Importance

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Abstract

A variable-camber airfoil includes a four-bar linkage camber altering mechanism and a flexible panel in the lower skin of the airfoil. A flexible upper skin extends from the upper end of a front spar assembly to the upper end of a nose structure of the airfoil. A rotary actuator is mounted forward of the front spar assembly within the cavity of the airfoil, and is used to actuate the camber altering mechanism. A main drive arm, which acts as a link in the camber altering mechanism, extends forwardly from the rotary actuator. To actuate the camber altering mechanism, the main drive arm is rotated downwardly and rearwardly through an arcuate path in a vertical chordwise plane. The main drive arm pulls downwardly on first and second links, which, due to the kinematics of the four-bar linkage, causes the nose structure to rotate and move downwardly and rearwardly in a manner that will produce the desired aerodynamic curvature in the flexible upper skin. As the airfoil is cambered, a forward portion of the lower skin of the airfoil is moved slidingly past the forward edge of a lower skin flexible panel in an upward and rearward direction,causing the forward edge of the panel to flex downwardly.

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First Claim