Inventors:
Dan Onu - Redmond WA, US
John D. Winter - Seattle WA, US
Candy L. Carr - Everett WA, US
Paul M. Vijgen - Everett WA, US
Gary A. Emch - Marysville WA, US
Michael E. Renzelmann - Woodinville WA, US
Assignee:
The Boeing Company - Chicago IL
International Classification:
G05D 1/00
Abstract:
The movable surfaces affecting the camber of a wing are dynamically adjusted to optimize wing camber for optimum lift/drag ratios under changing conditions during a given flight phase. In a preferred embodiment, an add-on dynamic adjustment control module provides command signals for optimum positioning of trailing edge movable surfaces, i. e. , inboard flaps, outboard flaps, ailerons, and flaperons, which are used in place of the predetermined positions of the standard flight control system. The dynamic adjustment control module utilizes inputs of changing aircraft conditions such as altitude, Mach number, weight, center of gravity, vertical speed and flight phase. The dynamic adjustment control module's commands for repositioning the movable surfaces of the wing are transmitted through the standard flight control system to actuators for moving the flight control surfaces.