MITIGATION OF SURFACE DISCONTINUITIES BETWEEN FLIGHT CONTROL SURFACES AND AN AIRFRAME OF AN AIRCRAFT

摘要

Embodiments provide a transitional element that bridges a gap between an edge of a flight control surface and an edge of a non-movable portion of an airframe. In one embodiment, a transitional element bridges a gap between an edge of a flight control surface and an edge of a non-movable portion of an airframe. The transitional element includes a plurality of ribs that span the gap. Each of the plurality of ribs has a contour that corresponds to the flight control surface and is configured to pivot a portion of a rotated angle of the flight control surface to generate a transitional surface across the gap.