US 12,448,109 B2
Auxiliary flap assembly for aircraft
Samuel L. Block, Bothell, WA (US); and Kevin Tsai, Redmond, WA (US)
Assigned to The Boeing Company, Arlington, VA (US)
Filed by The Boeing Company, Arlington, VA (US)
Filed on May 5, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/313,097.
Prior Publication US 2024/0367773 A1, Nov. 7, 2024
Int. Cl. B64C 9/18 (2006.01); B64C 9/02 (2006.01); F16C 19/14 (2006.01)
CPC B64C 9/18 (2013.01) [B64C 9/02 (2013.01); F16C 19/14 (2013.01); F16C 2326/43 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An auxiliary flap assembly for an aircraft wing having a flap, comprising:
a track configured to be coupled to the aircraft wing, comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, and opposing C-shaped channels, and being elongated along a length of the track, wherein the track comprises a first half and a second half coupled together in a back-to-back configuration along a seam extending the length of the track and separating the opposing C-shaped channels, wherein each one of the first half and the second half defines a corresponding one of the opposing C-shaped channels, which face opposite directions relative to each other;
a wingbox attachment configured to be attached to the aircraft wing and to the track, such that the track is pivotable relative to the aircraft wing; and
a flap carriage movably engaged with the track such that the flap carriage is retained by the track and movable along the length of the track, the flap carriage comprising a top portion, a bottom portion, and an intermediate portion between the top portion and the bottom portion, wherein:
the top portion comprises a spherical bearing and is configured to be coupled to the flap via the spherical bearing;
the bottom portion comprises a pair of primary rollers configured to roll along the bottom surface of the track;
each primary roller of the pair of primary rollers spans the seam; and
the intermediate portion comprises a pair of secondary rollers each configured to roll along a corresponding one of the opposing C-shaped channels.