IP Library Granted Patent US 10,710,703
Granted Patent B2
US 10,710,703 · App. 15/807,939 · Granted Jul 14, 2020

Extruded control surface having a knuckle and notches

Inventors: Pavel Belik (Simi Valley, CA); John Peter Zwaan (Simi Valley, CA)
Assignee: AEROVIRONMENT, INC.
B64C9/16B64C3/24B64C3/36B64C9/02B64C13/38B64C29/02B64C39/024B64D45/00B64F5/00B64F5/10B64C2201/021B64C2201/088
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,710,703
App. No.
15/807,939
Granted
Jul 14, 2020
Kind
B2
Abstract

Systems, devices, and methods for an extruded wing protection and control surface comprising: a channel proximate a leading edge of the control surface, a knuckle disposed about the channel, a leading void, a trailing void, and a separator dividing the leading void and the trailing void; and a plurality of notches disposed in the extruded control surface proximate the leading edge of the control surface.

Claims (27)

1. A system comprising:

an extruded control surface comprising: a channel proximate a leading edge of the control surface, a knuckle disposed about the channel, a leading void, a trailing void, and a separator dividing the leading void and the trailing void, wherein the leading void is proximate to the knuckle, wherein the knuckle comprises a semi-circular portion and a leading edge portion, wherein the semi-circular portion comprises a semi-circular cross-section proximate a top side of the control surface, and wherein the leading edge portion extends from the semi-circular portion toward a bottom side of the control surface; and

a plurality of notches disposed in the extruded control surface proximate the leading edge of the control surface.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a plurality of clips, wherein each of the plurality of clips comprise at least one pin disposed proximate a base of the clip;

wherein the at least one pin of each clip is received by the knuckle of the control surface via the channel, wherein the knuckle is the only part of the extruded control surface that deforms to accept the pin, and wherein the control surface pivots about each pin.

3. The system of claim 2 further comprising:

at least one cuff, wherein the at least one cuff receives an end of the control surface in a first cavity of the cuff.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the at least one cuff further comprises:

a second cavity disposed on a side distal from the first cavity, wherein the second cavity is distal from the first cavity.

5. The system of claim 4 , further comprising:

a servo adapter, wherein the second cavity is sized to receive the servo adapter for controlling the control surface.

6. The system of claim 2 , wherein each clip of the plurality of clips further comprise:

a first leg comprising a first protrusion for insertion into an indentation on a top surface of a wing.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein each clip of the plurality of clips further comprise:

a second leg comprising a second protrusion for insertion into an indentation on a bottom surface of a wing.

8. The system of claim 6 , wherein each pin is disposed in a plane substantially perpendicular to a plane of the first leg.

9. The system of claim 2 , wherein each pin is tapered, and wherein a narrow end of each pin is distal from the base.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the trailing void is proximate to a trailing edge of the control surface.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the knuckle comprises an opening facing towards a bottom surface of the control surface.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein the control surface is made from an Ultraviolet (UV) resistant plastic.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein the control surface is made from a polycarbonate-acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (PC-ABS).

14. A method comprising:

extruding a control surface, wherein the extruded control surface comprises a channel proximate a leading edge of the control surface, a knuckle disposed about the channel, a leading void, a trailing void, and a separator dividing the leading void and the trailing void, wherein the knuckle comprises a semi-circular portion and a leading edge portion, wherein the semi-circular portion comprises a semi-circular cross-section proximate a top side of the control surface, and wherein the leading edge portion extends from the semi-circular portion toward a bottom side of the control surface;

cutting the control surface at a set length; and

milling a plurality of notches into the cut control surface proximate the leading edge of the control surface.

15. The system of claim 1 wherein the leading void is proximate the knuckle, the trailing void is proximate a trailing edge of the control surface, the separator is narrower in width than an outside width of the control surface, and the knuckle comprises an opening facing towards a bottom surface of the control surface.

Assignments (2)
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Feb 19, 2021
From: AEROVIRONMENT, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 055343/0926 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 6, 2017
From: BELIK, PAVEL; ZWAAN, JOHN PETER
To: AEROVIRONMENT, INC.
Reel/Frame 044315/0331 →