WING FOR AN AIRCRAFT

Abstract

An aircraft wing (3) including a main wing (5), a slat (7), and a connection assembly (9) movably connecting the slat (7) to the main wing (5). The connection assembly (9) includes an elongate slat track (17) extending along a track longitudinal axis (19) having a front end (21) an intermediate portion (25) and a rear end (23). The front end (21) and/or the intermediate portion (25) is mounted to the slat (7). The rear end (23) and/or the intermediate portion (25) is mounted to the main wing (5) by a roller bearing (27). The roller bearing (27) includes a guide rail (29) mounted to the main wing (5) and a first roller unit (31) mounted to the rear end (23) of the slat track (17) and engaging the guide rail (29), and wherein the guide rail (29) includes an upper rail portion (32) and a lower rail portion (34).

Claims

1. A wing for an aircraft, the wing including: a main wing, and a leading edge high lift assembly including: a slat, and a connection assembly movably connecting the slat to the main wing, such that the slat is movable between a retracted position and at least one extended position, wherein the connection assembly comprises an elongate slat track that extends along a track longitudinal axis between a front end and a rear end and has an intermediate portion between the front and rear ends, wherein the front end and/or the intermediate portion of the slat track is mounted to the slat, wherein the rear end and/or the intermediate portion of the slat track is mounted to the main wing by a roller bearing such that the slat track is movable along the track longitudinal axis, wherein the roller bearing comprises a guide rail mounted to the main wing and a first roller unit mounted to the rear end of the slat track and engaging the guide rail, wherein the guide rail comprises an upper rail portion and a lower rail portion, and wherein the guide rail comprises a longitudinal slot in the upper rail portion and/or in the lower rail portion.

2. The wing according to claim 1, wherein the slot is throughgoing from a front end to a rear end of the guide rail.

3. The wing according to claim 1, wherein the guide rail comprises a first rail part arranged at a first side of the slat track and a second rail part arranged at a second side of the slat track, and wherein the slot extends between the first rail part and the second rail part.

4. The wing according to claim 3, wherein the guide rail comprises an upper slot in the upper rail portion and a lower slot in the lower rail portion, wherein the upper slot and the lower slot are throughgoing from the front end to the rear end of the guide rail.

5. The wing according to claim 3, wherein the first rail part and/or the second rail part have a C-shaped cross section including the upper rail portion, the lower rail portion, and a side portion connecting the upper rail portion and the lower rail portion.

6. The wing according to claim 1, wherein the connection assembly comprises an actuation device mounted to the main wing and engaging the slat track configured to move the slat track and the slat between the retracted position and the at least one extended position, wherein the actuation device reaches through the slot when engaging the slat track.

7. The wing according to claim 6, wherein the actuation device comprises a rotating drive arm that is rotatably driven about a drive axis and that is mounted to the slat track, and wherein the drive arm reaches through the slot.

8. The wing according to claim 7, wherein the drive arm reaches through the slot in the lower rail portion.

9. The wing according to claim 6, wherein the actuation unit comprises a rack-and-pinion drive including a pinion that is rotatably driven and that engages a toothed rack provided at the slat track, wherein the pinion reaches through the slot.

10. The wing according to claim 1, wherein the roller bearing comprises a second roller unit that is mounted to the main wing and that engages an engagement surface provided at the intermediate portion of the slat track, wherein the slat track has a profile comprising an upper flange portion, a lower flange portion and at least one web portion connecting upper and lower flange portions, and wherein the second roller unit is arranged in a recess between upper and lower flange portions and engages the engagement surface provided at the upper flange portion and/or at the lower flange portion, wherein the slat track has such a profile that a first recess is formed between the upper and lower flange portions at a first side of the web portion, and a second recess is formed between the upper and lower flange portions at a second side of the web portion opposite the first side, wherein the second roller unit comprises a first roller element and a second roller element, wherein the first roller element is arranged in the first recess and the second roller element is arranged in the second recess, and wherein first and second roller elements are arranged coaxially and have the same radius.

11. The wing according to claim 1, wherein the first roller unit comprises a third roller element and a fourth roller element, wherein third and fourth roller elements are arranged coaxially and have the same radius.

12. The wing according to claim 11, wherein the third roller element engages with the first rail part and/or the fourth roller element engages with the second rail part.

13. The wing according to claim 1, wherein the slat track comprises a first track part and a second track part that are formed separate from one another, wherein each of the first and second track parts is formed integrally and extends along the track longitudinal axis from the rear end to the front end, wherein the first and second track parts are mounted to one another and rest against one another along a contact plane spanned by the track longitudinal axis and a wing thickness direction, wherein the third roller element is mounted to the first track part and the fourth roller element is mounted to the second track part.

14. A leading edge high lift assembly for a wing of an aircraft, the leading edge high lift assembly comprising a slat, and a connection assembly configured to moveably connect the slat to a main wing of the wing of the aircraft such that the slat is movable, relative to the main wing, between a retracted position and at least one extended position, wherein the connection assembly comprises an elongate slat track that extends along a track longitudinal axis between a front end and a rear end, and an intermediate portion is between the front end and rear end, wherein the front end and/or the intermediate portion of the slat track is configured to be mounted to the slat, wherein the rear end and/or the intermediate portion of the slat track is configured to be mounted to the main wing by a roller bearing such that the slat track is movable along the track longitudinal axis, wherein the roller bearing comprises a guide rail configured to be mounted to the main wing, and a first roller unit mounted to the rear end of the slat track and configured for engaging the guide rail, wherein the guide rail comprises an upper rail portion and a lower rail portion, and wherein the guide rail comprises a longitudinal slot in the upper rail portion and/or in the lower rail portion.

15. An aircraft comprising the wing according to claim 1.

Description

SUMMARY OF DRAWINGS

[0028] Hereinafter, an embodiment(s) of the present invention is described in more detail by means of a drawing identified below:

[0029] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an aircraft according to an embodiment of the present invention,

[0030] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of a wing according to the prior art, including a connection assembly,

[0031] FIG. 3 is a top view of the connection assembly shown in FIG. 2,

[0032] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the connection assembly shown in FIG. 2,

[0033] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view across the track longitudinal axis of the connection assembly shown in FIG. 2,

[0034] FIG. 6 is a perspective view from below of a connection assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, and

[0035] FIG. 7 is a perspective view from above of the connection assembly shown in FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] In FIG. 1 an aircraft 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The aircraft 1 comprises a wing 3 that is formed according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] FIG. 2 shows a wing 3 as known from the prior art in more detail. The wing 3 comprises a main wing 5 and a leading edge high lift assembly 6. The leading edge high lift assembly 6 comprises a slat 7 and a connection assembly 9 movably connecting the slat 7 to the main wing 5, such that the slat 7 is movable between a retracted position and at least one extended position.

[0038] The connection assembly 9 comprises an elongate slat track 17 that extends along a track longitudinal axis 19 between a front end 21 and a rear end 23 and has an intermediate portion 25 between the front and rear ends 21, 23. The front end 21 of the slat track 17 is fixedly mounted to the slat 7. The rear end 23 and the intermediate portion 25 of the slat track 17 are movably mounted to the main wing 5 by a roller bearing 27 such that the slat track 17 is movable along the track longitudinal axis 19. The roller bearing 27 comprises a guide rail 29 fixedly mounted to the main wing 5 and a first roller unit 31 fixedly mounted to the rear end 23 of the slat track 17 and engaging the guide rail 29. The guide rail 29 comprises an upper rail portion 32 for engagement with the first roller unit 31 from above and extending above the slat track 17, and a lower rail portion 34 for engagement with the first roller unit 31 from below and extending below the slat track 17. The roller bearing 27 further comprises a second roller unit 33 that is fixedly mounted to the main wing 5 and that engages an engagement surface 35 provided at the intermediate portion 25 of the slat track 17. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the slat track 17 has a double-C-shaped profile 37 comprising an upper flange portion 39, a lower flange portion 41 and at least one web portion 43 connecting upper and lower flange portions 39, 41. The second roller unit 33 is arranged in a recess 45 between upper and lower flange portions 39, 41 and engages the engagement surface 35 provided at the upper flange portion 39 and at the lower flange portion 41.

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the double-C-shaped profile 37 of the slat track 17 provides that a first recess 45a is formed between the upper and lower flange portions 39, 41 at a first side 47 of the web portion 43, and a second recess 45b is formed between the upper and lower flange portions 39, 41 at a second side 49 of the web portion 43 opposite the first side 47. The second roller unit 33 comprises a first roller element 51 and a second roller element 53. The first roller element 51 is arranged in the first recess 45a and the second roller element 53 is arranged in the second recess 45b. First and second roller elements 51, 53 are arranged coaxially and have the same radius. The first roller element 51 is mounted on a first shaft 55 and the second roller element 53 is mounted on a second shaft 57 separate from the first shaft 55. First and second shafts 55, 57 are independently supported at the main wing 5.

[0040] FIGS. 3 to 5 show that the slat track 17 comprises a first track part 59 and a second track part 61 that are formed separate from one another. Each of the first and second track parts 59, 61 is formed integrally and extends along the track longitudinal axis 19 from the rear end 23 to the front end 21. The first and second track parts 59, 61 are mounted to one another by bolts 63 and rest against one another along a contact plane 65 spanned by the track longitudinal axis 19 and a wing thickness direction 67. As visible in FIG. 3, the first roller unit 31 comprises a third roller element 69 and a fourth roller element 71. Third and fourth roller elements 69, 71 are arranged coaxially and have the same radius. The third roller element 69 is mounted to the first track part 59 and the fourth roller element 71 is mounted to the second track part 61.

[0041] FIGS. 6 and 7 show a connection assembly 9 according to an embodiment of the invention. The connection assembly 9 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 differs from the prior art connection assembly 9 shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 by the guide rail 29 comprising a longitudinal slot 73 in the upper rail portion 32 and in the lower rail portion 34. The slot 73 extends in the longitudinal direction of the slat track 17 in parallel to the track longitudinal axis 19. Further, the slot 73 is throughgoing from a front end 77 to a rear end 79 of the guide rail 29.

[0042] The guide rail 29 comprises a first rail part 81 arranged at a first side 83 of the slat track 17 and a second rail part 85 arranged at a second side 87 of the slat track 17. The slot 73 extends between the first rail part 81 and the second rail part 85, i.e. forming the border between the first rail part 81 and the second rail part 85. As visible in FIGS. 6 and 7, the guide rail 29 comprises an upper slot 89 in the upper rail portion 32 and a lower slot 90 in the lower rail portion 34. The upper slot 89 and the lower slot 90 are throughgoing from the front end 77 to the rear end 79 of the guide rail 29, so that the first rail part 81 and the second rail part 85 are formed separately, separated by the upper and lower slots 89, 90. The first rail part 81 and the second rail part 85 have a C-shaped cross section, when viewed across the track longitudinal axis 19, including the upper rail portion 32 formed as an upper flange, the lower rail portion 34 formed as a lower flange, and a side portion 94 formed as a web connecting the upper rail portion 32 to the lower rail portion 34. The C-shape is arranged such that it is concave with respect to the slat track 17.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 6, the connection assembly 9 comprises an actuation device 96 mounted to the main wing 5 and engaging the slat track 17 for moving the slat track 17 and the slat 7 between the retracted position and the at least one extended position. The actuation device 96 reaches through the slot 73 when engaging the slat track 17. In the present embodiment, the actuation device 96 comprises a rotating drive arm 97 that is mounted to the main wing 5 and that is rotatably driven about a drive axis 99 and is mounted to the slat track 17 in a rotatable manner. The drive arm 97 reaches through the slot 73 when the drive arm 97 moves the slat track 17 along the guide rail 29. In the present embodiment, the drive arm 97 reaches through the slot 73 in the lower rail portion 34. The slat track 17 is curved having a concave form with respect to the drive arm 97.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 1, the connection assembly 9 is a first connection assembly 91, and the wing 3 comprises a second connection assembly 93 connecting the slat 7 to the main wing 5 in a position spaced apart from the first connection assembly 91 in a wing span direction 95, and wherein the second connection assembly 93 is formed as the first connection assembly 91.

[0045] By the present invention as described above, the slot 73 enables an actuation device 96 to reach through it and thus project through the upper rail portion 32 and/or the lower rail portion 34 when the slat track 17 and slat 7 is moved between the retracted position and the at least one extended position. The guide rail 29 therefore does not form an obstacle any more for engagement of the slat track 17 by an actuation device 96 from above or below.

[0046] An aircraft wing 3 including a main wing 5, a leading edge high lift assembly having a slat 7, and a connection assembly 9 movably connecting the slat 7 to the main wing 5, such that the slat 7 is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The connection assembly 9 includes an elongate slat track 17 extending along a track longitudinal axis 19 between a front end 21 and a rear end 23, and has an intermediate portion 25 between the front and rear ends 21, 23. The front end 21 and/or the intermediate portion 25 is mounted to the slat 7, wherein the rear end 23 and/or the intermediate portion 25 of the slat track 17 are mounted to the main wing 5 by a roller bearing 27 such that the slat track 17 is movable along the track longitudinal axis 19, wherein the roller bearing 27 comprises a guide rail 29 mounted to the main wing 5 and a first roller unit 31 mounted to the rear end 23 of the slat track 17 and engaging the guide rail 29, and wherein the guide rail 29 comprises an upper rail portion 32 and a lower rail portion 34. A wing 3 that embodies the invention enables efficient and flexible actuation of the slat track 17 by an actuation device 96, is achieved in that the guide rail 29 comprises a longitudinal slot 73 in the upper rail portion 32 and/or in the lower rail portion 34.

[0047] While at least one exemplary embodiment of the present invention(s) is disclosed herein, it should be understood that modifications, substitutions and alternatives may be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art and can be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. This disclosure is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the exemplary embodiment(s). In addition, in this disclosure, the terms comprise or comprising do not exclude other elements or steps, the terms a or one do not exclude a plural number, and the term or means either or both, unless the disclosure states otherwise. Furthermore, characteristics or steps which have been described may also be used in combination with other characteristics or steps and in any order unless the disclosure or context suggests otherwise. This disclosure hereby incorporates by reference the complete disclosure of any patent or application from which it claims benefit or priority.