Wing tip device attachment apparatus and method
A winglet ( 114 ) is attached to a wing tip ( 112 ) by a main beam ( 132 ) which extends into the wing tip ( 112 ) and is attached to the rear spar ( 118 ). A canted spar ( 134 ) also extends to be attached proximate the forward spar ( 116 ).
1. A wing tip device for attachment to a wing tip of a powered aircraft, the wing tip device comprising:
a first mounting formation,
a second mounting formation spaced apart in a spanwise direction relative to the first mounting formation,
a third mounting formation spaced apart in a chordwise direction relative to the first and second mounting formations,
wherein each of the first, second and third mounting formations are configured for attachment to at least one of a wing spar and a wing rib,
at least one of said mounting formations is configured to permit sliding movement of a portion of the wing tip device in the spanwise direction relative to a portion of the wing tip, and the at least one of the mounting formations is a spigot for insertion into an orifice of said wing tip rib.
2. A wing tip device according to claim 1 , in which the first mounting formation is connected to a first beam extending within the wing tip device and towards a free end thereof.
3. A wing tip device according to claim 2 in which the second mounting formation is connected to the first beam.
4. A wing tip device according to claim 1 , in which the third mounting formation is connected to a further beam extending within the wing tip device and towards a free end thereof.
5. A wing tip device according to claim 1 , in which the first and second mounting formations are aligned in a spanwise direction.
6. A wing tip device according to claim 1 in which the first and third mounting formations are aligned in a chordwise direction.
7. A wing tip device according to claim 1 , in which there are only three mounting formations.
8. A wing tip device for attachment to a wing tip of a powered aircraft, the wing tip device comprising:
a first mounting formation,
a second mounting formation spaced apart in a spanwise direction relative to the first mounting formation,
a third mounting formation spaced apart in a chordwise direction relative to the first and second mounting formations,
wherein each of the first, second and third mounting formations are configured for attachment to at least one of a wing spar and a wing rib, and,
at least one of said mounting formations is configured to permit sliding movement of a portion of the wing tip device in the spanwise direction relative to a portion of the wing tip and the at least one of the mounting formations is a lap shear joint for attachment to said wing spar, which lap shear joint comprises a pin-in-slot arrangement.
9. A wing tip device according to claim 8 , in which the first mounting formation is connected to a first beam extending within the wing tip device and towards a free end thereof.
10. A wing tip device according to claim 9 in which the second mounting formation is connected to the first beam.
11. A wing tip device according to claim 8 , in which the third mounting formation is connected to a further beam extending within the wing tip device and towards a free end thereof.
12. A wing tip device according to claim 8 , in which the first and second mounting formations are aligned in a spanwise direction.
13. A wing tip device according to claim 8 , in which the first and third mounting formations are aligned in a chordwise direction.
14. A wing tip device according to claim 8 , in which there are only three mounting formations.