Patents by Inventor Neal R. Van Devender

Neal R. Van Devender 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: 4245804
    Abstract: A wing extension or tip fin is disclosed wherein the tip fin is joined to an aircraft wing to form a nonplanar wing configuration which minimizes induced drag during both low speed and high speed operation of an aircraft. The tip fin which is of generally trapezoidal geometry, extends streamwise along the end of the aircraft wing and is canted to project upwardly and outwardly therefrom. Additionally, the tip fin is twisted to toe-out relative to the freestream direction with the angle of twist varying along the lower portion of the tip fin length. Viewed from the side, the tip fin has a sweep angle at least equal to the sweep angle of the aircraft wings with the leading edge of the tip fin intersecting the wing tip chord at a position aft of the wing leading edge. A strake which extends along the upper surface of the wing from the wing leading edge to the tip fin leading edge, forms a smooth transition between the wing and tip fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1981
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Kichio K. Ishimitsu, Neal R. Van Devender