By Controlling Boundary Layer Patents (Class 244/204)
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Patent number: 11933323Abstract: A subsea fluid pressure-increasing machine includes an elongated member that is rotatable about a longitudinal axis. The machine also may include a plurality of impellers each having a leading edge, a trailing edge, a suction side, and a chord line defined by a line between the leading and trailing edges. Each impeller is fixedly mounted to the member such that a chord angle defined by an angle between the chord line and the rotation direction is less than or equal to a stall angle at which a maximum force is exerted on a fluid in a direction primarily parallel to the longitudinal axis when the member is rotated in the rotation direction. At least some of the impellers comprise one or more features that effectively reduce a pressure peak or specific loading of the suction side such that the axial length of the impeller is configured to be reduced without exceeding a desired specific load.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2018Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: OneSubsea IP UK LimitedInventor: Bernt-Helge Torkildsen
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Patent number: 11840326Abstract: Methods for optimizing Boundary Layer Control (BLC) systems and related systems (e.g. a Laminar Flow Control (LFC) system or systems, a Static Pressure Thrust (SPT) system or systems, a Boundary Layer Ingestion (BLI)/Wake Immersed Propulsion (WIP) system or systems, and/or low-dissipation BLC fluid-movement system or systems) to operate in concert with each other and a bellows air-moving system are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2022Date of Patent: December 12, 2023Inventor: David Thomas Birkenstock
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Patent number: 11685512Abstract: A lift-changing mechanism is configured to change generated by a wing of an aircraft and includes a slit and an opening and closing member. The slit extends in a wingspan direction inside the wing and forms openings on the lower surface of the wing and on the upper surface of the wing respectively. A part of airflow below the lower surface is allowed to flow toward the upper surface through the slit. The opening and closing member is configured to open and close the slit. When the opening and closing member opens the slit, lift generated on the wing is decreased compared with when the slit is closed.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2021Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATIONInventors: Wataru Kobayashi, Hirotaka Hayashi, Mizuki Nakamura, Masafumi Sasaki
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Patent number: 11565795Abstract: A vertical tail unit (7) for flow control including: an outer skin (13) in contact with an ambient air flow (21), wherein the outer skin (13) extends between a leading edge (23) and a trailing edge (25), and surrounds an interior space (29), and wherein the outer skin (13) includes a porous section (31) in the area of the leading edge (23), a pressure chamber (15) arranged in the interior space (29), wherein the pressure chamber (15) is fluidly connected to the porous section (31), an air inlet (17) provided in the outer skin (13), wherein the air inlet (17) is fluidly connected to the pressure chamber (15), wherein the air outlet (19) is fluidly connected to the pressure chamber (15). The vertical tail unit (7) has reduced drag and an increased efficiency because the air inlet (17) is formed as an opening (35) in the outer skin (13) at the leading edge (23).Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2021Date of Patent: January 31, 2023Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbHInventor: Thomas Heuer
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Patent number: 11548621Abstract: An aircraft airfoil having an internal thrust unit and an aircraft having the same are provided. The airfoil includes a skin structure having a lower surface extending between a leading edge and a trailing edge of the airfoil over which air flows during forward flight. A thrust system is connected to the skin structure and includes a thrust unit generating an airflow that is at least partially expelled through an outlet in the lower surface of the skin structure. At least one outlet cover is connected to the skin structure and movable between a forward flight position, in which the at least one outlet cover is configured to deflect the airflow in an at least partially rearward direction, and a vertical flight position, in which the at least one outlet cover is substantially clear of the airflow which is directed in an at least partially downward direction.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2021Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Assignee: Horizon Aircraft Inc.Inventors: Eric Brian Robinson, Eric Brandon Robinson
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Patent number: 11286042Abstract: Variably porous panels and panel assemblies incorporating shape memory alloy components along with methods for actuating the shape memory alloys are disclosed to predictably alter the porosity of a substrate surface, with the shape memory alloy maintained in an orientation relative to the panel that is in-plane with a mold-line of the panel outer surface.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2018Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Frederick Theodore Calkins, Douglas E. Nicholson, Jordan Kreitzman
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Patent number: 11268550Abstract: A method of controlling a fluid flow using momentum and/or vorticity injections. Actively controlling an actuator allows for direct, precise, and independent control of the momentum and swirl entering into the fluid system. The perturbations are added to the flow field in a systematic mater providing tunable control input, thereby modifying behavior thereof in a predictable manner to improve the flow characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2019Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: The Florida State University Research Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Kunihiko Taira, Farrukh Alvi, Phillip Munday
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Patent number: 11208202Abstract: A flow body of an aircraft includes: a flow surface exposed to an airstream during flight of the aircraft, the flow surface generating at least one region of turbulent airflow during flight of the aircraft, at least one perforated area including a plurality of openings extending through the flow surface, a manifold positioned interior to the flow surface in fluid communication with the openings, and at least one suction duct having a first end and a second end, the first end being in fluid communication with the manifold, the second end including a suction opening and being arranged in the at least one region of turbulent airflow, wherein the suction opening is adapted for inducing a suction force in the at least one suction duct when the flow surface is exposed to an airstream during flight, thereby inducing a flow of air from through the plurality of openings.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2019Date of Patent: December 28, 2021Inventor: Peter Kreuzer
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Patent number: 11142302Abstract: An active flow control system for generating yaw control moments for an aircraft during forward flight. The system includes right and left yaw effectors disposed proximate the right and left wingtips of the wing. A pressurized air system includes a pressurized air source and a plurality of injectors operably associated with the right and left yaw effectors that influence the path of airflow above and below the yaw effectors. Based upon which of the injectors is injecting pressurized air, the right and left yaw effectors generate no yaw control moment, generate a yaw right control moment or generate a yaw left control moment.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2020Date of Patent: October 12, 2021Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Daniel Bryan Robertson, Kirk Landon Groninga, Matthew Edward Louis
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Patent number: 10974817Abstract: A vertical tail unit (7) for flow control including: an outer skin (13) in contact with an ambient air flow (21), wherein the outer skin (13) extends between a leading edge (23) and a trailing edge (25), and surrounds an interior space (29), and wherein the outer skin (13) includes a porous section (31) in the area of the leading edge (23), a pressure chamber (15) arranged in the interior space (29), wherein the pressure chamber (15) is fluidly connected to the porous section (31), an air inlet (17) provided in the outer skin (13), wherein the air inlet (17) is fluidly connected to the pressure chamber (15), wherein the air outlet (19) is fluidly connected to the pressure chamber (15). The vertical tail unit (7) has reduced drag and an increased efficiency because the air inlet (17) is formed as an opening (35) in the outer skin (13) at the leading edge (23).Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2018Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbHInventor: Thomas Heuer
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Patent number: 10967955Abstract: A vertical tail unit (7) including an outer skin (13) in contact with an ambient air flow (21), wherein the outer skin (13) extends between a leading edge (23) and a trailing edge (25) with opposite lateral sides (27a, 27b), and surrounds an interior space (29), and wherein the outer skin (13) has a porous section at the leading edge (23), a pressure chamber (15) arranged in the interior space (29), wherein the pressure chamber (15) is fluidly connected to the porous section (31), an air inlet (17) provided in the outer skin (13) and fluidly connected to the pressure chamber (15), and an air outlet (19) provided in the outer skin (13) and fluidly connected to the pressure chamber (15).Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2018Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbHInventor: Thomas Heuer
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Patent number: 10933976Abstract: A leading edge high-lift device, that may be deployable from a wing of an aircraft, may include a leading edge and a trailing edge. A lower surface and an upper surface may both extend between the leading edge and the trailing edge. A trailing edge region may be defined by the trailing edge and an adjacent region thereto. A shaping device may be disposed at the trailing edge region and may be movable between a non-activated position and an activated position.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2018Date of Patent: March 2, 2021Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Ronald Tatsuji Kawai, Daniel Michael Tompkins, Robert Hauschild Liebeck, Kevin Robert Elmer, Eric David Dickey
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Patent number: 10928839Abstract: A system and method for regulating and actuating bleed over a structure exposed in a fluid motion are disclosed. The bleed inlet and outlet are formed on the surface of the structure establishing fluidic communication across surfaces. The disclosed system and method contemplates active control and regulation of the bleed to modify crossflow properties such as, aerodynamic forces, hydrodynamic forces, vorticity, and moments.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2014Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: Georgia Tech Research CorporationInventors: Ari Glezer, John M. Kearney
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Patent number: 10737796Abstract: A propulsion assembly for an aircraft, the assembly including a turbojet having at least one unducted propulsive propeller, and an attachment pylon for attaching the turbojet to a structural element of the aircraft, the pylon being positioned on the turbojet upstream from the propeller and having a streamlined profile defined by two opposite side faces extending transversely between a leading edge and a trailing edge. The pylon includes a plurality of blow nozzles situated in the vicinity of its trailing edge and configured to blow air taken from a pressurized portion of the turbojet, the blow nozzles being positioned over at least a fraction of the trailing edge of the pylon that extends longitudinally facing at least a portion of the propeller. A method of reducing the noise generated by a pylon attaching a turbojet to an aircraft is presented.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2016Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINESInventors: Mathieu Simon Paul Gruber, Timothy Delteil McWilliams
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Patent number: 10730606Abstract: The present set of embodiments relate to systems, methods, and apparatuses for airfoil systems designed for aircraft or other craft. More specifically, the present disclosure includes various embodiments of airfoils that include fixed or adjustable louvers that allow the airfoil to adapt to various conditions including angle or attack and airspeed. Such airfoil systems increase the dynamic range or airfoils by maximizing lift or minimizing drag depending on the conditional requirements.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2016Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Inventor: Josh Waite
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Patent number: 10495121Abstract: A method and a device for measuring a fluid flow characteristic of an ambient fluid and modifying fluid flow of the ambient fluid, the method including: applying a first voltage between a first electrode and a second electrode, the first voltage being sufficient to generate a plasma in the first space; applying a second voltage between the first electrode and a third electrode, the second voltage being sufficient to generate a plasma in the second space; measuring a first current between the first and second electrodes, and a second current between the first and third electrodes; determining a fluid flow characteristic of the ambient fluid; and applying a third voltage between the first and second electrodes, the third voltage being sufficient to generate a plasma in the first space sufficient to modify fluid flow of the ambient fluid in the first direction in the first space.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2017Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: X Development LLCInventors: Sylvia Joan Smullin, Cyrus Behroozi, Dominico P. Julian
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Patent number: 10486793Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a first deflector configured to couple to a shaft of a wing of an aircraft and form part of a top surface of the wing when in a first closed position, and a second deflector configured to couple to the shaft and form part of a bottom surface of the wing when in a second closed position. The first deflector and the second deflector may be configured to be positioned proximate to the tip of the wing. The first deflector and the second deflector may be configured to simultaneously pivot from the closed positions to respective first and second open positions upon actuation of the shaft.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2016Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Kenneth Merle Dorsett, Robert Carl Storrie
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Patent number: 10472052Abstract: An aircraft flow body includes a flow surface exposed to an airstream during flight, at least one structural component attached to an interior of the flow surface, at least one perforated area having a plurality of openings extending through the flow surface, a manifold positioned interior to the flow surface in fluid communication with the openings and upstream of the at least one structural component, and at least one suction duct having a first end in communication with the manifold and a second end placed exterior to the flow surface downstream of the structural component. The at least one suction duct includes a suction opening facing away from the first end and adapted for inducing a suction force into the at least one suction duct when the flow surface is exposed to the airstream during flight, thereby inducing a flow of air from through the openings to the suction opening.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2017Date of Patent: November 12, 2019Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbHInventor: Gerd Heller
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Patent number: 10443563Abstract: A vortex generator for a wind turbine blade includes a fin protruding from a surface of the wind turbine blade, being oriented so that a fin chord of the fin is oblique to an in-flow direction of wind which flows toward the wind turbine blade, having a suction surface which faces toward downstream with respect to the in-flow direction of the wind and which has a curved convex shape, and having a maximum fin blade-thickness ratio tmax/C which satisfies an expression of 0.10?tmax/C?0.12 in a height range of at least a part of the fin, where the maximum fin blade-thickness ratio tmax/C is a ratio of a maximum fin blade thickness tmax to a fin chord length C.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2016Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventor: Koji Fukami
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Patent number: 10399665Abstract: Sounds are generated by an aerial vehicle during operation. For example, the motors and propellers of an aerial vehicle generate sounds during operation. Disclosed are systems, methods, and apparatus for actively adjusting the position of one or more propeller blade treatments of a propeller blade of an aerial vehicle during operation of the aerial vehicle. For example, the propeller blade may have one or more propeller blade treatments that may be adjusted between two or more positions. Based on the position of the propeller blade treatments, the airflow over the propeller is altered, thereby altering the sound generated by the propeller when rotating. By altering the propeller blade treatments on multiple propeller blades of the aerial vehicle, the different sounds generated by the different propeller blades may effectively cancel, reduce, and/or otherwise alter the total sound generated by the aerial vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2018Date of Patent: September 3, 2019Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Brian C. Beckman, Gur Kimchi, Allan Ko
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Patent number: 10337493Abstract: Disclosed is a method of adaptively adjusting lift and drag on an airfoil-shaped sail. The method includes: (1) mounting at least one airfoil-shaped sail body having an airfoil-shaped cross section; (2) defining a Y-shaped air jet channel in the airfoil-shaped sail body; (3) arranging a flow regulating gate in the Y-shaped air jet channel; (4) adjusting the flow regulating gate to automatically adjust the gate opening extent and the cross section opening or closing extent in response to an oncoming flow with a varying direction and speed, to regulate the airflow within the air jet channel and accordingly change the angle of attack, so that the lift and drag on the sail body can be automatically adjusted as the wind speed changes. Further disclosed are an airfoil-shaped sail implementing the above method as well as a vertical-axis wind turbine employing the airfoil-shaped sail.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2017Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: DONGGUAN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGYInventors: Baiman Chen, Guanfeng Qin, Yongjun Xu, Minlin Yang
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Patent number: 10315754Abstract: Fluid systems are described herein. An example embodiment of a fluid system has a lengthwise axis, a chord length, a first body portion, a second body portion, a spacer, and a fluid pressurizer. The first body portion and the second body portion cooperatively define an injection opening, a suction opening, and a channel that extends from the injection opening to the suction opening. The fluid pressurizer is disposed within the channel cooperatively defined by the first body portion and the second body portion. The first body portion defines a cavity that is sized and configured to filter debris that enters the channel during use and provide a mechanism for removing the debris from the system.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2017Date of Patent: June 11, 2019Assignee: Coflow Jet, LLCInventor: Gecheng Zha
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Patent number: 10196129Abstract: Two element aerofoils are provided, having an aerofoil chord, a primary element having a first leading edge and a first trailing edge, a secondary element having a second leading edge and a second trailing edge, a gap between the primary element and the secondary element, and an axial overlap between the first trailing edge and the second leading edge. The secondary element is deflectable with respect to the primary element about a fixed hinge point by a flap deflection angle. The secondary element is configured to operate in airbrake mode when deflected by a respective the flap deflection angle corresponding to a design airbrake deflection angle wherein to generate an airbrake drag. In at least some examples, the axial overlap is numerically greater than ?0.5% of the aerofoil chord, at least for the design airbrake deflection angle. Also disclosed are methods for operating air vehicles, and methods for designing two-element aerofoils.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2014Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: ISRAEL AEROSPACE INDUSTRIES LTD.Inventors: Michael Shepshelovich, Danny Abramov
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Patent number: 9964506Abstract: A sensor system for determining a moisture content of a fluid medium flowing in a main flow direction, e.g., an intake air of an internal combustion engine, includes: a sensor housing; at least one moisture sensor situated in the sensor housing for determining the moisture content of the fluid medium; at least one retaining element at least partially permeable to moisture; an inlet opening for channeling moisture into the sensor housing and to the moisture sensor; and at least one outlet opening situated separately from the inlet opening and channeling moisture from the sensor housing into the flowing fluid medium. The retaining element is situated in the sensor housing in such a way that the moisture sensor is acted upon by the moisture via the inlet opening and the retaining element.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2013Date of Patent: May 8, 2018Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBHInventors: Andreas Kaufmann, Ulrich Wagner, Lukas Hagmanns, Achim Briese
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Patent number: 9896191Abstract: A jet aircraft includes an aircraft integrated, fluid vectoring, exhaust nozzle system. Implementation of this disclosure may eliminate or reduce the size of the aircraft vertical stabilizer and rudder assembly, thereby potentially improving aircraft survivability and increasing aircraft thrust-to-weight ratio.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2015Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.Inventor: Von D. Baker
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Patent number: 9815545Abstract: An aerodynamic lifting system for a VTOL aircraft is provided that includes a lifting structure defining a leading edge portion, a trailing edge portion, an upper surface extending between the leading edge portion and the trailing edge portion, and a lower surface extending between the leading edge portion and the trailing edge portion. A plurality of leading edge and trailing edge movable flaps, along with leading edge openings and trailing edge openings are employed to direct a flow of air, including along an upper surface of the lifting structure. During transition from a VTOL stage to forward flight, when a first leading edge movable flap is in a closed position, a net forward thrust is provided by the flow of air at the leading edge portion.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2017Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: STEERING FINANCIAL LTD.Inventor: David Steer
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Patent number: 9751290Abstract: A device and to a method for the production of essentially two-dimensionally arched large-area structural components from a fiber composite material, including a jig having a convex mounting surface which has longitudinally extending receiving channels for the insertion of construction components and which can be loaded with auxiliary materials, wherein the loaded jig interacts with a laminating bonding device having a corresponding shape for forming the structural component under pressure, wherein the jig includes a mounting shell that at the edge can be elastically deformed inwards, which mounting shell, by way of a plurality of actuators that are articulated to the inside, can be moved between an extended position (A) and at least one retracted position (B) in which the jig can be moved relative to the longitudinally extending receiving channels from the laminating bonding device without undercuts.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2011Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbHInventors: Georg Lonsdorfer, Remo Hinz, Adrian Wachendorf, Niels Deschauer, Adam Andrä
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Patent number: 9493233Abstract: A cavity system that tends to increase the thickness (28) of the shear layer (22), comprising: a cavity (2) and a plurality of rods (4), for example between two and six rods; the rods (4) are positioned in the proximity of a leading edge (14) of the cavity (2) and extending across at least a part of a width of the cavity (2) in a perpendicular or oblique angle to the actual or intended flow direction (6). One or more of the rods (4) may be positioned further along the flow direction (6) compared to one or more of the other rods (4), for example to provide a zig-zag pattern of rod positions. One or more flow alteration elements (34, 38), for example channels (34) passing through the rods (4) and/or protrusions (38) extending from the rods (4), may be provided on one or more of the rods (4).Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2014Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: BAE Systems plcInventor: David Euan Patience
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Patent number: 9487288Abstract: Systems and methods for secondary suctioning for an aerodynamic body are presented. A primary surface is configured along a leading edge of an aerodynamic body, and at least one secondary suction device comprising an elongated shape is configured at least a first distance from the primary surface. A non-suction surface is configured between the primary surface and the at least one secondary suction device.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2013Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Peter L. Rupp, Pradip G. Parikh, Lian L. Ng, Paul M. Vijgen
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Patent number: 9422954Abstract: Disclosed herein is an active roughness actuator and a method of forming an active roughness actuator. The active roughness actuator includes a surface having at least one aperture; a compliant layer disposed on the surface such that the compliant layer covers the at least one aperture; a chamber having a fluid therein and a piezoelectric surface mechanically coupled to the chamber. The chamber is in fluid communication with the compliant layer via the at least one aperture. The piezoelectric surface is configured to displace the fluid in the chamber to control production of at least one dimple in the compliant layer proximate to the at least one aperture.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2013Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTEInventors: Tyler Van Buren, Michael Amitay
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Patent number: 9272773Abstract: Apparatus and methods to operate laminar flow control system doors are described. One described example apparatus includes an outboard structure of an aircraft, a first door assembly on a first side of the outboard structure having a first door defining a first opening and a second door assembly on a second side of the outboard structure having a second door defining a second opening. The example apparatus also includes a perforated surface proximate a leading edge of the outboard structure and an actuator disposed in the aircraft. The actuator drives first and second linkages that couple the first and second doors to the actuator. The first and second linkages are to operate the first and second doors, respectively, in an open mode in which the first and second openings create an airflow path between the perforated surface and the first and second openings.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2013Date of Patent: March 1, 2016Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventor: Rick A. Biedscheid
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Patent number: 9193444Abstract: A lift arrangement for an aircraft includes an aircraft fuselage section with an outside, an aerodynamic lift body attached to the aircraft fuselage section and extending from the aircraft fuselage section outwardly, and a pair of movably held add-on bodies arranged upstream of a leading edge of the aerodynamic lift body. The add-on bodies include an aerodynamically effective surface and are equipped with incoming airflow to generate vortices that impinge on the aerodynamic lift body, thus leading to an increase in lift on the aerodynamic lift body. Thus the lift generation on a lift body is effectively influenced, in particular to compensate for loss of lift as a result of icing. The add-on bodies are moveable, and, can be moved to a neutral position in which they do not project into the flow around the aircraft, and are thus not effective from the point of view of fluid dynamics.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2013Date of Patent: November 24, 2015Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbHInventors: Carsten Weber, Markus Fischer, Arne Grote, Rolf Radespiel, Martin Dreyer
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Patent number: 9027702Abstract: A synthetic jet muffler includes an exit end, a propagation path for conducting a first sound wave emitted by a synthetic jet generator to the exit end, and a shroud for conducting a second sound wave emitted from the synthetic jet generator in a direction opposite to the first sound wave to the exit end, wherein the shroud is disposed so that the first and second sound waves travel different distances to effect noise cancellation at the exit end.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2013Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Steven F. Griffin
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Patent number: 9016632Abstract: A method and system are provided to weaken shock wave strength at leading edge surfaces of a vehicle in atmospheric flight. One or more flight-related attribute sensed along a vehicle's outer mold line are used to control the injection of a non-heated, non-plasma-producing gas into a local external flowfield of the vehicle from at least one leading-edge surface location along the vehicle's outer mold line. Pressure and/or mass flow rate of the gas so-injected is adjusted in order to cause a Rankine-Hugoniot Jump Condition along the vehicle's outer mold line to be violated.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2013Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Endwell O. Daso, Victor E. Pritchett, II, Ten-See Wang, Rebecca Ann Farr, Aaron Howard Auslender, Isaiah M. Blankson, Kenneth J. Plotkin
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Patent number: 8939410Abstract: An apparatus delays the transition of a boundary layer flow from laminar to turbulent. Flow disruptors are positioned to be in contact with a boundary layer flow moving in a flow direction over a surface. Each flow disruptor generates fluctuations in the boundary layer flow such that the frequency of the fluctuations is a damping region frequency defined by an amplification rate curve associated with the boundary layer flow.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2013Date of Patent: January 27, 2015Inventor: Reginald J Exton
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Patent number: 8894019Abstract: A system for controlling unwanted flow separation. One or more microjets are placed to feed auxiliary fluid into a region of suspected flow separation on a surface. If the separation is intermittent, sensors can be employed to detect its onset. Once separation is developing, the microjets are activated to inject a stream of high-velocity gas in a direction that is transverse to the prevailing flow. This injected stream forms counter-rotating vortices in the prevailing flow and thereby transfers momentum from the prevailing flow into the boundary layer proximate the surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2012Date of Patent: November 25, 2014Assignee: Florida State University Office of CommercializationInventor: Farrukh S. Alvi
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Patent number: 8882049Abstract: An airfoil system includes an airfoil body and at least one flexible strip. The airfoil body has a top surface and a bottom surface, a chord length, a span, and a maximum thickness. Each flexible strip is attached along at least one edge thereof to either the top or bottom surface of the airfoil body. The flexible strip has a spanwise length that is a function of the airfoil body's span, a chordwise width that is a function of the airfoil body's chord length, and a thickness that is a function of the airfoil body's maximum thickness.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2008Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Qamar A. Shams, Tianshu Liu
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Patent number: 8827211Abstract: Systems, equipment, and methods to deposit energy to modify and control air flow, lift, and drag, in relation to air vehicles, and methods for seeding flow instabilities at the leading edges of control surfaces, primarily through shockwave generation through deposition of laser energy at a distance.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2008Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Inventor: Kevin Kremeyer
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Publication number: 20140233769Abstract: The invention relates to a diaphragm arrangement which is intended to be fitted to a structural component or fixing ring for the purpose of generating sound, having two piezo crystals which are fitted opposite one another on either side of an electrically conductive diaphragm which can oscillate, wherein the piezo crystals are each fastened to the diaphragm, which has a connection contact, in an electrically conductive and force-transmitting manner, and the piezo crystals are each electrically conductively connected to a contact plate on their opposite side. In this case, each contact plate has at least one contact strip which extends in the direction of the structural component and of which the end in each case has an electrical connection contact. The diaphragm arrangement can be excited by electrical voltages which can be applied to the three connection contacts.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2012Publication date: August 21, 2014Inventor: Stefan Storm
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Patent number: 8783337Abstract: A system and method for producing surface deformations on a surface of a body. The system and method relate to changing the convective heat transfer coefficient for a surface. The system includes a first surface being a surface of a body exposed to a fluid flow and at least one actuator affecting deformation of the first surface. The system also includes a control system providing control commands to the at least one actuator, the control commands configured to change deformations on the first surface in order to change the convective heat transfer coefficient of the first surface. Further, the system includes a sensor providing environmental characteristic information to the control system.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2006Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Alistair K. Chan, Clarence T. Tegreene
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Patent number: 8746624Abstract: An airfoil boundary layer control system may be provided. The airfoil boundary layer control system may include at least one airfoil that may include a first surface and a second surface coupled together at a leading edge and a trailing edge; at least one hollow chamber defined within the at least one airfoil; and an aperture defined in the airfoil and positioned substantially near the trailing edge, the aperture coupled in flow communication with the at least one hollow chamber; a pressure source coupled in flow communication with the at least one hollow chamber.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2009Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Inventor: David Birkenstock
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Patent number: 8702042Abstract: A flow body is disclosed, particularly for aircraft. The flow body includes an outer side impinged on in a predetermined manner by a fluid in a direction of impinging flow, the flow body having on its outer side at least one flow control device including micro-perforations arranged in at least one segment of the outer side, at least one connecting passage communicated with the micro-perforations via at least one suction chamber so fluid flowing through the micro-perforations flows via the suction chamber into the connecting passage, at least one suction device having a first inlet communicated with the connecting passage, a second inlet communicated with at least one ram fluid feed line, wherein the ram fluid feed line is in a region of the flow body opposite to the direction of impinging flow of the flow body, and an outlet device for discharging the fluid.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2012Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbHInventors: Martin Gerber, Geza Schrauf
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Publication number: 20140061387Abstract: A surface element, e.g. a wing, of an aircraft includes a leading edge, a high lift device arrangement positioned along the leading edge and at least one add-on body positioned in a leading edge region, wherein the high lift device arrangement is interrupted in the region of at least one add-on body for preventing collision with the add-on body and wherein the surface element includes an arrangement of openings in a region covering the add-on body, which openings are connected to an air conveying device for conveying air through the openings. Thereby an additional flap for harmonizing the flow above a pylon or other add-on body can be eliminated.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2013Publication date: March 6, 2014Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBHInventor: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
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Patent number: 8657237Abstract: A flying object which moves with a transonic or supersonic velocity is disclosed. The inventive flying object comprises a main body, a streaming element and a holding element. The holding element holds the streaming element distant from the main body. The streaming element is permeable for the airstream. For one embodiment the streaming element is built with a porous material. The streaming element has an outer surface with the shape of a cone or a truncated cone. The holding element holds the streaming element in an orientation with the cone opening towards the airstream.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2010Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: Deutsches Zentrum fur Luft-und Raumfahrt E.V.Inventor: Erich Schulein
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Patent number: 8640986Abstract: An aircraft turbojet nacelle comprising blowing means intended to inject a tangential airflow (Ft) into the internal volume (V) of the nacelle, said blowing means being provided in a wall of the air intake of the nacelle in the supersonic area of said air intake. The invention also concerns a method for controlling separation in an aircraft nacelle, wherein a tangential airflow is injected (Ft) into the internal volume (V) of the nacelle in the locally supersonic area of the air intake so as to pull the main airflow (F) into the extension of the inner wall of the nacelle.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2008Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: Airbus Operations SASInventors: Thierry Surply, Christophe Bourdeau
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Patent number: 8632031Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing the trailing vortices and lowering the noise produced by the side edges of aircraft flight control surfaces, tips of wings and winglets, and tips of rotor blades. A noise-reducing, wake-alleviating device is disclosed which incorporates an actuator and one or more air-ejecting slot-shaped openings coupled to that actuator and located on the upper and/or lower surfaces and/or the side edges of an aircraft flight control surface or the tip of a wing, winglet or blade. The actuation mechanism produces sets of small and fast-moving air jets that traverse the openings in the general streamwise direction. The actuation destabilizes the flap vortex structure, resulting in reduced intensity of trailing vortices and lower airplane noise.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2011Date of Patent: January 21, 2014Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Arvin Shmilovich, Abdollah Khodadoust
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Patent number: 8616494Abstract: The invention relates to a vortex generator (10), in particular for a model (12) in a fluid-dynamic channel. In order to save time during the development of vehicles, in particular aircraft, in particular to save wind tunnel time, it is suggested to configure the vortex generator (10) switchable. Further, the invention relates to various uses of such a switchable vortex generator (10), in particular on models in fluid-dynamic channels and in fluid-dynamic channel tests.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2009Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbHInventors: Klaus-Peter Neitzke, Karin Bauer, Christian Bolzmacher, Winfried Kupke
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Patent number: 8602361Abstract: A method of monitoring the performance of an aerodynamic surface of an aircraft. The aircraft is operated during a non-perturbed measurement period such that the flow of air over the surface is at least partially laminar. A parameter is measured which is indicative of the drag of the surface during the non-perturbed measurement period to provide non-perturbed drag data. Air flow is perturbed temporarily over the surface in a perturbed measurement period so that it undergoes a transition from laminar flow to turbulent flow. The parameter is also measured during the perturbed measurement period to provide perturbed drag data. The degree of laminar flow during the non-perturbed measurement period can then be estimated in accordance with the difference between the perturbed drag data and the non-perturbed drag data. An ice protection system can be used to perturb the air flow.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2011Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: Airbus Operations LimitedInventor: Norman Wood
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Patent number: 8596585Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to an aerodynamic body with an extension in the spanwise direction, wing chord direction and wing thickness direction for coupling to a wing of an aircraft. This aerodynamic body can here be used for a leading edge flap or slat of an aircraft wing. To improve the flow characteristics, the rear side of the aerodynamic body is provided with a skin section that can be molded between a convex curvature and concave curvature.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2011Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbHInventors: Tamas Havar, Oliver Meyer, York C. Roth, Oliver Seack
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Patent number: 8538738Abstract: A prediction of whether a point on a computer-generated surface is adjacent to laminar or turbulent flow is made using a transition prediction technique. A plurality of boundary-layer properties at the point are obtained from a steady-state solution of a fluid flow in a region adjacent to the point. A plurality of instability modes are obtained, each defined by one or more mode parameters. A vector of regressor weights is obtained for the known instability growth rates in a training dataset. For each instability mode in the plurality of instability modes, a covariance vector is determined, which is the covariance of a predicted local growth rate with the known instability growth rates. Each covariance vector is used with the vector of regressor weights to determine a predicted local growth rate at the point. Based on the predicted local growth rates, an n-factor envelope at the point is determined.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2011Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: Aerion CorporationInventors: Dev Rajnarayan, Peter Sturdza