Patents by Inventor Knut Mau

Knut Mau has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8096513
    Abstract: A high-lift flap of an aircraft is provided having a device for influencing the flap vortex as well as a device for influencing the flap vortex at the lateral edge of the aerodynamic high-lift flap, which can be achieved effectively and at low cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Knut Mau, Michael Grünewald, Johann Reichenberger, Ingo Borchers, Roger Drobietz
  • Publication number: 20090084905
    Abstract: A high-lift flap of an aircraft is provided having a device for influencing the flap vortex as well as a device for influencing the flap vortex at the lateral edge of the aerodynamic high-lift flap, which can be achieved effectively and at low cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: AIRBUS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Knut Mau, Michael Grunewald, Johann Reichenberger, Ingo Borchers, Roger Drobietz
  • Patent number: 6789769
    Abstract: A slat is selectively extended from a main wing body, with a concave rear surface of the slat facing a convex forward nose surface of the wing body, with a slat gap therebetween. At least one row of flexible bristles is movably arranged relative to the lower rear edge of the slat, to flexibly protrude up into the slat air gap. At least one row of flexible bristles is movably arranged along the upper rear edge of the slat to extend rearwardly over the slat air gap and the upper surface of the main wing body. The flexible bristles are flexibly self-positioning and self-contouring due to the aerodynamic forces acting thereon, to improve the air flow conditions through the slat gap, separate the slat gap airflow from an entrapped eddy vortex on the concave rear surface of the slat, and thereby reduce the aerodynamic noise generated along the slat gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignees: Airbus Deutschland GmbH, Deutsches Zentrum fuer Luft-und Raumfahrt e. V.
    Inventors: Knut Mau, Werner Dobrzynski
  • Publication number: 20030226936
    Abstract: A slat is selectively extended from a main wing body, with a concave rear surface of the slat facing a convex forward nose surface of the wing body, with a slat gap therebetween. At least one row of flexible bristles is movably arranged relative to the lower rear edge of the slat, to flexibly protrude up into the slat air gap. At least one row of flexible bristles is movably arranged along the upper rear edge of the slat to extend rearwardly over the slat air gap and the upper surface of the main wing body. The flexible bristles are flexibly self-positioning and self-contouring due to the aerodynamic forces acting thereon, to improve the air flow conditions through the slat gap, separate the slat gap airflow from an entrapped eddy vortex on the concave rear surface of the slat, and thereby reduce the aerodynamic noise generated along the slat gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Inventors: Knut Mau, Werner Dobrzynski
  • Patent number: 6536714
    Abstract: An elastically expandable hollow displacement element is secured to the rear surface of an aircraft wing slat. When the displacement element is contracted, the slat may be retracted onto the wing's leading edge. When the slat is extended, the displacement element is expanded to protrude convexly from the slat, thereby preventing vortex formation in the slat air gap and reducing aero-acoustic noise. A pressure control system for inflating and deflating the displacement element includes a bleed air line connected from the aircraft engine bleed air system to the displacement element, a shut-off valve and a pressure control valve interposed in series in the bleed air line, and a slat contour controller connected by respective signal lines to the valves, which control the quantity and the pressure of the bleed air supplied into the displacement element, for properly inflating the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Gleine, Knut Mau, Udo Carl
  • Patent number: 6491260
    Abstract: Vortex generators are arranged on the edges of aircraft wing control surfaces to generate smaller vortices that weaken the main vortex that would otherwise be generated at these areas, and thereby reduce the aerodynamic generation of noise. Each vortex generator includes plural elongated elements in the form of rigid rods or flexible bristles protruding laterally outwardly from the respective edge of the control surface. The vortex generators are preferably arranged on the inboard and outboard edges of high lift flaps and slats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Ingo Borchers, Roger Drobietz, Michael Gruenewald, Knut Mau, Johann Reichenberger
  • Publication number: 20020074459
    Abstract: An elastically expandable hollow displacement element is secured to the rear surface of an aircraft wing slat. When the displacement element is contracted, the slat may be retracted onto the wing's leading edge. When the slat is extended, the displacement element is expanded to protrude convexly from the slat, thereby preventing vortex formation in the slat air gap and reducing aero-acoustic noise. A pressure control system for inflating and deflating the displacement element includes a bleed air line connected from the aircraft engine bleed air system to the displacement element, a shut-off valve and a pressure control valve interposed in series in the bleed air line, and a slat contour controller connected by respective signal lines to the valves, which control the quantity and the pressure of the bleed air supplied into the displacement element, for properly inflating the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventors: Wolfgang Gleine, Knut Mau, Udo Carl
  • Patent number: 6394396
    Abstract: A hollow expandable and contractible displacement element is secured onto the concave rear surface of a slat facing the leading edge of an aircraft wing. A bleed air line supplies engine bleed air into the hollow displacement element to selectively expand or contract the displacement element, which is preferably elastically expandable. When the slat is extended, the displacement element is expanded to fill-out the concave cavity on the rear surface of the slat so as to prevent formation of a vortex in the slat air gap and thereby to reduce aero-acoustic noise. When the slat is retracted, the displacement element is contracted to be conformingly accommodated in the sickle-shaped space between the slat and the leading edge of the wing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Gleine, Knut Mau, Udo Carl
  • Publication number: 20010038058
    Abstract: A hollow expandable and contractible displacement element is secured onto the concave rear surface of a slat facing the leading edge of an aircraft wing. A bleed air line supplies engine bleed air into the hollow displacement element to selectively expand or contract the displacement element, which is preferably elastically expandable. When the slat is extended, the displacement element is expanded to fill-out the concave cavity on the rear surface of the slat so as to prevent formation of a vortex in the slat air gap and thereby to reduce aero-acoustic noise. When the slat is retracted, the displacement element is contracted to be conformingly accommodated in the sickle-shaped space between the slat and the leading edge of the wing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2001
    Publication date: November 8, 2001
    Inventors: Wolfgang Gleine, Knut Mau, Udo Carl
  • Publication number: 20010032907
    Abstract: Vortex generators are arranged on the edges of aircraft wing control surfaces to generate smaller vortices that weaken the main vortex that would otherwise be generated at these areas, and thereby reduce the aerodynamic generation of noise. Each vortex generator includes plural elongated elements in the form of rigid rods or flexible bristles protruding laterally outwardly from the respective edge of the control surface. The vortex generators are preferably arranged on the inboard and outboard edges of high lift flaps and slats.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Publication date: October 25, 2001
    Inventors: Ingo Borchers, Roger Drobietz, Michael Gruenewald, Knut Mau, Johann Reichenberger