초록 ▼

An improvement to close an opening formed in the leading edge of an airfoil when a slat is moved to its deployed position. The track which deploys the slat has a downward component of motion which leaves an opening in the wing leading edge that can cause premature stall in the opening is not closed.

An improvement to close an opening formed in the leading edge of an airfoil when a slat is moved to its deployed position. The track which deploys the slat has a downward component of motion which leaves an opening in the wing leading edge that can cause premature stall in the opening is not closed. To close this opening, there is a door which is mounted about an axis of rotation that is positioned in a vertical plane generally parallel to the movement of the track. Further, the axis of rotation is slanted so that the door moves upwardly, rearwardly and laterally to its retracted position so as to permit the track to be retracted, and when the track is extended, a spring moves the door into its deployed position to close the opening.

대표청구항 ▼

In an airfoil where there is a leading edge structure having a front skin section and a leading edge device having a cruise position covering said front skin section, and a deployed position where said front skin section is exposed to airflow, said airfoil having a spanwise axis, a chordwise axis an

In an airfoil where there is a leading edge structure having a front skin section and a leading edge device having a cruise position covering said front skin section, and a deployed position where said front skin section is exposed to airflow, said airfoil having a spanwise axis, a chordwise axis and a vertical axis, said airfoil having a connecting member extending between said leading edge structure and said leading edge device, said front skin section having a front opening through which said connecting member extends, said airfoil being characterized in that during movement of said leading edge device to its deployed position, said connecting member has a component of motion in said opening generally transverse to said chordwise axis to a transversely displaced position, so as to leave a portion of said opening as an exposed front skin open area, an improvement to close said exposed front skin open area when the connecting member is in its transversely displaced position, said improvement comprising: a. a door having a surface configuration generally matching said exposed front skin open area; b. a pivot mounting device by which said door is pivotally mounted in said leading edge structure for movement about an axis of rotation having a substantial alignment component generally perpendicular to a portion of said front skin section adjacent to said exposed front skin open area, and substantial alignment components parallel to a plane of movement through which said connecting member moves from its first position to its second position, said mounting device being characterized in that said door has a first retracted position where said door is removed from said exposed front surface open area and displaced about said axis of rotation from a position occupied by said connecting member in its retracted position, and a second deployed position where said door is positioned in said plane of movement and closes at least a portion of said exposed front surface open area; c. means to cause said door to move between its retracted and deployed positions.