I think it has been proven to work, tested to extreme limits, and even forced to break with no advances in the break. It reminds me of a story I once read about the tapered rod gear by Steve Wittman. He couldn't sell the idea because it "looked" flimsy. History shows what happened. Advances cannot be made without ideas. Build it and they will come. :-)
Kevin. -----Original Message----- From: krnet-boun...@mylist.net [mailto:krnet-boun...@mylist.net] On Behalf Of Jeff Scott Sent: Monday, December 05, 2005 8:11 AM To: kr...@mylist.net Subject: Re: KR> aileron hinges. As a Tech Counselor, I have inspected a Zenair Zodiac (Chris Heintz design) that used the aluminum skin as the aileron hinge. It seemed to work well and was designed to have a reasonably large bending radius that should cause a minimum of fatigue. The builder showed me that it was an optional construction method in the plans. I would think there would be a finite metal fatigue life to it, but then I didn't do the engineering calculations. I do know for a fact that the plane was completed and flown. As was mentioned previously, this is also common practice on RC planes, including some that have speeds up to 200 mph. Jeff Scott -- ienn...@att.net wrote: What happens when you add wing and aileron flexure stresses as in real flight to Mr. Chris Heintz' conclusive "ground" flexure tests? Dick -------------- Original message from "Harold Woods" <haroldwo...@rogers.com>: -------------- > Hi Netters. > A friend recently gave me a link to follow. It took me to , > http://www.zenithair.com/kit-data/ht-aileron.html. > It covers the design and Application of the ZODIAC's Hingeless Aileron. By > Chris Heintz. I have known Chris for over 40 years. He is one smart Aero > Engineer. When I first saw this design on a plane I thought that someone had > lost their marbles. But it produced such a smooth top of the wing/aileron > junction. Read his analysis of it and the simple testing to prove that it > works. Now it is too late for me but why not a fibreglass skin hinge? Do it > the same way. Make up a test situation and test like Chris did. OK Netters, > there is the challenge. Take it up and run with it. > Lets here comments pro and against. > Regards > Harold Woods > Orillia,ON. Canada. > > haroldwo...@rogers.com _______________________________________ Search the KRnet Archives at http://www.maddyhome.com/krsrch/index.jsp to UNsubscribe from KRnet, send a message to krnet-le...@mylist.net please see other KRnet info at http://www.krnet.org/info.html *The information contained in this message may be confidential and/or subject to legal privilege, and is for the use of the intended addressee only. Any unauthorized use, dissemination or copying of the information in this message is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete this message.*