BACKGROUND

1. Field

The exemplary embodiments generally relate to aerodynamic control surfaces of aircraft and more particularly to slat aero-restoration seals.

2. Brief Description of Related Developments

Slats are aerodynamic surfaces on the leading edges of the wings of, for example, a fixed or variable wing aircraft that, when extended, enable the wing to operate at a higher angle of attack and/or a slower speed without stalling. A higher coefficient of lift is produced as a result of angle of attack and air speed so that, by extending the slats, an aircraft can fly at slower speeds, and/or take off and land within shorter distances. Slats are usually used while taking off, landing, or performing other low speed maneuvers, and are usually retracted during normal, high speed flight so as to minimize their aerodynamic drag.

As the slats extend the slat track protrudes from a slat track opening on the leading edge of the wing. This slat track opening is substantially closed by an aero-restoration seal door. Typically the aero-restoration seal door is actuated by torsion springs. For example, one typical example of an aero-restoration door is a pivot type door that is coupled to the torsions springs by crank arms. As the slat extends the torsion springs are allowed to rotate the crank arms, and the aero-restoration seal door mounted thereto, so that the aero-restoration seal door is extended to block or substantially seal the slat track opening. As the slat retracts, the slat track rotates the aero-restoration seal door to a retracted position within the wing against the bias of the torsion springs. Another typical example of an aero-restoration seal door is a track guided door where, as the slat is extended, the torsion springs are allowed to rotate the crank arms to effect movement of the aero-restoration seal door along guide tracks so as to block or substantially seal the slat track opening. As the slat retracts, the slat track pushes the aero-restoration seal door along the guide tracks to a retracted position within the wing against the bias of the torsion springs. These typical aero-restoration seal doors include many parts that increase the weight and complexity of the aircraft.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, apparatuses and methods intended to address, at least, the above-identified concerns would find utility.

The following is a non-exhaustive list of examples, which may or may not be claimed, of the subject matter according to the present disclosure.

One example of the subject matter according to the present disclosure relates to a seal comprising: a seal panel having lateral sides; and a seal locking mechanism coupled to the seal panel, the seal locking mechanism being configured to resiliently move, under impetus of an actuator, between an unbowed position and a bowed position.

Another example of the subject matter according to the present disclosure relates to a method for sealing a slat track opening on a wing of an aircraft with a seal, the method comprising: positioning a seal panel substantially within the slat track opening under impetus of a displacement of an actuator, where the seal panel has lateral sides that engage slat seal tracks of the wing, where the seal includes the seal panel and a seal locking mechanism coupled to the seal panel; locking the seal locking mechanism with a lock surface of the slat seal tracks, where the seal locking mechanism resiliently moves under the impetus of the displacement of the actuator such that the seal locking mechanism engages the lock surface of the slat seal tracks.

Still another example of the subject matter according to the present disclosure relates to a method of forming a seal, the method comprising: additively manufacturing as a monolithic structure a seal panel having lateral sides; and a seal locking mechanism coupled to the seal panel, the seal locking mechanism being configured to resiliently move, under impetus of an actuator, between an unbowed position and a bowed position.

Yet another example of the subject matter according to the present disclosure relates to an aircraft comprising: a wing having a slat track opening; and a seal for sealing the slat track opening, the seal including: a seal panel having lateral sides; and a seal locking mechanism coupled to the seal panel, the seal locking mechanism being configured to resiliently move, under impetus of an actuator, between an unbowed position and a bowed position.

