U.S. patent application number 11/323146 was filed with the patent office on 2006-11-09 for reinforced cover for cut-outs in an aeordynamic contour.
Invention is credited to Agustin Mariano Martin Hernandez.
Application Number | 20060249627 11/323146 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37393228 |
Filed Date | 2006-11-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060249627 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Martin Hernandez; Agustin
Mariano |
November 9, 2006 |
Reinforced cover for cut-outs in an aeordynamic contour
Abstract
Reinforced cover for cut-outs in an aerodynamic contour of a
vehicle, with a first attachment section 1a attachable to a
structural element (2,5) of the vehicle (11); a second elastic
section 1c which covers the cut-out (4) which is located between a
fixed part 5 and a moving part (6, 12) of the vehicle (11), and
provided with a low-friction layer (8) on its inner surface (1e),
which comprises a first area (1i) in a rectangular configuration
and a second area (1j) with a second cross-section smaller than
that of the first area (1i); an outer surface (1k) with a
fiberglass layer (7a); a main internal body (9) of a flexible
material, a transition section (1g) thickened between the first and
the second section, (1a, 1c); flushing the outer surface (1k) of
the second section (1c) with the outer surface (5a).
Inventors: |
Martin Hernandez; Agustin
Mariano; (Madrid, ES) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KLAUBER & JACKSON
411 HACKENSACK AVENUE
HACKENSACK
NJ
07601
US
|
Family ID: |
37393228 |
Appl. No.: |
11/323146 |
Filed: |
December 30, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
244/130 ;
244/215 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B64C 7/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
244/130 ;
244/215 |
International
Class: |
B64C 1/38 20060101
B64C001/38; B64C 3/50 20060101 B64C003/50 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 31, 2004 |
ES |
P 200403162 |
Claims
1. Reinforced cover for cut-outs in an aerodynamic contour of a
vehicle, particularly for an aircraft, comprising a first section
for attachment purposes attachable to a structural element of the
vehicle by attachment means, an elastic second section being
tongue-shaped and having an extension that at least partially
covers a cut-out between a fixed part and a moving part of the
vehicle and with a free end which ends on the outer surface of said
moving part, reinforcement means, a low-friction layer, which at
least partially covers the inner surface of said second section, a
main internal body made of an elastic material, wherein the
reinforcement means comprise at least one fiberglass layer having a
thickness and formed at the outer surface of said first section and
at least in one adjacent area to said first section of the outer
surface of said second section; said first section extends in a
first axial plane and said second section extends in a second axial
plane, said first axial plane being different from said second
axial plane; and said adjacent area of the second section comprises
a flexible transition section between said first section and said
second section; the outer surface of the second section flushes
with the outer surface of the fixed part of the vehicle and extends
towards the free end as a continuation of said outer surface; and
the second section comprises a first area which extends from said
adjacent area with a first cross-section, and a second area with a
second cross-section smaller than the cross-section of the first
area and which extends towards said free end.
2. Reinforced cover according to claim 1, wherein the fiberglass
layer comprises a plurality of piled-up fiberglass cloths that are
glued to each other, the thickness of the fiberglass layer being
determined by the number of piled-up fiberglass cloths.
3. Reinforced cover according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of
the fiberglass layer is greater in areas of said first and said
second section which are exposed to greater stresses, than in areas
subjected to lesser stresses.
4. Reinforced cover according to claim 2, wherein the fiberglass
layer comprises a larger number of piled-up fiberglass cloths in
areas of said first and said second section which are exposed to
greater stresses than in areas subjected to lesser stresses.
5. Reinforced cover according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of
the fiberglass layer in said first section and in said adjacent
area of the second section is greater than the thickness of the
fiberglass layer in other sections of the cover.
6. Reinforced cover according to claim 2, wherein the fiberglass
layer comprises a larger number of piled-up fiberglass cloths in
said first section and in said adjacent area of the second section
that in other sections of the cover.
7. Reinforced cover according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of
the fiberglass layer in the second section decreases in the
direction towards the free end of said second section.
8. Reinforced cover according to claim 2, wherein the number of
piled-up fiberglass cloths in the second section decreases towards
the free end of said second section.
9. Reinforced cover according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of
the fiberglass layer on said adjacent area decreases progressively
from the transition section towards the free end of the second
section.
10. Reinforced cover according to claim 2, wherein the number of
piled-up fiberglass cloths in said adjacent area decreases
progressively from the transition section towards the free end of
the second section.
11. Reinforced cover according to claim 1, wherein the transition
section extends along a slanted longitudinal axis which extends
from said first axial plane to said second axial plane.
12. Reinforced cover according to claim 1, wherein in said adjacent
area, the main body is of a thickness which progressively increases
in said transition section and decreases towards the free end of
said second section.
13. Reinforced cover according to claim 1, wherein said second area
is trapezoidal.
14. Reinforced cover according to claim 13, wherein said
trapezoidal second area has a base having a cross-section that is
smaller than the cross-section of the first area.
15. Reinforced cover according to claim 14, wherein the first area
has two protruding edges which respectively extend from the sides
towards the center of the first area, and which contact the outer
surface of said moving part of the vehicle, said protruding edges
being spaced apart from each other by a distance substantially
equal to the transversal extension of the base of said second
area.
16. Reinforced cover according to claim 1, wherein the free end of
the second section has at least partially a bottom protruding edge
which contacts the outer surface of said moving part of the
vehicle.
17. Cover according to claim 15, wherein each protruding edge has a
convexly curved cross-section.
18. Reinforced cover according to claim 1, wherein the material of
the main body is silicone rubber.
19. Reinforced cover according to claim 1, wherein the low-friction
layer is made of polyester fabric.
20. Reinforced cover according to claim 1, wherein said first
section is in the shape of an attachment tab.
21. Reinforced cover according to claim 1, wherein at least the
outer surface of said second section is coated with paint.
22. Reinforced cover according to claim 1, wherein the outer
surface of the cover is coated with paint.
23. Reinforced cover according to claim 1, wherein the first
attachment section comprises at least one transversal hole for
receiving the attachment means.
24. Reinforced cover according to claim 23, wherein the attachment
means are selected from rivets, nut-bolt assemblies and
bolt-rivetable nut assemblies.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims priority from Spanish
Application Serial No. 200403162, filed on Dec. 31, 2004.
Applicants claim priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119 as to said
Spanish application, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated
herein by reference in its entirety.
TECHINCAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention pertains to the field of the covers
used for covering recesses, hollows and/or cut-outs which affect
the aerodynamic properties of outer surfaces of vehicles such as
aircraft and high-speed trains. This invention is particularly
encompassed within the sector of the covers used for covering
cut-outs located between the surface of a moving element and the
surface of a fixed element on such a vehicle.
PRIOR ART TO THE INVENTION
[0003] On high-speed vehicles such as aircraft and high-speed
trains, there are moving elements articulated to fixed elements,
between which there are cut-outs in the aerodynamic contour,
located in the areas in which a surface is attached to a primary
adjacent structure which negatively affect the aerodynamic contour
of the vehicle. The sealing of these cut-outs, which may be large
in size, is necessary for the purpose of reducing the structural or
parasitic drag of the vehicle and so as not to affect the
aerodynamic efficiency of the surface, given that the dimensions of
such cut-outs may generate unanticipated behaviors in the flow of
air circulating around the vehicle. This problem is especially
important for aircraft.
[0004] The typical movement of the surfaces of the moving elements
is usually that of revolving about a fixed axis. If this axis is
located near the surface, the fitting holding it into place may
interfere with the outer cladding of the moving surface, being the
reasons why cut-outs must be made therein, these cut-outs being
dimensioned so as to prevent interference in the case of maximum
deflection of the surface. On returning to the cruising position,
these cut-outs remain open outward, thus giving rise to aerodynamic
problems consisting, on one hand, in the possibility of
unanticipated behaviors of the vehicle and, on the other, in larger
fuel consumption.
[0005] In the case of aircraft and, for example, in elevators,
linkage of the elevator to the aircraft frame usually consists of a
fixed fitting supported by a primary structure covered by an
aerodynamic panel and a fitting of the moving element, joined
together by means of an assembly comprising of a bolt and bushings,
which serve as a rotation axis of the moving element.
[0006] Inside the cavities in the interior of the cut-outs formed
between such fixed and moving elements, vortices are usually
generated which are responsible for increasing the structural or
parasitic drag, so that sealing thereof must be aimed at reducing
the existing cut-outs to the maximum. As the internal
(non-aerodynamic) elements is exposed, the air current may be
deflected, which may give rise to the aforementioned unanticipated
behaviors in the airflow. In addition thereto, when there are
cut-outs of this type in two parts of the structure distanced from
each other and which are connected to each other, a flow of air is
generated within the interior of the structure which, at the outlet
opening, may cause flow separations, the aerodynamic efficiency
being reduced thereby, it therefore being necessary that the
sealing of such cut-outs covers the largest possible portion
thereof in order to create an effective barrier which will restrain
or even stop this flow of air.
[0007] To overcome the aerodynamic problems caused by cavities and
cut-outs located between moving elements and fixed elements,
different types of covers, also known as seals, have been
conceived.
[0008] A first type of such seals are non-reinforced tongue-shaped
seals, covered in low-friction polyester fabric. Although these
seals are capable of withstanding major deflections, their lack of
reinforcement may lead, under certain conditions, such as, for
example at high cruising speeds, to a flapping of the tongue, thus
reducing its efficiency and being able to cause a negative effect
on the aerodynamics. In addition thereto, in the movements in which
the friction against the moving surface tends to contract the seal,
blockages may occur, especially if there are deposits of grime.
[0009] A second type of seal is a tongue-shaped seal with internal
cloth reinforcement, covered with low-friction polyester fabric,
which, although it improves the negative aspects of the
non-reinforced tongue-shaped seals, has the drawback of the
reinforcement provided by the cloth is not sufficient to reduce the
aforementioned flapping to desired levels.
[0010] A third type of seals is the tongue-shaped seal with
integrated plastic or metal reinforcement, covered with
low-friction fabric, which, although having a suitable rigidity,
needs an auxiliary structure for supporting the seal, so that,
although they provide a positive solution to the aerodynamic
problems, are of an unacceptable structural weight.
[0011] It was therefore desirable to develop a cover which
providing an effective sealing of the cavities and cut-outs of the
above-mentioned type, which would reduce the structural or parasite
drag to the maximum degree and would prevent unanticipated
behaviors of the flow, with a controllable rigidity in order to
withstand the major deflections without undergoing any flapping,
attached to the adjacent structured integrated into the cover,
which would protrude only minimally beyond the aerodynamic contour,
would be highly resistant against atmospheric agents and would
provide a good degree of aesthetic finishing, given that it would
have to be visible from the outside.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The present invention has the purpose of overcoming the
drawbacks of the prior art stated hereinabove by means of a
reinforced cover for cut-outs and hollows in the aerodynamic
contour of a vehicle, particularly for an aircraft, which comprises
a first attachment section attachable to a structural element of
the vehicle by attachment means, a second elastic tongue-shaped
section with an extension which covers at least partially an
existing cut-out between a fixed part and a moving part of the
vehicle and with a free end which ends on the outer surface of the
moving part, reinforcement means, and a low sliding friction layer,
such as, for example, a layer of polyester fabric, which covers at
least partially the inner surface of the second section, a main
internal body of a elastic material, such as, for example, silicone
rubber, in which cover:
[0013] the reinforcement means comprise at least a fiberglass layer
formed at the outer surface of the first section, and on at least
one area adjacent to the first section of the outer surface of the
second section;
[0014] the first section extends in a first axial plane, and the
second section extends in a second axial plane, the first axial
plane being different from the second axial plane;
[0015] the area adjacent to the second section comprises a
transition section which joins the first section to the second
section; and
[0016] the second section comprises a first area with a first cross
section beginning in said adjacent area, and a second area with a
second cross section smaller than the cross section of the first
area, and which extends towards said free end. The second area may
be, for example, rectangular or trapezoidal.
[0017] According to the invention, the thickness of the fiberglass
layer may be variable in terms of the stresses to which the first
and the second sections are exposed.
[0018] The areas which require maximum reinforcement are usually
the first section and the adjacent section, given that, on one
hand, the first section is the area by which the cover is attached,
in other words, for attaching the cover to the fixed structural
element of the vehicle, whilst the adjacent area which includes the
aforementioned transition plane, is the area which includes the
bending axis of the second section with regard to the first plane
and, therefore, is subjected to continuous bending stress.
Therefore, the thickness of the fiberglass layer at the second
section preferably decreases in direction towards the free end of
the second section and, more preferably, the thickness of the
fiberglass layer in the aforementioned adjacent area decreases
progressively from the transition section towards the free end of
the second section. In the other areas of the cover, the fiberglass
layer is thinner, which makes it possible to reduce the total
weight of the cover, which is especially important in aircraft.
[0019] The fiberglass layer forming the reinforcement of the cover
of the present invention may be a stratified layer formed of a
plurality of fiberglass cloths being piled-up on top of each other
and glued together in a manner conventional per se. In those areas
in which the reinforcement must be thicker, more cloths being
suitably cut to patterns which determine the size and shape of each
one of said cloths, are piled-up.
[0020] The reinforcement comprised of the fiberglass layer of the
cover of the present invention provides substantial advantages over
conventional reinforcements comprised of plastic or metal elements.
Thus, first of all, with regard to the process of manufacturing the
cover of the present invention, the different thicknesses which are
required in the different areas of the cover and which make it
possible to leave out thicknesses of reinforcement in those areas
which are not subjected to substantial stresses, are readily
achieved by varying the thickness of the fiberglass layer, which
contrasts with the need of achieving the different thicknesses by
means of molding the plastic reinforcement elements and with the
need of achieving the different thicknesses of the metal
reinforcements for example by means of chemical milling.
[0021] In addition thereto, the use of fiberglass as a composite
reinforcement material enhances, as compared to conventional
reinforcements such as carbon fiber, the galvanic compatibility of
materials, thus reducing the possibility of corrosion if mounted on
aluminum components, which are attacked by carbon fiber. On the
other hand, also, the galvanic incompatibility that conventional
metal reinforcement elements have against carbon elements which
constitute a part of many components and vehicles and particularly
of aircraft is avoided.
[0022] Another advantage of the fiberglass being used on the
outside of the cover of the present invention is the fact that this
outer side can be painted, therefore increasing its resistance to
weathering and noticeably improving the aesthetic finish of the
cover, thereby being an element which provides continuity to the
paint pattern of the vehicle, the requirements of the paint system
selected (primer and finishing coat) being a compatibility with
fiberglass composite material, suiting to aerodynamic contour
(high-solid finish) and a high degree of flexibility in order not
to deteriorate with the deflections of the seal.
[0023] In the aforesaid area adjacent to the first section, also
the main body may conveniently, for the purpose of providing a
suitable degree of bending strength, be of a thickness which
increases progressively along the transition section and which
decreases in the direction towards the free end of the second
section.
[0024] In one embodiment of the cover of the present invention, the
transition section extends along a slanted longitudinal axis which
connects said first axial plane with said second axial plane. The
slant of the outer surface of the transition section is not
necessarily the same as that of the inner surface of said section.
Thus, the slant of the outer surface may be the same as that of a
beveled edge of the outer surface of the fixed part of the vehicle,
whilst the interior surface may be slanted to a greater degree for
the purpose of increasing the thickened area of the main body.
[0025] In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the first
area may be provided with respective protruding edges which each
respectively extend from the sides towards the center of the first
area. These protruding edges may be padded ribs, and contact the
outer surface of the moving part of the vehicle, and are spaced
apart from each other by a distance substantially equal to the
transversal extension of the base of the second area. The
protruding edges may have a convexly curved cross-section.
[0026] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cover
comprises a main silicone rubber body and has a first tongue-shaped
section and a second section in the form of an integrated tab for
attaching it to an adjacent structural element. The main body is
reinforced on its outer (aerodynamic) side with a fiberglass layer
with a high-level surface finish and covered on its inner side
(contact with moving part) in a low-friction polyester fabric.
[0027] The second section has two areas, following the adjacent
section in direction towards the free end thereof, namely, a first
area with a tongue of a length compatible with other sealing
solutions within the aerodynamic contour, with the option of
including a rounded protruding bottom edge for contact with the
moving part, and a second area, narrower than the first area,
extended beyond the aerodynamic contour of sufficient size to cover
the cut-out between the fixed surface and the moving surface, which
may lack such an projecting edge so as to minimize projections
beyond the aerodynamic contour. Integrating these two areas in the
same cover provides a smooth transition between the same, thus
making it possible to improve the aerodynamic precision.
[0028] According to an embodiment of the cover of the present
invention especially useful on aircraft and, particularly for
covering the openings on the elevators of the type described
hereinabove, the first section which forms the attachment tab is
stage-shaped for bolting it to a structural element such as a metal
or carbon fiber panel, with a bevel on its inner surface for
positioning the stage. The rigidity of this tab, achieved with
greater thicknesses of the fiberglass layer, allows it to be
mechanized in the vicinity of the turning fittings, so that
interferences are avoided and integration thereof into the
structure is possible. Likewise it affords the possibility of
attachment elements to be mounted thereat, such as rivetable nuts,
as a result of which no additional metal section is needed for
reinforcing the attachment, as would usually be used for preventing
rips in the cloth-reinforced seals. This alternative is suitable in
cases in which it is desired to uninstall the seal without the need
of accessing the interior of the structure, as the seal itself
retains the nut without any need of using a spanner, which could be
necessary for making inspections of the assembly of fittings
supporting the moving aerodynamic surface. The tab can also take a
catch made directly by a bolt, nut and washer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] In the following, a description is provided of some
practical embodiments of the elements on the basis of some figures
in which
[0030] FIG. 1 is a schematic top plan view of the backward section
of an aircraft;
[0031] FIG. 2 is a schematic top plan view of the area marked with
a circle on FIG. 1, corresponding to the area in which a elevator
catch is located;
[0032] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-section view along the A-A' line
shown in FIG. 2.
[0033] FIG. 4 is a schematic top plan view of an embodiment of the
cover of the present invention.
[0034] FIG. 5 is a schematic view providing greater detail of the
position of the cover in FIGS. 2 and 4 at the catch of an aircraft
elevator.
[0035] FIG. 6 is a schematic side view along line B-B' shown in
FIG. 4.
[0036] FIG. 7 is a partial schematic cross-sectional view along
line C-C' of the cover corresponding to FIG. 6 which shows how the
cover is arranged on the surface of the elevator in an inactive
position;
[0037] FIGS. 8 and 9 are schematic side views showing how the cover
shown in FIG. 6 adapts to two different positions of the
elevator.
[0038] These figures include references identifying the following
elements: [0039] 1 cover [0040] 1a first attachment section [0041]
1b outer surface of the first section [0042] 1c second section
[0043] 1d free end of the second section [0044] 1e inner surface of
the second section [0045] 1f adjacent area of the second section to
the first section [0046] 1g transition section [0047] 1h inner
protruding edge [0048] 1i first area of the second section [0049]
1j second area of the second section [0050] 1k outer surface of the
second section [0051] 2 structural element of the vehicle [0052] 3
hollow [0053] 4 cut-out [0054] 5 fixed part [0055] 5a outer surface
of the fixed part of the vehicle [0056] 6 moving part of the
vehicle [0057] 6a outer surface of the moving part [0058] 7
reinforcement means [0059] 7a fiberglass layer [0060] 8
low-friction layer [0061] 9 main interior body of elastic material
[0062] 10 means of attaching the first section to the structural
element [0063] 11 vehicle (aircraft) [0064] 12 elevator [0065] 12a
curved section of the elevator [0066] 13 fitting on the fixed
structure [0067] 14 fittings on the moving structure [0068] 15 bolt
[0069] 16 throughhole in the attachment section [0070] I first
axial plane [0071] II second axial plane [0072] III longitudinal
axis
MODE TO CARRY OUT THE INVENTION
[0073] FIG. 1 shows the tail section of an aircraft where elevators
12 are located, being articulated to the fixed structure of the
aircraft by means per se conventional catches. As is shown in FIGS.
2 and 5, these catches are fittings 13, 14 coupled to each other by
means of a bolt 15, respectively joined to the fixed structure of
the stabilizers of the aircraft and to the moving structure of the
elevators 12. In order to allow the tilting of the elevator 12 with
respect to the fixed part of the aircraft stabilizer, a cut-out 4
is conventionally located on the curved part 12a of the elevator
12. This cut-out 4 is aerodynamically a drawback given that a flow
of air may blow into the hollow inside the stabilizer through this
cut-out, causing turbulences resulting in greater drag. Likewise,
the flow of air entering inside the stabilizer through the cut-out
4 may carry water and foreign objects along with it, which may
cause wearing-out and even damage to the elements located inside
the stabilizer. This problem obviously becomes greater the larger
the number of catches and therefore the greater the number of
cut-outs 4 existing in the elevator. The reinforced cover of the
present invention can be used for covering these cut-outs 4.
[0074] Thus, as is shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, the cover 1 of the
present invention is mounted for covering the cut-out 4 located in
the curved anterior part 12a of the elevator 12, so as to prevent
an air current from flowing into the hollow 3 between the fixed
structure 2 of the stabilizer and the moving structure of the
elevator 12 through the cut-out 4, such that no air current will
flow inside towards the interior of the stabilizer.
[0075] Cover 1 comprises a first attachment section 1a shaped in
the form of an attachment tab, and a second section 1c which covers
the hollow 3 by resting on the surface 6a of the elevator 12. As is
shown in FIG. 3, the cover 1 is joined to the fixed structure of
the stabilizer by catching elements including bolt/washer/nut
assemblies 10, which pass through transversal holes 16 through both
the attachment tab 1a and the fixed part 5 which is constituted by
a portion of an exterior panel which is joined, in turn, to a
structural element 2 of the stabilizer.
[0076] Between the attachment tab 1a and the second section 1c of
the cover there is a transition section 1g which allows the tab 1a
and the second section 1c to be respectively located on axial
planes I and II. The first axial plane I is located at the level of
the inner surface of the external panel 5, whilst the second axial
plane II is located at the level of the outer surface 5a of the
external panel 5. In turn, the transition section 1g extends along
a slanted longitudinal axis, which extends from said first axial
plane I up to said second axial plane II.
[0077] By means of this configuration, it is thus possible for the
outer surface 1k of the second section 1c to flush with the surface
5a of the panel 5, and for the attachment tab 1a to be anchored to
the inside of the panel 5.
[0078] As is particularly shown in FIG. 4, the second section 1c
has a first area 1i in a rectangular-shaped configuration which
extends from the adjacent area 1f of a first cross-section, and a
second area 1j with a smaller cross-section than the cross-section
of the first area 1i, which extends up to the free end 1d. This
second area 1j is trapezoidal and has a base of a lesser
transversal extension than the cross-section of the first area 1i.
The first area 1i has both padded protruding edges 1h on its inner
surface which are of a curved convex cross-section, extending
respectively from the sides up to the center of the first area 1i.
These edges 1h contact, as is shown in FIG. 3, the outer surface 6a
of the curved section 12a of the elevator 12 and are spaced apart
from each other at a distance substantially equal to the
transversal extension of the base of the second area 1j.
[0079] FIGS. 3 and 6 illustrate that the cover includes a main body
9 made of silicone rubber, coated on its outer surface with a
reinforcement 7, and on its inner surface with a low-friction layer
8 of polyester fabric. The reinforcement 7 is a fiberglass layer
7a, variable in thickness in terms of the stresses to which the
first and the second sections 1a, 1c are exposed. These stresses
are greater at the first section 1a corresponding to the attachment
tab as a result of the anchoring points of the attachment means 10
being located there and at the transition section 1g given that
this is where bending stress is caused in view of the fact that the
bending axis between the immobilized section which comprises the
attachment tab 1a and the free end 1d of the second section 1c is
located in the transition section 1g. Therefore, the thickness of
the fiberglass layer 7a at said first section 1a and at said
adjacent area 1f of the second section 1c is greater than the
thickness at other sections of the cover, and progressively
decreases from the transition section 1g towards the free end 1d of
the second section 1c. In turn, in the adjacent area 1f, the main
body 9 is of a thickness which progressively increases along the
transition section 1g and decreases in the direction towards the
free end 1d of said second section 1c.
[0080] The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6 shows how the layer
made of fiberglass 7a which forms the reinforcement is a stratified
layer made of a plurality of piled-up fiberglass cloths that are
glued to each other in a per se conventional manner. In those areas
in which the reinforcement must be thicker, specifically at the
attachment section 1a, the adjacent area 1f and at the transition
section 1g, the number of piled-up cloths is greater than in other
sections of the reinforcement. Each one of these cloths has been
suitably cut to a pattern determining their size and shape in order
for it to be possible for them to be piled-up in the proper
area.
[0081] FIGS. 7 to 9 illustrate the manner in which the cover adapts
to the tilting of the elevator 12. Thus, FIG. 7 shows the cover
when the elevator 12 is in horizontal position. In this position,
the second section 1c rests on the padded edges which are shown in
FIGS. 3 to 5.
[0082] In an ascent maneuver, the elevator 12 progressively pushes
the free end 1d of the second section 1c of the cover upward until
the second section 1c adopts the position shown in FIG. 8. Apart
therefrom, in a an aircraft descent maneuver, it is the front
curved section 12a of the elevator which, on its surface 6a coming
into contact with the padded edges 1h, progressively moves the free
end 1d of the second section 1c upward until the second section 1c
of the cover adopts the position shown in FIG. 9.
[0083] It is shown how, in any of the positions, the cover
perfectly covers the cut-out 4 and, therefore deflects the air
currents such that they cannot flow through said cut-out 4 into the
hollow inside of the stabilizer. Apart from this, it is shown how
the greater thicknesses of the main body 9 and of the reinforcement
7 at the transition section 1g enables the cover to suitably bend
whilst the reinforcement 7 prevents the flapping of the second
section 1c.
[0084] For the use for sealing cut-out 4 in aircraft elevators 12,
suitable fiberglass cloths for obtaining the fiberglass layer are,
for example, continuous filament fiberglass cloths, impregnated
with epoxy resin, in accordance with the following specifications
which are quoted herein as an example in the following Table:
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Characteristic Specifications Fiberglass
100% epoxy resin E644 Density 1.4 impregnation rate 43% Finished
cloth size (cm) 100 Weight (g/m2) 290-320 Thickness (mm) 0.2-0.3
Tensile strength (Mpa) >30 Bending strength (Mpa) 50-55
[0085] On the other hand, the low-friction layer may be made of
polyester fabrics which, as an example, may be of specifications
such as those specified in the following Table: TABLE-US-00002
TABLE 2 Characteristic Specifications Type of polyester LFT with
silicone coating Type of weave Warp fabric Type of filament
Continuous 55/56 decitex Weave 18 threads chain 19 threads weft
Weight (g/m.sup.2) 200-500 Thickness (mm) 0.3-0.5 Tensile strength
(daN/5 cm) >45 Ultimate elongation >65 Breaking strength
(bar) >10
[0086] Apart from the above, the interior body may be made out of
silicone rubber of the characteristics such as those which are
specified for purpose of example in the following Table:
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Characteristic Specifications Hardness
(DIDC) 46-55 Tensile strength >4 Ultimate elongation (%) Approx.
200 Wind shear strength Approx. 9 Density approx. 1, 2
[0087] It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to
the illustrations described and shown herein, which are deemed to
be merely illustrative of the best modes of carrying out the
invention, and which are susceptible of modification of form, size,
arrangement of parts and details of operation. The invention rather
is intended to encompass all such modifications which are within
its spirit and scope as defined by the claims.
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