A simple, safe, and inexpensive flight control system in an aircraft. An anti-torque system for a rotary-wing aircraft has an airfoil with a first surface extending from a first trailing edge and a leading edge, and a second surface extending from a second trailing edge to join the first surface at the leading edge. The airfoil has a first moveable deflector panel pivotally coupled to the first trailing edge, and a second moveable deflector panel pivotally coupled to the second trailing edge. Means are provided to pivot the deflector panels in unison about their respective pivot axes to alter the direction of travel of the airflow downstream of the pivot axes over the surfaces of the deflector panels, thereby producing a lift in a direction perpendicular to the airflow to counteract the torque applied on the aircraft. The flight control system may be arranged within a fixed-wing aircraft.

A method of monitoring a power drive unit installed on an aircraft is provided. The method includes causing, by a controller, sensors to measure an angular position at corresponding locations along at least one wing of the aircraft. The controller, as part of the method, receives the angular position from the one or more sensors and analyzes the angular position to generate feedback information to implement the monitoring of the power drive unit.

A method of monitoring a power drive unit installed on an aircraft is provided. The method includes causing, by a controller, sensors to measure an angular position at corresponding locations along at least one wing of the aircraft. The controller, as part of the method, receives the angular position from the one or more sensors and analyzes the angular position to generate feedback information to implement the monitoring of the power drive unit.

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.

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.

An aircraft that closely integrates thrust and aerodynamics to achieve VTOL flight, forward flight, and smooth transitions from VTOL to forward flight. The invention combines a Box wing, Ducted Rotors and movable Flaperons for VTOL and sustained forward flight of an aircraft. In forward flight, the concept uses a plurality of fixed Ducted Rotors to not only provide thrust, but also enhance dynamic lift and controllability by interacting closely with the two fixed primary lifting bodies of each ducted wing section. In VTOL flight and transitioning to forward flight, the Ducted Rotors direct air through movable Flaperons attached to the trailing end of the ducted wings, providing smooth power, controllability, and aircraft orientation throughout transition. Throughout all phases of flight, differential actuation of Ducted Rotors and Flaperons provide control.

An aircraft that closely integrates thrust and aerodynamics to achieve VTOL flight, forward flight, and smooth transitions from VTOL to forward flight. The invention combines a Box wing, Ducted Rotors and movable Flaperons for VTOL and sustained forward flight of an aircraft. In forward flight, the concept uses a plurality of fixed Ducted Rotors to not only provide thrust, but also enhance dynamic lift and controllability by interacting closely with the two fixed primary lifting bodies of each ducted wing section. In VTOL flight and transitioning to forward flight, the Ducted Rotors direct air through movable Flaperons attached to the trailing end of the ducted wings, providing smooth power, controllability, and aircraft orientation throughout transition. Throughout all phases of flight, differential actuation of Ducted Rotors and Flaperons provide control.

A wing for an aircraft is disclosed including a main wing, a leading edge high lift assembly having a leading edge high lift body, and a connection assembly movably connecting the leading edge high lift body to the main wing, wherein the connection assembly includes a drive system that is mounted to the main wing and connected to the leading edge high lift body for driving the leading edge high lift body between the retracted position and the extended position. The drive system includes a first drive unit and a second drive unit, the first drive unit has a first input section coupled to a drive shaft, a first gear unit and a first output section coupled to a first connection element and including a first output wheel. The second drive unit has a second input section coupled to the drive shaft, a second gear unit, and a second output section coupled to a second connection element and including a second output wheel.

A wing for an aircraft is disclosed including a main wing, a leading edge high lift assembly having a leading edge high lift body, and a connection assembly movably connecting the leading edge high lift body to the main wing, wherein the connection assembly includes a drive system that is mounted to the main wing and connected to the leading edge high lift body for driving the leading edge high lift body between the retracted position and the extended position. The drive system includes a first drive unit and a second drive unit, the first drive unit has a first input section coupled to a drive shaft, a first gear unit and a first output section coupled to a first connection element and including a first output wheel. The second drive unit has a second input section coupled to the drive shaft, a second gear unit, and a second output section coupled to a second connection element and including a second output wheel.

A drive system for driving a movable flow body is disclosed having a drive unit, a shaft, a torque sensing device, a no-back friction unit, and an axial bearing. The drive unit is coupled with the shaft to rotate the shaft, the torque sensing device is coupled with at least one of the drive unit and the shaft to detect a torque transferred from the drive unit into the shaft, the no-back friction unit is arranged between the axial bearing and an axial support means of the shaft, such that an axial load of the shaft is supported by the axial bearing, and the no-back friction unit is configured to substantially not counteract a rotation of the shaft in a first direction of rotation of the shaft and to apply a friction-induced additional torque to the shaft in an opposite second direction of rotation.