GB298508A - Improvements in means for controlling aeroplanes - Google Patents

Abstract

298,508. Page, F. H., and Page, Ltd., H. July 9, 1927. Balancing, and regulating altitude; planes and the like, construction of.-A wing-member is mounted on links or slides on the front or rear of the main wing so that at small angles of incidence it is in contact with the main wing, but as the angle of incidence increases, owing to the change in pressure on the auxiliary wing surfaces, the latter automatically moves away from the main wing to a position of equilibrium or to a position limited by a stop, thus forming a slot between the two wing members. In one modification, Fig. 2, the forward wing-section B is mounted on links E, F pivoted to a bracket G on the main wing A, when the latter is not deep enough to enclose the links. When closed, the section B preferably forms part of the main wing, and the forward link E is the shorter so that, when forward, the slot is wider at its entrance. In this modification, the section B takes up a position of equilibrium. In the construction shown in Fig. 5, the forward section B carries a channel member H which engages rollers J, J' on the main plane bracket. The roller J<1> is vertically adjustable to vary the path of the section B, and a buffer K and stop L limit the movement thereof. In Figs. 9 and 10, the section B is hinged to horizontally-swinging links N, pivoted to brackets R carried by the forward spar S of the wing. A spring T may be provided as shown to prevent the section B sticking at the dead centre of the links, or alternatively, stops may be provided at the pivots of the links to prevent the links exceeding an angle of 60‹, say, with the leading edge. Controlling springs may be provided for any modification. The forward section may extend across the major portion of the wings in large or small sections. The movement of the forward sections may be damped by dashpots, elastic cushions or the like. Automatic forward wing-members may be located in front of the ailerons either alone or conjointly with the members along the leading edge, and the said members may be mechanically connected by lostmotion devices to the ailerons so that abnormal upward movment of the latter tends to close the slot, as for instance in Specification 223,202. The automatic forward-sections may be connected to pivoted flaps on the trailing edge of the main wing so that forward movement of the said sections pulls down the flap. Forward and rearward sections adapted to move automatically in the manner described may be used in conjunction with each other. According to the Provisional Specification, the automatic operation of the forwardly-located aerofoil may be assisted by hand-operated means.