An aircraft comprising a foldable aerodynamic structure and an articulation mechanism for a foldable aerodynamic structure

摘要

An aircraft, for example a passenger aircraft 1, comprises a foldable wing having an inner region 5 and an outer region 3. The outer region 3 is moveable relative to the inner region 5 between a flight configuration, an intermediate configuration, and a ground configuration. In the flight configuration the inner and outer regions 5,3 are locked together via a multiplicity of connectors for transferring loads. Each connector comprises a pin 13 and a socket 15. In the intermediate configuration the outer region 3 is displaced, for example forwardly, such that the connection is disengaged to unlock the outer region 3 front the inner region 5. In the intermediate configuration the outer region 3 is also connected to the inner region via a hinge 18. In the ground configuration, the outer region 3 is rotated about the hinge 18, such that the span of the wing is reduced.