Chord-expanding air vehicle wings

摘要

An air vehicle wing includes foldable ribs coupled to a leading-edge spar. The ribs each have multiple rib segments which are foldable (hinged) relative to each other. Extension linkages, each with multiple extension linkage segments, pass through openings in the rib segments, and may be coupled to the rib segments with pin couplings, able to change relative angle between the individual rib segments and the extension linkage segments to which they are coupled. A skin may cover the ribs, to provide an outer surface of the wing that may be unfolded as the wing is expanded from a stowed, small-chord condition, to a deployed, large-chord condition.

主权项

1. An extendible-chord air vehicle wing comprising:
a leading-edge spar; foldable ribs pivotally coupled to a back of the leading-edge spar; foldable extension linkages slidingly coupled to the leading-edge spar; and a trailing-edge spar disposed opposite the leading-edge spar and pivotally coupled to the foldable ribs; wherein each extension linkage has a proximal end slidingly coupled to the leading-edge spar and a distal end opposite the proximal end; and wherein each distal end is free floating with respect to the trailing-edge spar.