Control surface assemblies with torque tube base

Abstract

Control surface assemblies having a torque tube base are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes providing a control surface assembly including: providing a control surface portion having a pair of longitudinal surfaces, providing a hollow base portion coupled to the control surface portion, the base portion including an elongated curved wall, and an elongated base plate disposed crosswise to the pair of the longitudinal surfaces having at least one aperture disposed therein, and a plurality of attachment flanges extending laterally outwardly beyond the longitudinal surfaces; coupling the attachment flanges to a supporting structure of a vehicle such that the control surface portion projects outwardly from the supporting structure; moving the vehicle through a medium; and moving at least a portion of the control surface assembly to generate a force on the vehicle.

1 . A method of controlling a vehicle, comprising:
 providing a control surface assembly coupled to the vehicle, wherein providing the assembly includes:
 providing a control surface portion having a pair of longitudinal surfaces; 
 providing a hollow base portion coupled to a first end portion of the control surface portion, the base portion including an elongated curved wall, and an elongated base plate disposed crosswise to the pair of the longitudinal surfaces having at least one aperture disposed therein, and a plurality of attachment flanges extending laterally outwardly beyond the longitudinal surfaces; and 
 coupling the attachment flanges of the elongated base plate of the control surface assembly to a supporting structure of the vehicle such that the control surface portion projects outwardly from the supporting structure; 
   moving the vehicle through a medium; and   moving at least a portion of the control surface assembly to generate a force on the supporting structure of the vehicle.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein providing a hollow base portion including an elongated curved wall and an elongated base plate includes providing an elongated curved wall and an elongated base plate that cooperatively define a hollow region, and providing a control surface portion includes providing a control surface portion that projects from the elongated curved wall. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein providing an elongated curved wall and an elongated base plate that cooperatively define a hollow region includes defining a hollow region that has a semi-circular cross-sectional shape. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein providing a control surface assembly includes providing a pair of tapered end portions formed at opposing ends of the base portion. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein providing a hollow base portion including an elongated base plate includes providing the elongated base plate with a plurality of gaps. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein providing a hollow base portion includes providing the base portion having a plurality of apertures. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein providing the base portion with at least one attachment point configured to be coupled to the support structure includes providing the base portion having a plurality of elongated apertures, the base plate further including at least one span member extending laterally between the plurality of apertures. 
   
   
       8 . A method, comprising:
 providing an assembly comprising a control surface portion coupled to a base portion, the base portion being coupled to a support structure such that the control surface portion projects outwardly from the supporting structure, the base portion including:
 an elongated curved wall; and 
 an elongated base plate coupled to the elongated curved wall and having at least one aperture disposed therein, and a plurality of laterally outwardly extending attachment flanges, the attachment flanges being coupled to the support structure; and 
   actuating at least a portion of the control surface portion to generate an aerodynamic control force.   
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein providing an assembly includes providing an assembly wherein the elongated curved wall and the elongated base plate cooperatively define a hollow region, and the control surface portion projects from the elongated curved wall. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein providing an assembly includes providing an assembly wherein the hollow region has a semi-circular cross-sectional shape. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein providing an assembly includes providing an assembly wherein the base portion includes a pair of tapered end portions formed at opposing ends of the base portion. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein providing an assembly includes providing an assembly wherein the at least one aperture disposed in the base plate includes a plurality of apertures. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein providing an assembly includes providing an assembly wherein the at least one aperture disposed in the elongated base plate includes a plurality of elongated apertures, the base plate further including at least one span member extending laterally between the plurality of apertures. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising moving the support structure through a medium. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein moving the support structure through a medium includes propelling an aircraft through the medium.