GB797376A - Improvements in aircraft wings - Google Patents

Abstract

797,376. Aircraft wings. M. L. AVIATION CO., Ltd. Sept. 18, 1956 [Sept. 29, 1955], No. 27759/55. Class 4. An inflatable aircraft wing is fitted with an internal bracing structure capable of being collapsed to allow the wing to be collapsed, and of sufficient rigidity when locked in the operative position to maintain the general form of the wing sufficiently to keep the aircraft airborne in the event of loss of air from the wing whereby the wing can function with its interior either at atmospheric or at super-atmospheric pressure. In Figs. 1 and 2, the framework comprises a number of ribs 1 braced at 2, 3, and connected together by spar elements each formed from lower and upper rods 6, 7 braced at 8 and 9. Two such elements hinged at 13 are hinged to adjacent ribs at 12 and constitute a collapsible toggle, being shown extended at 15a, partly collapsed at 15b, and fully collapsed at 15c. The framework when extended is braced by wires 24. A fastening 16 at each hinge 13 engages automatically when the toggles are extended, and is releasable by pulling a cord 20 to collapse the toggle. Each cord 20 is attached to a line 21 extending to a loop 22 outside the wing through a seal 23, so that loop 22 may be pulled to release the toggles. An inflatable flexible skin 26 covers the framework. Partitions 30, 31 are secured to the skin adjacent the spar-like elements, and are apertured only to permit passage of the ribs and bracing wires. The inflating gas is admitted between the partitions by means not shown, and flows through these apertures to the remainder of the wing, setting up temporary pressure differentials across the partitions, which thus urge the toggles to the extended position, where they are automatically secured by fastenings 16. On deflation, cord 22 is pulled, releasing the fastenings, and reversed pressure differentials assist in collapsing the toggles. In a further embodiment, the wing is swept back, the ribs being staggered, and to allow the skin 26 to fold without tension stresses, the two elements of each toggle are of suitable unequal sizes. The pairs of diagonal bracing wires 24 are each replaced by a single pivoted diagonal rod. The wing may be made in two sections secured together at the aircraft's plane of symmetry, or may be in one piece extending from wing tip to wing tip, the wing being braced by wires extending from the undercarriage structure, as in Fig. 3 (not shown).