Flow body systems and associated methods, including aerospace vehicle
control surface systems are disclosed herein. One aspect of the invention
is directed toward an aerospace vehicle system that includes a first flow
body that can be coupleable to an aerospace vehicle. The system can
further included a second flow body that includes a chord line and can be
rotatably coupled to the first flow body at a hinge point positioned away
from the chord line. The hinge point can have a hinge axis. The hinge
line can extend through the hinge point, but being nonparallel with the
hinge axis. The system can still further include at least one
self-aligning mechanism coupled between the first flow body and the
second flow body. The at least one self-aligning mechanism can be
positioned to allow the second flow body to rotate about the hinge line
and the hinge axis.