Invention Grant
- Patent Title: Inflatable folding wings for a very high altitude aircraft
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Application No.: US12358036Application Date: 2009-01-22
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Publication No.: US08376279B2Publication Date: 2013-02-19
- Inventor: Robert Parks , Adam Woodworth , Peter Lively , Tomas Vaneck , Kimberly Kohlhepp , Justin McClellan
- Applicant: Robert Parks , Adam Woodworth , Peter Lively , Tomas Vaneck , Kimberly Kohlhepp , Justin McClellan
- Applicant Address: US VA Manassas
- Assignee: Aurora Flight Sciences Corporation
- Current Assignee: Aurora Flight Sciences Corporation
- Current Assignee Address: US VA Manassas
- Agency: Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP
- Main IPC: B64C3/56
- IPC: B64C3/56

Abstract:
A foldable wing for use with a very high altitude aircraft capable of operating at an altitude at or above 85,000 feet is disclosed. The foldable wing may employ a spiral fold deployment, wherein a hinge between each segment of the foldable wing is slightly offset from the perpendicular. Successively positioned wing segments fold over one another. Alternatively, the hinges are substantially perpendicular so that each respective wing segment folds linearly against the next wing segment. An inflatable rib, with inflatable arms, can be inflated to provide a force against two adjacent arms, thereby deploying the wing segments through a full 180° of rotation.
Public/Granted literature
- US20090206196A1 INFLATABLE FOLDING WINGS FOR A VERY HIGH ALTITUDE AIRCRAFT Public/Granted day:2009-08-20
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