Covering device for a hinge of an aircraft
View Patent ↗Hinges, in particular in doors of aircraft, have poor aerodynamics. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a covering device for a hinge of an aircraft is provided with a flexible covering, which for example is stretched, with a closed hinge, over the outer contour of the hinge. Advantageously, this makes possibly the covering of openings between first and second hinge parts, whereby an improved aerodynamic can be achieved.
1. Covering device for a hinge for an aircraft, the hinge having an outer contour, a first hinge part and a second hinge part, the first hinge part being displaceable relative to the second hinge part between a first position and a second position, the covering device comprising:
a flexible covering including
a first region mountable on the first hinge part; and
a second region mountable on the second hinge part;
the flexible covering being configured such that when the first hinge part is positioned in the second position, the flexible covering is in an unstretched condition and has a first dimension between the first and second region, the flexible covering being further configured such that, when the first hinge part is positioned in the first position, the flexible covering is stretched over the outer contour of the hinge and has a second dimension between the first region and the second region, the second dimension being greater than the first dimension;
a projection extending from at least one of the first and second hinge part in a direction away from the flexible covering; and
at least one lashing strap attaching the flexible covering to the projection by extending from the flexible covering to the projection.
2. Covering device according to claim 1 ,
wherein the flexible covering is a sheet.
3. Covering device according to claim 1 ,
wherein the flexible covering is made from an elastomer material.
4. Covering device according to claim 1 ,
wherein the first region or the second region of the flexible covering comprises a first contour, for engagement with a corresponding second contour on the first hinge part or the second hinge part;
wherein the first contour is operable to hold at least a fraction of a tractive force in cooperation with the second contour, the tractive force arising from an expansion of the flexible covering when the hinge is in the first position.
5. Covering device according to claim 1 , wherein the portion of the outer contour of the hinge over which the flexible covering is stretched is a sealed region.
6. Covering device according to claim 1 , wherein the first and the second hinge part are mountable at an outside of the aircraft.
7. Hinge for a door of an aircraft, the hinge comprising:
a first hinge part;
a second hinge part, the first hinge part being displaceable relative to the second hinge part between a first position and a second position;
an outer contour;
a flexible covering including a first region attached to the first hinge part, the flexible covering further including a second region attached to the second hinge part, the flexible covering being configured such that when the first hinge part is positioned in the second position, the flexible covering is in an unstretched condition and has a first dimension between the first and second region, the flexible covering being further configured such that, when the first hinge part is positioned in the first position, the flexible covering is stretched over a portion of the outer contour of the hinge and has a second dimension between the first region and the second region, the second dimension being greater than the first dimension;
a projection extending from at least one of the first and second hinge part in a direction away from the flexible covering; and
at least one lashing strap attaching the flexible covering to the projection by extending from the flexible covering to the projection.
8. Hinge according to claim 7 ,
wherein the first region or the second region of the flexible covering has a first contour for engagement with a corresponding second contour on the first hinge part or the second hinge part;
wherein the first contour is operable to hold at least a fraction of a tractive force in cooperation with the second contour, the tractive force arising from expansion of the flexible covering when the hinge is in the first position.
9. Hinge according to claim 7 ,
wherein the flexible covering is a sheet.
10. Hinge according to claim 7 ,
wherein the flexible covering is made from an elastomer material.
11. Hinge according to claim 7 ,
wherein the hinge is part of an aircraft door.