Reinforced cover for gaps in an aerodynamic contour

Abstract

Reinforced cover for gaps in an aerodynamic contour of a vehicle, with a first attachment section la attachable to a structural element 2, 5 of the vehicle 11 , on a first axial plane I; a second elastic section 1 c which covers a gap 3 which is located between a fixed part 5 and a moving part 6, 12 of the vehicle 11 , and provided with a low-friction coating 8 on its inner surface 1 e , an outer surface 1 k with a fiberglass layer 7 a ; a main internal body 9 of an elastic material, a flexible transition section 1 g between the first and the second section, 1 a , 1 c ; the outer surface 1 k of the second section 1 c flushing with the outer surface 5 a and extending towards the free end 1 d as a continuation of the outer surface 5 a of the fixed part 5.

1 . Reinforced cover for gaps in an aerodynamic contour of a vehicle, particularly for an aircraft, comprising 
 a first section ( 1   a ) for attachment being attachable to a structural element ( 2 ,  5 ) of the vehicle ( 11 ) by attachment means ( 10 ),    a second section ( 1   c ) which is in the shape, of an elastic tongue and with an extension that at least partially covers a gap ( 3 ) between a fixed part ( 5 ) and a moving part ( 6 ,  12 ) of the vehicle ( 11 ), and with a free end ( 1   d ) which ends on the outer surface ( 6   a ) of said moving part ( 6 ,  12 ),    reinforcement means ( 7 ),    a low-friction layer ( 8 ) which at least partially covers the inner surface ( 1   a ) of said second section ( 1   c ), a main internal body ( 9 ) made of a flexible material,    wherein    the reinforcement means ( 7 ) comprises at least one fiberglass layer ( 7   a ) having a thickness and formed at the outer surface ( 1   a ) of said first section ( 1 ) and in at least one adjacent area ( 1   f ) to said first section ( 1   a ) of the outer surface ( 1   i ) of said second section ( 1   c ) ;    said first section ( 1   a ) extends in a first axial plane (I) and said second section ( 1   c ) extends in a second axial plane (II), said first axial plane (I) being different from said second axial plane (II).    said adjacent area ( 1   f ) of the second section ( 1   c ) comprises a flexible transition section ( 1   g ) between said first section ( 1   a ) and said second section ( 1   c );    the outer surface ( 1   i ) of the second section ( 1   c ) flushes with the outer surface ( 5   a ) of the fixed part ( 2 ) of the vehicle and extends towards the free end ( 1   d ) as a continuation of said outer surface ( 5   a ).    
   
   
       2 . Reinforced cover according to  claim 1 , wherein said adjacent area ( 1   f ) of the second section ( 1   c ) comprises a flexible transition section ( 1   g ) between said first section ( 1   a ) and said second section ( 1   c ) 
 the outer surface ( 1   i ) of the second section ( 1   c ) flushes with the outer surface ( 5   a ) of the fixed part ( 2 ) of the vehicle and extends towards the free end ( 1   d ) as a continuation of said outer surface ( 5   a ).    
   
   
       3 . Reinforced cover according to  claim 1 , wherein the fiberglass layer ( 7   a ) comprises a plurality of piled-up and glued-together fiberglass cloths, the thickness of the fiberglass layer being determined by the number of piled-up fiberglass cloths.  
   
   
       4 . Reinforced cover according to  claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the fiberglass layer ( 7   a ) is greater at areas of said first and said second section ( 1   a ,  1   c ) which are exposed to greater stresses, than in areas subjected to lesser stresses.  
   
   
       5 . Reinforced cover according to  claim 3 , wherein the fiberglass layer ( 7   a ) comprises a larger number of piled-up glass cloths in areas of said first and said second section ( 1   a ,  1   c ) which are exposed to greater stresses, than in areas subjected to lesser stresses.  
   
   
       6 . Reinforced cover according to  claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the fiberglass layer ( 7   a ) in said first section ( 1   a ) and in said adjacent area ( 1   f ) of the second section ( 1   c ) is greater than the thickness of the fiberglass layer in other sections of the cover ( 1 ).  
   
   
       7 . Reinforced cover according to  claim 3 , wherein the fiberglass layer ( 7   a ) comprises a larger number of piled-up fiberglass cloths in said first section ( 1   a ) and in said adjacent area ( 1   f ) of the second section ( 1   c ) that in other sections of the cover ( 1 ).  
   
   
       8 . Reinforced cover according to  claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the fiberglass layer ( 7   a ) on the second section ( 1   c ) decreases in the direction towards the free end ( 1   d ) of said second section ( 1   c ).  
   
   
       9 . Reinforced cover according to  claim 3 , wherein the number of piled-up fiberglass cloths in the second section ( 1   c ) decreases in the direction towards the free end ( 1   d ) of said second section ( 1   c ).  
   
   
       10 . Reinforced cover according to  claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the fiberglass layer ( 7   a ) on said adjacent area ( 1   f ) decreases progressively from the transition section ( 1   g ) towards the free end ( 1   d ) of the second section ( 1   c ).  
   
   
       11 . Reinforced cover according to  claim 3 , wherein the number of piled-up fiberglass cloths in said adjacent area ( 1   f ) decreases progressively from the transition section ( 1   g ) up to the free end ( 1   d ) of the second section ( 1   c ).  
   
   
       12 . Reinforced cover according to  claim 1 , wherein the transition section ( 1   g ) extends along a slanted longitudinal axis which extends from said first axial plane (I) to said second axial plane (II).  
   
   
       13 . Reinforced cover according to  claim 1 , wherein in said adjacent area ( 1   f ), the main body ( 9 ) is of a thickness which progressively increases in said transition section ( 1   g ) and decreases in the direction towards free end ( 1   d ) of said second section ( 1   c ).  
   
   
       14 . Reinforced cover according to  claim 1 , wherein the free end ( 1   d ) of the second section ( 1   c ) has, at least partially, a lower protruding edge ( 1   h ) which contacts with the outer surface ( 6   a ) of said moving part ( 6 ,  12 ) of the vehicle ( 11 ).  
   
   
       15 . Reinforced cover according to  claim 14 , wherein each protruding edge ( 1   h ) has a convexly curved cross-section.  
   
   
       16 . Reinforced cover according to  claim 1 , wherein the material of the main body ( 9 ) is silicone rubber.  
   
   
       17 . Reinforced cover according to  claim 1 , wherein the low-friction layer ( 8 ) is made of polyester fabric.  
   
   
       18 . Reinforced cover according to  claim 1 , wherein said first section ( 1   a ) is shaped in the form of an attachment tab.  
   
   
       19 . Reinforced cover according to  claim 1 , wherein at least the outer surface ( 1   i ) of said second section ( 1   c ) is coated with paint.  
   
   
       20 . Reinforced cover according to  claim 1 , wherein the outer surface of the cover is coated with paint.  
   
   
       21 . Reinforced cover according to  claim 1 , wherein the first attachment section ( 1   a ) comprises at least one throughhole ( 16 ) for receiving the attachment means ( 10 ).  
   
   
       22 . Reinforced cover according to  claim 21 , wherein the attachment means ( 10 ) are selected from rivets, nut-bolt assemblies and bolt-rivetable nut assemblies.