MITIGATION OF SURFACE DISCONTINUITIES BETWEEN FLIGHT CONTROL SURFACES AND AN AIRFRAME OF AN AIRCRAFT

摘要

Embodiments provide a transitional element that bridges a gap between an edgeof a flightcontrol surface and an edge of a non-movable portion of an airframe. In oneembodiment, atransitional element bridges a gap between an edge of a flight control surfaceand an edge ofa non-movable portion of an airframe. The transitional element includes aplurality of ribsthat span the gap. Each of the plurality of ribs has a contour thatcorresponds to the flightcontrol surface and is configured to pivot a portion of a rotated angle of theflight controlsurface to generate a transitional surface across the gap.