The Boeing Company
Aircraft flap hinge

Abstract:

Aerodynamic drag associated with a flap hinge assembly used to pivotally mount a flap to the trailing edge of an aircraft wing can be reduced when the cross-sectional area of the hinge fairing which surrounds the flap hinge assembly is reduced in size. The reduction in cross-sectional area of the hinge fairing is enabled when the flap hinge assembly attachment footprint to the underside of the flap box is also reduced. The flap hinge assembly has an internal support rib positioned between spars of the flap box structure internal to the skin, a hinge fitting exhibiting an actuation point and a hinge point positioned proximate a front spar of the flap box structure external to the skin, and a link passing through an aperture in the lower skin of the flap and coupling the internal support rib to the hinge fitting.