Variable contour aircraft control surface

摘要

A variable contour control surface (30a) and a transition section (30a) are designed to eliminate the discontinuities that exist between an aircraft wing control surface and the wing itself. The variable contour is provided by translating the top skin of the control surface relative to the top surface of the wing with the bottom surfaces of the wing and control surface being joined as a single surface. This movement results in a change in the camber of the control surface. The transition section (30a) is a flexible connection between the inboard and outboard ends of the control surface (30a) and the wing. The transition section (30a) is stiffened by rods (40, 41) which run both fore to aft and spanwise within an elastomeric material. The transition section (30b) may be used in conjunction with either a fixed contour control surface or a variable contour control surface.