Importance

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Abstract

Trailing edge device catchers and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A system in accordance with one embodiment includes a wing having a wing support, a trailing edge device carried by and movable relative to the wing and having a device support, and a coupling connected between the wing and the trailing edge device. The coupling can include a pivot joint that includes a pivot element aligned along a pivot axis and connected between the wing support and the device support. The coupling can further include an actuator coupled between the wing and the trailing edge device, with the actuator having a first position in which the trailing edge device is stowed, and a second position in which the trailing edge device is deployed, with an air flow gap located between the wing and the trailing edge device when the trailing edge device is in the second position. A cam track is carried by one of the wing and the trailing edge device and has opposing cam track surfaces fixed relative to each other. A cam is carried by the other of the wing and trailing edge device and is positioned within the cam track between the opposing cam track surfaces. The cam is offset from the pivot axis and during normal operation the cam can carry no load or a first load along a load path that includes the cam track, and when a decrease in support provided by at least one of the pivot element, the wing support and the device support occurs, the cam can carry a second non-zero load greater than the first load along the load path.

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First Claim