Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Troutmann Sanders LLP
  • Leading edge channel for enhancement of lift/drag ratio and reduction of sonic boom
    Patent number: 6464171
    Abstract: The leading edges of wings, nose assemblies, tails, fins, struts, and other components of aircraft, atmospheric entry vehicles and missiles in which the leading edge is blunted and the flight Mach number is supersonic, are provided with passive airflow channel, resulting in significantly reduced wave drag and total drag, significantly increased lift-to-drag ratio, and reduced sonic boom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corp.
    Inventor: Stephen M. Ruffin