Patents by Inventor Richard R. Tracy

Richard R. Tracy 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: 8448893
    Abstract: Aircraft configured to operate at Mach numbers from above 0.80 and up to 1.2 with wing sweep angles defined by the wing outboard leading edge of less than 35 degrees, and incorporating calculated values of the ratio of outboard wing panel aspect ratio raised to an exponent of 0.78, divided by the ratio of maximum thickness divided by chord (t/c), greater than about 45, characterized by one of the following: a) where maximum thickness divided by chord (t/c) is at a location approximately 70% of the distance outboard from the attaching aircraft body to the wing tip, or b) where maximum thickness divided by chord (t/c) is the average value of (t/c)'s located between approximately 50% of the distance outboard from the attaching aircraft body to the wing tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Aerion Corporation
    Inventors: Richard R. Tracy, James D. Chase
  • Patent number: 8317128
    Abstract: On an aircraft designed for maximum efficient cruise speed in the range from about Mach 0.8 to about Mach 1.2, and having fuselage and wings with: (a) less than about 25 degrees of leading edge sweep, in combination with airfoil thickness to chord ratios between about 3% and about 8%, as an average along the wing semi-span outboard from the zone of substantial fuselage influence, and (b) wing leading edge sweep between about 20 degrees and about 35 degrees, in combination with airfoil thickness to chord ratios equal to or below about 3% as an average along the semi-span outboard from the zone of substantial fuselage influence to the wing tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Aerion Corporation
    Inventors: Richard R. Tracy, James D. Chase
  • Patent number: 8272594
    Abstract: A method of providing an aircraft having a fuselage and a wing configured for extensive laminar flow at design cruise conditions, the method characterized by a) providing wing biconvex-type airfoils having values of thickness, chord and shape along the wing span which provide substantially optimal aircraft range at design cruise conditions, considering the influences of wing drag and wing weight; b) providing wing leading edges, which are configured to effect laminar flow; c) providing fuselage and wing contours which, in combination, produce reduced total wave drag and produce extensive areas of laminar boundary layer flow on the wing; and d) providing wing sweep angularity that facilitates provision of a), b) and c).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Aerion Corporation
    Inventors: Richard R. Tracy, Peter Sturdza, James D. Chase
  • Publication number: 20120043430
    Abstract: On an aircraft designed for maximum efficient cruise speed in the range from about Mach 0.8 to about Mach 1.2, and having fuselage and wings with: (a) less than about 25 degrees of leading edge sweep, in combination with airfoil thickness to chord ratios between about 3% and about 8%, as an average along the wing semi-span outboard from the zone of substantial fuselage influence, and (b) wing leading edge sweep between about 20 degrees and about 35 degrees, in combination with airfoil thickness to chord ratios equal to or below about 3% as an average along the semi-span outboard from the zone of substantial fuselage influence to the wing tip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Inventors: Richard R. Tracy, James D. Chase
  • Publication number: 20120043429
    Abstract: Aircraft configured to operate at Mach numbers from above 0.80 and up to 1.2 with wing sweep angles defined by the wing outboard leading edge of less than 35 degrees, and incorporating calculated values of the ratio of outboard wing panel aspect ratio raised to an exponent of 0.78, divided by the ratio of maximum thickness divided by chord (t/c), greater than about 45, characterized by one of the following: a) where maximum thickness divided by chord (t/c) is at a location approximately 70% of the distance outboard from the attaching aircraft body to the wing tip, or b) where maximum thickness divided by chord (t/c) is the average value of (t/c)'s located between approximately 50% of the distance outboard from the attaching aircraft body to the wing tip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Inventors: Richard R. Tracy, James D. Chase
  • Publication number: 20110095137
    Abstract: A method of providing an aircraft having a fuselage and a wing configured for extensive laminar flow at design cruise conditions, the method characterized by a) providing wing biconvex-type airfoils having values of thickness, chord and shape along the wing span which provide substantially optimal aircraft range at design cruise conditions, considering the influences of wing drag and wing weight; b) providing wing leading edges, which are configured to effect laminar flow; c) providing fuselage and wing contours which, in combination, produce reduced total wave drag and produce extensive areas of laminar boundary layer flow on the wing; and d) providing wing sweep angularity that facilitates provision of a), b) and c).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Inventors: Richard R. Tracy, Peter Sturdza, James D. Chase
  • Patent number: 7004428
    Abstract: An aircraft includes a fuselage, thin supersonic wings on the fuselage, there being trailing edge flaps carried by the wings, the flaps configured to provide flap deflection to simultaneously control wing twist and to reduce drag, when the aircraft is operated at subsonic flight conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Aerion Corporation
    Inventors: Richard R. Tracy, James D. Chase
  • Patent number: 7000870
    Abstract: In combination, an aircraft wing and fuselage, comprising the wing having camber at or near the wing leading edge which has blunted sharpness and low sweep angle, and the fuselage having indentation along the wing side thereof, and lengthwise of the fuselage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Aerion Corporation
    Inventors: Richard R. Tracy, James D. Chase, Ilan Kroo
  • Patent number: 6857599
    Abstract: An aircraft, comprising a fuselage having an elongated, narrow forward portion, a main wing carried by a rear portion of the fuselage, a canard wing carried by said fuselage forward portion and having swept back leading and trailing edges tapering toward a tip or tips, the canard wing having less lifting surface than the main wing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Aerion Corporation
    Inventors: Richard R. Tracy, James D. Chase, Ilan Kroo
  • Publication number: 20040140395
    Abstract: An aircraft, comprising a fuselage having an elongated, narrow forward portion, a main wing carried by a rear portion of the fuselage, a canard wing carried by said fuselage forward portion and having swept back leading and trailing edges tapering toward a tip or tips, the canard wing having less lifting surface than the main wing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventors: Richard R. Tracy, James D. Chase, Ilan Kroo
  • Publication number: 20040129837
    Abstract: In combination, an aircraft wing and fuselage, comprising the wing having camber at or near the wing leading edge which has blunted sharpness and low sweep angle, and the fuselage having indentation along the wing side thereof, and lengthwise of the fuselage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Richard R. Tracy, James D. Chase, Ilan Kroo
  • Patent number: 6149101
    Abstract: A wing in combination with a fuselage having a body which is elongated in the direction of flight, the wing having physical parameters [comprising a wing having a relatively unswept and sharp leading edge, smooth convex chordwise contour over a majority of its surface from the leading edge, and a thickness to chord ratio of about 2% or less as a spanwise average, beyond a spanwise distance from the fuselage centerline of not more than about C/2.beta. on each side of the body, where .beta.=.sqroot.M.sup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Inventor: Richard R. Tracy
  • Patent number: 5897076
    Abstract: A supersonic flight aircraft having a longitudinally forwardly extending fuselage having an axis in the direction of flight, and a wing, and which comprises the wing extending generally laterally relative to the axis, and having a leading edge angled forward or rearwardly relative to a normal to the axis at an angle , and the wing having leading edge sharpness defined by upper and lower wing surfaces, which taper toward the leading edge to define an angle .delta., closely proximate the leading edge at all spanwise locations; the angle and sharpness .delta.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Inventor: Richard R. Tracy
  • Patent number: 5518204
    Abstract: A supersonic flight aircraft having a longitudinally forwardly extending axis in the direction of flight, and a wing, comprising a wing extending generally laterally relative to the axis, and having a leading edge angled forward or rearwardly relative to a normal to the axis at an angle .lambda., and the wing having a maximum thickness t; the angle .lambda. and thickness t characterized that in that in supersonic flight conditions, the forwardmost shock wave produced in association with the wing extends generally along or rearwardly of the leading edge, whereby laminar airflow conditions are maintained over the leading edge and adjacent the surface of the wing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Inventor: Richard R. Tracy
  • Patent number: 5322242
    Abstract: A supersonic flight aircraft having a longitudinally forwardly extending axis in the direction of flight, and a wing, comprising a wing extending generally laterally relative to the axis, and having a leading edge angled forward or rearwardly relative to a normal to the axis at an angle .OMEGA., and the wing having a maximum thickness t; the angle .OMEGA. and thickness t characterized that in that in supersonic flight conditions, the forwardmost shock wave produced in association with the wing extends generally along or rearwardly of the leading edge, whereby laminar airflow conditions are maintained over the leading edge and adjacent the surface of the wing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1994
    Inventor: Richard R. Tracy