IP Library Granted Patent US 6,863,245
Granted Patent B2
US 6,863,245 · App. 10/291,750 · Granted Mar 8, 2005

Aerodynamic profile with an adjustable flap

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 6,863,245
App. No.
10/291,750
Granted
Mar 8, 2005
Kind
B2
Abstract

An aerodynamic profile has an adjustable flap, which has a forward profile area as well as a rearward profile area situated in the downward current, bounded by a pressure-side covering skin as well as a suction-side covering skin. The pressure-side and suction-side covering skins converge in the rearward profile area at a trailing profile edge. In the rearward profile area on the underside of the pressure-side covering skin, a flap is swivellably disposed such that, in the inoperative condition, the flap, pointing in the flow direction, rests against the contour of the pressure-side covering skin and, in the deflected condition, the flap encloses an angle with the pressure-side covering skin. An airtight hinge connection is integrated in the flap so that, on the side of the flap protected from the wind, a turbulence system which improves the flow conditions is formed.

Claims (42)

1. An aerodynamic profile having a forward profile area as well as a rearward profile area which is situated in a downward current and is bounded by a pressure-side covering skin as well as a suction-side covering skin, the pressure-side covering skin and the suction-side covering skin converging at the rearward profile area in a trailing profile edge, comprising:

a flap swivellably disposed in the rearward profile area on an underside of the pressure-side covering skin such that, in an inoperative condition, the flap, pointing in a flow direction, rests against a contour of the pressure-side covering skin and, in a deflected condition, encloses an angle with the pressure-side covering skin, and

an airtight hinge connection integrated in the flap so that, on a side of the flap protected from wind, a turbulence system which improves flow conditions is formed

wherein the flap is made of a laminated folded-together prepreg material and an airtight loop area is formed along a fold in the material.

2. The aerodynamic profile according to claim 1 , wherein the loop area has milled-out areas so that the flap has a plurality of individual loops into which the torsion bar can be inserted.

3. The aerodynamic profile according to claim 2 , wherein, in addition, a counterpart is arranged on the torsion bar, which counterpart is made of a fiber composite material, aluminum, or another sheet-metal-type material and has fastening loops, and wherein the torsion bar is non-rotatably connected with the fastening loops and is rotatably disposed with the individual loops of the flap, or vice-versa.

4. The aerodynamic profile according to claim 1 , wherein a sliding material is insertable into the loop area for rotatable bearing of the flap, and a torsion bar can be introduced.

5. An aerodynamic profile having a forward profile area as well as a rearward profile area which is situated in a downward current and is bounded by a pressure-side covering skin as well as a suction-side covering skin, the pressure-side covering skin and the suction-side covering skin converging at the rearward profile area in a trailing profile edge, comprising:

a flap swivellably disposed in the rearward profile area on an underside of the pressure-side covering skin such that, in an inoperative condition, the flap, pointing in a flow direction, rests against a contour of the pressure-side covering skin and, in a deflected condition, encloses an angle with the pressure-side covering skin, and

an airtight hinge connection integrated in the flap so that, on a side of the flap protected from wind, a turbulence system which improves flow conditions is formed,

wherein the flap is made of unidirectionally and multidirectionally reinforced fiber composite arrangements which are sewn to one another, impregnated and hardened, and

wherein, in the area of the unidirectionally reinforced fiber composite arrangement, a reinforced airtight loop area is created.

6. The aerodynamic profile according to claim 5 , wherein a sliding material is insertable into the loop area for rotatable bearing of the flap, and a torsion bar can be introduced.

7. An aerodynamic profile having a forward profile area as well as a rearward profile area which is situated in a downward current and is bounded by a pressure-side covering skin as well as a suction-side covering skin, the pressure-side covering skin and the suction-side covering skin converging at the rearward profile area in a trailing profile edge, comprising:

a flap swivellably disposed in the rearward profile area on an underside of the pressure-side covering skin such that, in an inoperative condition, the flap, pointing in a flow direction, rests against a contour of the pressure-side covering skin and, in a deflected condition, encloses an anile with the pressure-side covering skin, and

an airtight hinge connection integrated in the flap so that, on a side of the flay protected from wind, a turbulence system which improves flow conditions is formed

wherein, in an area of transition to the flap, the pressure-side covering skin has an arching-in which is adapted to a shape of the hinge connection and the flap, and

wherein the flap is made of a laminated folded-together prepreg material, an airtight loop area is formed along a fold in the material, a sliding material is inserted into the loop area for rotatable bearing of the flap, and a torsion bar can be introduced.

8. An aerodynamic profile having a forward profile area as well as a rearward profile area which is situated in a downward current and is bounded by a pressure-side covering skin as well as a suction-side covering skin, the pressure-side covering skin and the suction-side covering skin converging at the rearward profile area in a trailing profile edge, comprising:

a flap swivellably disposed in the rearward profile area on an underside of the pressure-side covering skin such that, in an inoperative condition, the flap, pointing in a flow direction, rests against a contour of the pressure-side covering skin and, in a deflected condition, encloses an angle with the pressure-side covering skin, and an airtight hinge connection integrated in the flay so that, on a side of the flap protected from wind, a turbulence system which improves flow conditions is formed,

wherein the flap is of a fiber composite material, and

wherein the flap is made of a laminated folded-together prepreg material, an airtight loop area is formed along a fold in the material, a sliding material is inserted into the loop area for rotatable bearing of the flap, and a torsion bar can be introduced.

9. An aerodynamic profile having a forward profile area as well as a rearward profile area which is situated in a downward current and is bounded by a pressure-side covering skin as well as a suction-side covering skin, the pressure-side covering skin and the suction-side covering skin converging at the rearward profile area in a trailing profile edge, comprising:

a flap swivellably disposed in the rearward profile area on an underside of the pressure-side covering skin such that, in an inoperative condition, the flap, pointing in a flow direction, rests against a contour of the pressure-side covering skin and, in a deflected condition, encloses an angle with the pressure-side covering skin, and

an airtight hinge connection integrated in the flap so that, on a side of the flap protected from wind, a turbulence system which improves flow conditions is formed,

wherein, in an area of transition to the flap, the pressure-side covering skin has an arching-in which is adapted to a share of the hinge connection and the flap,

wherein the flap is made of unidirectionally and multidirectionally reinforced fiber composite arrangements which are sewn to one another, impregnated and hardened, and

wherein, in the area of the unidirectionally reinforced fiber composite arrangement, a reinforced airtight loop area is created into which, for rotatable bearing of the flap, a sliding material is inserted and a torsion bar can be introduced.

10. An aerodynamic profile having a forward profile area as well as a rearward profile area which is situated in a downward current and is bounded by a pressure-side covering skin as well as a suction-side covering skin, the pressure-side covering skin and the suction-side covering skin converging at the rearward profile area in a trauma profile edge, comprising:

a flap swivellably disposed in the rearward profile area on an underside of the pressure-side covering skin such that, in an inoperative condition, the flap, pointing in a flow direction, rests against a contour of the pressure-side covering skin and, in a deflected condition, encloses an angle with the pressure-side covering skin, and

an airtight hinge connection integrated in the flap so that, on a side of the flap protected from wind, a turbulence system which improves flow conditions is, formed,

wherein the flap is of a fiber composite material,

wherein the flap is made of unidirectionally and multidirectionally reinforced fiber composite arrangements which are sewn to one another, impregnated and hardened, and

wherein, in the area of the unidirectionally reinforced fiber composite arrangement, a reinforced airtight loop area is created into which, for rotatable bearing of the flap, a sliding material is inserted and a torsion bar can be introduced.

11. An aerodynamic profile having a forward profile area as well as a rearward profile area which is situated in a downward current and is bounded by a pressure-side covering skin as well as a suction-side covering skin, the pressure-side covering skin and the suction-side covering skin converging at the rearward profile area in a trailing profile edge, comprising:

a flap swivellably disposed in the rearward profile area on an underside of the pressure-side covering skin such that, in an inoperative condition, the flap, pointing in a flow direction, rests against a contour of the pressure-side covering skin and, in a deflected condition, encloses an angle with the pressure-side covering skin,

a connection profile arranged between the pressure-side covering skin and the suction-side covering skin, and

an airtight hinge connection integrated in the flap so that, on a side of the flap protected from wind, a turbulence system which improves flow conditions is formed,

wherein the rearward profile area can be exchangeably mounted by the connection profile on the forward profile area.

12. The aerodynamic profile according to claim 11 , wherein the rearward profile area is exchangeably mounted by way of fastening devices.

13. The aerodynamic profile according to claim 12 , wherein the fastening devices are rivets.

14. The aerodynamic profile according to claim 11 , wherein the rearward profile area has a monolithic construction.

Assignments (3)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 31, 2011
From: AIRBUS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
To: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
Reel/Frame 026360/0849 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 1, 2005
From: EADS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
To: AIRBUS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH (1/2 INTEREST)
Reel/Frame 016735/0675 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 4, 2003
From: GESSLER, ANDREAS; HANSEN, HEINZ; HAVAR, TAMAS; HOROSCHENKOFF, ALEXANDER
To: EADS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
Reel/Frame 013725/0285 →