A method and apparatus for positioning a control surface. An apparatus comprises an arm, first link, and second link. The arm has first and second ends, the first end of the arm rotatably coupled to a wing structure to define a first pivot point. The first link has first and second ends, the first end being rotatably coupled to the second end of the arm. The second link has first and second ends, the first end rotatably coupled to the first end of the arm. When the second end of the first link is rotatably coupled to a first control surface and the second end of the second link is rotatably coupled to a second control surface, movement of the first control surface away from the wing structure rotates the arm about the first pivot point such that the second control surface moves in coordination with the first control surface.

An aircraft wing incorporating an active flow control (AFC) device The AFC device comprises a fluid chamber housed in the wing providing a conduit for receiving fluid and accommodating the fluid at elevated pressure. Forward and rearward fluid channels having respective inlets and outlets are also provided, wherein the inlets are in fluid communication with the fluid chamber and the outlets emerge on the upper surface of the wing at or adjacent the leading edge. A valve assembly allows the channels to be opened and closed as desired. During flight, fluid at elevated pressure can be supplied to the fluid chamber and released through either the forward or the rearward fluid channel or both, so as to influence the air flow, e.g., to reduce or increase lift, or to equalize pressure in the air stream direction.

A lift-changing mechanism is configured to change generated by a wing of an aircraft and includes a slit and an opening and closing member. The slit extends in a wingspan direction inside the wing and forms openings on the lower surface of the wing and on the upper surface of the wing respectively. A part of airflow below the lower surface is allowed to flow toward the upper surface through the slit. The opening and closing member is configured to open and close the slit. When the opening and closing member opens the slit, lift generated on the wing is decreased compared with when the slit is closed.

An actuator system for controlling a flight surface of an aircraft includes a first actuator having a first actuator input and a first linear translation element that moves based on rotational motion received at the first actuator input and a first sensor coupled to the first linear translation element that generates a first output based on a displacement of the first linear translation element. The system also includes a second actuator having a second actuator input and a second linear translation element that moves based on rotational motion received at the second actuator input and a second sensor coupled to the second linear translation element that generates a second output based on a displacement of the second linear translation element. The system also includes a control unit that receives the first and second outputs and determines if an error condition exists for the system based on first and second output.

A C-shaped connection assembly transmits loads in a load plane between a first and a second wing element. The connection assembly comprises a first and a second L-shaped load-bearing device. Each load-bearing device comprises a joint region and two legs extending parallel to the load plane and away from the joint region towards respective end regions. One leg of the first load-bearing device extends parallel to one leg of the second load bearing device. These legs are connected to one another. Two coupling portions which connect the connection assembly to the second wing element are formed in the respective joint regions of the load-bearing devices. Two further coupling portions which connect the connection assembly to the first wing element are formed in respective free end region of the load-bearing device and the joint region of the second load-bearing device.

A lift-changing mechanism is configured to change generated by a wing of an aircraft and includes a slit and an opening and closing member. The slit extends in a wingspan direction inside the wing and forms openings on the lower surface of the wing and on the upper surface of the wing respectively. A part of airflow below the lower surface is allowed to flow toward the upper surface through the slit. The opening and closing member is configured to open and close the slit. When the opening and closing member opens the slit, lift generated on the wing is decreased compared with when the slit is closed.

A wing leading-edge device is disclosed having a slat body having a front side with a forward skin and a back side with a rearward skin, and at least a drive arrangement having at least one lug and a slat track, wherein the back side extends between an upper spanwise edge of the forward skin and a lower spanwise edge of the forward skin. The back side is defined by a continuously curved profile contour for receiving a fixed leading edge, and the at least one lug is at least partially arranged between the back side and the front side. The slat track is coupled with the first lug. The connection points to the slat body are shifted far forward to improve the load introduction and reduce moments acting on the drive mechanism.

A propulsion system is provided. The propulsion system comprises a ducted electric bypass fan and an electrical generator powered by a turbine in an engine and configured to provide electricity to the electric bypass fan.

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.

An aerodynamic device includes a main aerodynamic body having a leading edge and a trailing edge, a flight control surface coupled to the main aerodynamic body near the trailing edge of the main aerodynamic body, and a translating body coupled to the flight control surface. The translating body is moveable relative to the flight control surface between a sealed position and a retracted position to define a gap. The translating body is extended toward the main aerodynamic body while in the sealed position to close the gap. The translating body is retracted away from the main aerodynamic body while in the retracted position to widen the gap. The gap adjusts an airflow flowing between the main aerodynamic body and the flight control surface.