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BR-102025008404-A2 - SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ACTUATING AN AUXILIARY AIRFOIL OF AN AIRCRAFT WING, AND AN AIRCRAFT WING

BR102025008404A2BR 102025008404 A2BR102025008404 A2BR 102025008404A2BR-102025008404-A2

Abstract

A system for actuating an auxiliary airfoil of an aircraft wing includes a primary support, an auxiliary support, an actuator support, and an actuator. The primary support is rotationally coupled to the auxiliary airfoil at a rotary joint of the forward auxiliary airfoil to move the auxiliary airfoil between a retracted position and one or more extended positions. The auxiliary support is coupled to the auxiliary airfoil to pivot the auxiliary airfoil around the rotary joint of the forward auxiliary airfoil when the auxiliary airfoil moves between the retracted position and one or more extended positions. The actuator support is coupled to the auxiliary airfoil. The actuator is coupled to the actuator support at a rotary joint of the rear auxiliary airfoil to actuate the auxiliary airfoil between the retracted position and one or more extended positions.

Inventors

  • SAMUEL L. BLOCK
  • GREGORY SANTINIORY SANTINI
  • RAMON A. BURIN

Assignees

  • THE BOEING COMPANY

Dates

Publication Date
20260317
Application Date
20250429
Priority Date
20240904

Claims (20)

  1. 1. System (100) for actuating an auxiliary airfoil (1230) of a wing (1220) of an aircraft (1200), characterized in that the system (100) comprises; a primary support (102) rotationally coupled to the auxiliary airfoil (1230) at a rotary joint of the forward auxiliary airfoil (122) to move the auxiliary airfoil (1230) between a retracted position and one or more extended positions; an auxiliary support (104) coupled to the auxiliary airfoil (1230) to pivot the auxiliary airfoil (1230) around the rotary joint of the forward auxiliary airfoil (122) when the auxiliary airfoil (1230) moves between the retracted position and one or more extended positions; and an actuator support (106) coupled to the auxiliary airfoil (1230); and an actuator (108) coupled to the actuator holder (106) on a rotary joint of the rear auxiliary airfoil (124) to actuate the auxiliary airfoil (1230) between the retracted position and one or more extended positions.
  2. 2. System (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the rotary joint of the front auxiliary airfoil (122) is positioned in front of the rotary joint of the rear auxiliary airfoil (124).
  3. 3. System (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: the rotary joint of the front auxiliary airfoil (122) is located in the auxiliary airfoil (1230); and the rotary joint of the rear auxiliary airfoil (124) is located in the wing (1220) when the auxiliary airfoil (1230) is in the retracted position.
  4. 4. System (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: the rotary joint of the front auxiliary airfoil (122) has a geometric axis of articulation of the front auxiliary airfoil (A1) that passes through the auxiliary airfoil (1230) and the primary support (102); and the geometric axis of articulation of the front auxiliary airfoil (A1) is positioned in front of the rotary joint of the rear auxiliary airfoil (124).
  5. 5. System (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: the rotary joint of the front auxiliary airfoil (122) moves along an arched forward path (P1) when the auxiliary airfoil (1230) moves between the retracted position and one or more extended positions; and the rotary joint of the rear auxiliary airfoil (124) moves along an arched backward path (P2) when the auxiliary airfoil (1230) moves between the retracted position and one or more extended positions.
  6. 6. System (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that the rotary joint of the front auxiliary airfoil (122) rotates around the rotary joint of the rear auxiliary airfoil (124) when the auxiliary airfoil (1230) moves between the retracted position and one or more extended positions.
  7. 7. System (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the primary support (102) comprises a four-bar linkage (110), comprising: a coupling link (112) rotationally coupled to the auxiliary airfoil (1230) at the rotary joint of the front auxiliary airfoil (122); a front link connected to the mass (114) rotationally coupled to the coupling link (112) and to a wing frame (1224) (1220); and a rear link connected to the mass (116) rotationally coupled to the coupling link (112) and to the wing frame (1224) (1220).
  8. 8. System (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that one of the front link connected to the mass (114) and the rear link connected to the mass (116) is longer than the other of the front link connected to the mass (114) and the rear link connected to the mass (116).
  9. 9. System (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the primary support (102) comprises: a guide (144) coupled to a wing frame (1224) (1220); and a primary rail (142) rotationally coupled to the auxiliary airfoil (1230) at the rotary joint of the front auxiliary airfoil (122) and movably coupled to the guide (144).
  10. 10. System (100) according to claim 9, characterized in that: the guide (144) comprises a plurality of primary rollers (146) coupled to the wing frame (1224) (1220); and the primary rail (142) moves along the plurality of primary rollers (146) relative to the frame (1224).
  11. 11. System (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the auxiliary support (104) comprises: an auxiliary rail (132); and an auxiliary support arm (134) coupled to the auxiliary airfoil (1230) and movably coupled to the auxiliary rail (132).
  12. 12. System (100) according to claim 11, characterized in that: the auxiliary rail (132) comprises a slot (136); and the auxiliary support arm (134) comprises an auxiliary roller (138) that moves along the slot (136).
  13. 13. Wing (1220) of an aircraft (1200), characterized in that it comprises: a leading edge (1222); a frame (1224); an auxiliary airfoil (1230) movable relative to the leading edge (1222); a primary support (102) rotationally coupled to the auxiliary airfoil (1230) at a rotary joint of the forward auxiliary airfoil (122) and rotationally coupled to the frame (1224) to move the auxiliary airfoil (1230) between a retracted position and one or more extended positions; an auxiliary support (104) coupled to the auxiliary airfoil (1230) to pivot the auxiliary airfoil (1230) around the rotary joint of the forward auxiliary airfoil (122) when the auxiliary airfoil (1230) moves between the retracted position and one or more extended positions; and an actuator holder (106) coupled to the auxiliary airfoil (1230); and an actuator (108) coupled to the actuator holder (106) in a rotary joint of the rear auxiliary airfoil (124) to actuate the auxiliary airfoil (1230) between the retracted position and one or more extended positions.
  14. 14. Wing (1220) according to claim 13, characterized in that the rotary joint of the front auxiliary airfoil (122) is positioned ahead of the rotary joint of the rear auxiliary airfoil (124).
  15. 15. Wing (1220) according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that: the rotary joint of the front auxiliary airfoil (122) is located on the auxiliary airfoil (1230); and the rotary joint of the rear auxiliary airfoil (124) is located on the wing (1220) behind the leading edge (1222) when the auxiliary airfoil (1230) is in the retracted position; the rotary joint of the front auxiliary airfoil (122) has a geometric axis of articulation of the front auxiliary airfoil (A1) that passes through the auxiliary airfoil (1230) and the primary support (102); the rotary joint of the front auxiliary airfoil (122) moves along an arched forward path (P1) when the auxiliary airfoil (1230) moves between the retracted position and one or more extended positions; the rotary joint of the rear auxiliary airfoil (124) moves along a rearward arched path (P2) when the auxiliary airfoil (1230) moves between the retracted position and one or more extended positions; and the rotary joint of the front auxiliary airfoil (122) rotates around the rotary joint of the rear auxiliary airfoil (124) when the auxiliary airfoil (1230) moves between the retracted position and one or more extended positions.
  16. 16. Wing (1220) according to any one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that: the primary support (102) comprises a four-bar linkage (110), comprising: a coupling link (112) rotationally coupled to the auxiliary airfoil (1230) at the rotary joint of the front auxiliary airfoil (122); a front link connected to the mass (114) rotationally coupled to the coupling link (112) and to the frame (1224); and a rear link connected to the mass (116) rotationally coupled to the coupling link (112) and to the frame (1224).
  17. 17. Wing (1220) according to any one of claims 13 to 16, characterized in that the primary support (102) comprises: a plurality of primary rollers (146) coupled to the wing frame (1224) (1220); and a primary rail (142) rotationally coupled to the auxiliary airfoil (1230) at the rotary joint of the front auxiliary airfoil (122) and movably coupled to the plurality of primary rollers (146).
  18. 18. Wing (1220) according to any one of claims 13 to 17, characterized in that the auxiliary support (104) comprises: an auxiliary rail (132) located on the wing (1220) behind the leading edge (1222); and an auxiliary support arm (134) coupled to the auxiliary airfoil (1230) and movably coupled to the auxiliary rail (132).
  19. 19. Method (1000) for actuating an auxiliary airfoil (1230) of a wing (1220) of an aircraft (1200), characterized in that the method (1000) comprises: actuating the auxiliary airfoil (1230) between a retracted position and one or more extended positions using an actuator (108) coupled to an actuator holder (106) on a rotary joint of the rear auxiliary airfoil (124); moving the auxiliary airfoil (1230) relative to a leading edge (1222) of the wing (1220) between the retracted position and one or more extended positions using a primary holder (102) rotationally coupled to the auxiliary airfoil (1230) on a rotary joint of the front auxiliary airfoil (122); and pivot the auxiliary airfoil (1230) around the rotary joint of the front auxiliary airfoil (122) using an auxiliary support (104) coupled to the auxiliary airfoil (1230) when moving the auxiliary airfoil (1230) between the retracted position and one or more extended positions.
  20. 20. Method (1000) according to claim 19, characterized in that it further comprises: moving the rotary joint of the front auxiliary airfoil (122) along a forward-arched path (P1) while moving the auxiliary airfoil (1230) between the retracted position and one or more extended positions; moving the rotary joint of the rear auxiliary airfoil (124) along a backward-arched path (P2) while moving the auxiliary airfoil (1230) between the retracted position and one or more extended positions; and rotate the rotary joint of the front auxiliary airfoil (122) around the rotary joint of the rear auxiliary airfoil (124) when moving the auxiliary airfoil (1230) between the retracted position and one or more extended positions, wherein the rotary joint of the front auxiliary airfoil (122) is positioned in front of the rotary joint of the rear auxiliary airfoil (124).

Description

FIELD [001] The present invention relates generally to aircraft control surfaces and, more specifically, to systems and methods for actuating and controlling the movement of an auxiliary airfoil of an aircraft wing between a retracted position and one or more extended positions. FUNDAMENTALS [002] Modern aircraft generally use auxiliary airfoil devices on the leading edge of the wing to modify the effective chord and camber of the wing. This improves aircraft performance during takeoff and landing without penalizing cruise performance. In certain types of aircraft, the auxiliary airfoil may utilize a long-distance trajectory, resulting in long tracks that penetrate the leading spar of the wing. In thin wings, the stiffness of the auxiliary airfoil, the location of the actuator, and the stiffness of the mechanism can combine in the thin wing's trajectory to deflect and twist the auxiliary airfoil out of the desired extended position, which can result in an undesirable low-speed position of the auxiliary airfoil. Consequently, those skilled in the art continue research and development efforts related to the actuation and control of the movement of an aircraft wing's auxiliary airfoil. SUMMARY [003] Examples are described of a system for actuating an auxiliary airfoil of an aircraft wing, an aircraft wing, an aircraft, and a method for actuating an auxiliary airfoil of an aircraft wing. The following is a non-exhaustive list of examples, which may or may not be claimed, of the subject matter according to the present invention. [004] In one example, the described system includes a primary support, an auxiliary support, an actuator support, and an actuator. The primary support is rotationally coupled to the auxiliary airfoil at a rotary joint of the front auxiliary airfoil to move the auxiliary airfoil between a retracted position and one or more extended positions. The auxiliary support is coupled to the auxiliary airfoil to pivot the auxiliary airfoil around the rotary joint of the front auxiliary airfoil when the auxiliary airfoil moves between the retracted position and one or more extended positions. The actuator support is coupled to the auxiliary airfoil. The actuator is coupled to the actuator support at a rotary joint of the rear auxiliary airfoil to actuate the auxiliary airfoil between the retracted position and one or more extended positions. [005] In one example, the described wing includes a leading edge, a frame, and an auxiliary airfoil. The auxiliary airfoil is movable relative to the leading edge. The wing also includes a primary support, an auxiliary support, an actuator support, and an actuator. The primary support is rotationally coupled to the auxiliary airfoil at a rotary joint of the forward auxiliary airfoil and rotationally coupled to the frame to move the auxiliary airfoil between a retracted position and one or more extended positions. The auxiliary support is coupled to the auxiliary airfoil to pivot the auxiliary airfoil around the rotary joint of the forward auxiliary airfoil when the auxiliary airfoil moves between the retracted position and one or more extended positions. The actuator support is coupled to the auxiliary airfoil. The actuator is coupled to the actuator support at a rotary joint of the rear auxiliary airfoil to actuate the auxiliary airfoil between the retracted position and the extended position. [006] In one example, the described aircraft includes a wing. The wing includes a leading edge, a frame, and an auxiliary airfoil. The auxiliary airfoil is movable relative to the wing's leading edge. The aircraft also includes a primary support, an auxiliary support, an actuator support, and an actuator. The primary support is rotationally coupled to the auxiliary airfoil at a rotary joint of the forward auxiliary airfoil and rotationally coupled to the wing frame to move the auxiliary airfoil between a retracted position and one or more extended positions. The auxiliary support is coupled to the auxiliary airfoil to pivot the auxiliary airfoil around the rotary joint of the forward auxiliary airfoil when the auxiliary airfoil moves between the retracted position and one or more extended positions. The actuator support is coupled to the auxiliary airfoil. The actuator is coupled to the actuator support on a rotary joint of the rear auxiliary airfoil to actuate the auxiliary airfoil between the retracted and extended positions. [007] In one example, the method described includes the steps of: (1) actuating the auxiliary airfoil between a retracted position and one or more extended positions using an actuator coupled to an actuator holder on a rotary joint of the rear auxiliary airfoil; (2) moving the auxiliary airfoil relative to a leading edge of the wing between the retracted position and one or more extended positions using a primary holder that is rotationally coupled to the auxiliary airfoil on a rotary joint of the front auxiliary airfoil; and (3) pivoting the auxil