Trailing edge split flap with pneumatic actuation

A system for pneumatically actuating a split flap hingedly mounted near or at a trailing edge of an airfoil. The system includes a bladder system disposed between the split flap and the upper surface of the airfoil. The split flap is a small-chord (usually 1-3% of total wing chord) long-span lower p...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors Balzer, Michael A, Santini, Gregory M, Klein, Michael K
Format Patent
LanguageEnglish
French
German
Published 24.06.2020
Subjects
AEROPLANES
AIRCRAFT
AVIATION
COSMONAUTICS
HELICOPTERS
PERFORMING OPERATIONS
TRANSPORTING
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Summary:A system for pneumatically actuating a split flap hingedly mounted near or at a trailing edge of an airfoil. The system includes a bladder system disposed between the split flap and the upper surface of the airfoil. The split flap is a small-chord (usually 1-3% of total wing chord) long-span lower panel which separates from the airfoil trailing edge by means of a hinge or a flexible lower skin. Deployment of the split flap is actuated pneumatically by the inflatable bladder system. The split flap may exist at a fixed wing trailing edge, a moving flap trailing edge, or an empennage trailing edge. The pneumatic bladder provides distributed force to extend and retract the split flap. This pneumatic approach eliminates extra drag, reduces cost and weight, and lessens flutter concerns.
Bibliography:Application Number: EP20120176953