US 11,866,171 B2
Rotating flight control surface for aircraft
Andrew J. Hubbard, Saint Charles, MO (US); and Richard C. Potter, Huntington Beach, CA (US)
Assigned to The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US)
Filed by The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US)
Filed on Apr. 7, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/658,374.
Prior Publication US 2023/0322357 A1, Oct. 12, 2023
Int. Cl. B64C 9/02 (2006.01); B64C 9/20 (2006.01); B64C 39/12 (2006.01); B64C 9/00 (2006.01)
CPC B64C 9/02 (2013.01) [B64C 9/20 (2013.01); B64C 39/12 (2013.01); B64C 2009/005 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An aerodynamic device comprising:
a main aerodynamic body having a leading edge and a trailing edge opposite the leading edge;
a flight control surface pivotably connected to the main aerodynamic body at an axis, wherein the axis is proximate the trailing edge of the main aerodynamic body; and
a rotating body coupled to the flight control surface, wherein:
the rotating body is rotatable relative to the flight control surface between a stowed position and a deployed position while the flight control surface is stationary relative to the main aerodynamic body, wherein:
rotation of the rotating body defines a gap between main aerodynamic body and the rotating body;
the rotating body is rotated toward the main aerodynamic body while in the stowed position to close the gap;
the rotating body is rotated away from the main aerodynamic body while in the deployed position to widen the gap; and
the gap adjusts an airflow flowing between the main aerodynamic body and the flight control surface.