connector may be moved by a rack-and-pinion mechanism.

In order to improve linear drives on aircraft with regards to backlash, gear reduction, self-lock capability, load transfer and wear, a linear drive device is provided that has a first member with engaging teeth, such as a tooth rack and a second member which functions as a drive unit. The second member includes a plurality of movable teeth that are actuated by a cam shaft. The cam shaft has a control cam portion that is shaped such that the movable teeth perform a wave-like motion that forces the first member along its longitudinal direction relative to the second member.

In order to improve linear drives on aircraft with regards to backlash, gear reduction, self-lock capability, load transfer and wear, a linear drive device is provided that has a first member with engaging teeth, such as a tooth rack and a second member which functions as a drive unit. The second member includes a plurality of movable teeth that are actuated by a cam shaft. The cam shaft has a control cam portion that is shaped such that the movable teeth perform a wave-like motion that forces the first member along its longitudinal direction relative to the second member.

In order to provide a track drive device for an aircraft that has zero backlash, a large gear reduction, the ability to self-lock, and a better load transfer and reduced wear, the track drive device drives a track member through a drive device that has at least one drive unit that is arranged adjacent to the track member. Each drive unit comprises a plurality of engaging members that are driven by a cam shaft or a cam gear such that the engaging members are sequentially shifted in a wave-like pattern which results in the track member being moved in a linear manner relative to the drive device along a longitudinal direction.

In order to provide a track drive device for an aircraft that has zero backlash, a large gear reduction, the ability to self-lock, and a better load transfer and reduced wear, the track drive device drives a track member through a drive device that has at least one drive unit that is arranged adjacent to the track member. Each drive unit comprises a plurality of engaging members that are driven by a cam shaft or a cam gear such that the engaging members are sequentially shifted in a wave-like pattern which results in the track member being moved in a linear manner relative to the drive device along a longitudinal direction.

A leading edge assembly for an aircraft wing. The leading edge assembly includes a housing configured to be connectable to a fixed wing section of the wing, the housing formed with a first opening connecting an exterior of the housing with an interior of the housing, an actuating element movably connected to the housing, such that the actuating element is movable between a first position and at least one second position. The actuating element extends through the first opening and includes a first section arranged in the interior of the housing and a second section arranged at the exterior of the housing. The actuating element is configured to be connectable to a high lift device.

A leading edge assembly for an aircraft wing. The leading edge assembly includes a housing configured to be connectable to a fixed wing section of the wing, the housing formed with a first opening connecting an exterior of the housing with an interior of the housing, an actuating element movably connected to the housing, such that the actuating element is movable between a first position and at least one second position. The actuating element extends through the first opening and includes a first section arranged in the interior of the housing and a second section arranged at the exterior of the housing. The actuating element is configured to be connectable to a high lift device.

Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed for redundant actuation of control surfaces. An example apparatus includes a control surface of an aircraft, and an actuator to move the control surface. The example apparatus also includes an electric motor to move the actuator; the electric motor communicatively coupled to an electrical system of the aircraft. The example apparatus also includes a hydraulic motor to move the actuator, the hydraulic motor fluidly coupled to a hydraulic system of the aircraft. The example apparatus also includes a sensor to detect incorrect operation of the hydraulic system. The example apparatus also includes a switch operatively coupled to the sensor, the switch to enable operation of the electric motor in response to the detected incorrect operation of the hydraulic system.