Aerodynamic Resistance Reducing Patents (Class 244/130)
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Patent number: 12214864Abstract: An aircraft portion with reduced drag includes a wing-fuselage junction fairing at the interface between the wing and the fuselage. The junction fairing has an outer surface including two lateral portions each covering the root of a respective wing, and a lower portion connecting the side portions to each other and extending under the fuselage. The flow of air around the junction fairing during the movement of the aircraft generates at least two vortices induced on both sides, respectively, of a median longitudinal plane. The aircraft portion also includes at least two vortex generating devices extending from the lower portion of the outer surface of the junction fairing on both sides, respectively, of the median longitudinal plane.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2023Date of Patent: February 4, 2025Assignee: DASSAULT AVIATIONInventors: Xavier Bernard, Zdenek Johan, Aurélien Merlet
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Patent number: 12163940Abstract: A sensor system is disclosed that includes a plurality of sensors, a deployment system for deploying the sensors, a control and charging system for receiving sensor data and optionally charging the batteries within the sensors, and one or more algorithms employed by the sensor system for processing, analyzing, and otherwise using data received by the plurality of sensors.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2020Date of Patent: December 10, 2024Assignee: Design West Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Ryan Hur, Ramesh Palanisamy, Berwin Banares, Maria E. Bauer, So Nguyen, Sam De La Torre, Xavier Ollat
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Patent number: 12129793Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for manufacturing an air intake lip comprising: the arrangement of a blank facing a three-dimensional forming surface of a die of a hydroforming tool, the forming of an air intake lip preform by hydroforming the blank on the three-dimensional surface of the die, the air intake lip preform having in section a U-shape, the outer wall of the air intake lip comprising at least one hollow housing with an inturned edge and a bottom, the housing having a shape corresponding to the shape of the at least one opening cavity, the cutting of an opening in each hollow housing keeping at least the inturned edge so as to obtain an air intake lip comprising at least one opening having an edge integrally formed with the outer wall of the lip.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2021Date of Patent: October 29, 2024Assignee: SAFRAN NACELLESInventors: Fabienne Quenu, Vincent Dutot, Bertrand Pierre Martin Leroyer, François Taillard
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Patent number: 12049905Abstract: A surface-processed structure includes a blocks arranged side by side in a first direction parallel to a target surface. The blocks are three-dimensional objects arranged on the target surface. Each of the blocks includes an inclined surface extending from upstream to downstream in the first direction with a distance from the target surface gradually increasing. The inclined surfaces of the blocks are arranged side by side on one line extending in the first direction. Each of the blocks includes a fine grooves provided on the inclined surface. The fine grooves are spaced apart from each other, are arranged side by side in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and extend from upstream to downstream in the first direction. The fine grooves extend at a constant depth from an upstream end portion to a downstream end portion of the inclined surface in the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2022Date of Patent: July 30, 2024Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yui Kumon, Masaru Misumi
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Patent number: 12017763Abstract: A vertical take-off and landing aircraft includes a ducted rotary wing. The ducted rotary wing includes a duct and a rotary wing. The duct runs through a body from an upper surface to a lower surface thereof. The rotary wing is provided inside the duct and includes a hub and a blade configured to rotate about the hub. The blade includes a tip inlet, a trailing-edge outlet, and a trailing-edge flow path. The tip inlet is provided on a tip surface of the blade. The trailing-edge outlet is provided at a trailing edge that is an edge on a rear side in a rotation direction of the blade. The trailing-edge flow path allows the tip inlet and the trailing-edge outlet to be in communication with each other.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2021Date of Patent: June 25, 2024Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATIONInventor: Yuki Matsui
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Patent number: 12012981Abstract: A coating apparatus for the reduction of aerodynamic noise and vibrations. The coating apparatus is configured to include a group of fibrillar structures, wherein each fibrillar structure is configured with a diverging tip so that the coating reduces the size of and shifts downstream, a separation bubble, and modulates large-scale recirculating motion. Each fibrillar structure can be configured as a cylindrical micropillar. The group of fibrillar structures can be configured as a group of uniformly distributed cylindrical micropillars (e.g., one or more micropillar arrays). The surface coating is effective in reducing the separation bubble and displacing the separation bubble downstream. The coating facilitates a reduction in noise (e.g., aerodynamic noise) and vibrations due to the reduction in the size of the separation bubble.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2020Date of Patent: June 18, 2024Assignee: TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY SYSTEMInventors: Burak Aksak, Luciano Castillo, Humberto Bocanegra Evans
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Patent number: 11993321Abstract: An airflow adjusting apparatus to be provided in a vehicle includes a first airflow generator and a second airflow generator. The vehicle includes a front wheel and a rear wheel that are disposed in a vehicle longitudinal direction to be partly protruded from a bottom surface of a vehicle body of the vehicle downward in a vertical direction of the vehicle body. The first airflow generator is provided on the bottom surface of the vehicle body and behind the front wheel, and configured to generate a first airflow moving backward of the vehicle. The second airflow generator is provided on the bottom surface of the vehicle body and behind the first airflow generator, and configured to generate a second airflow that deflects, vehicle-widthwise inward, an airflow flowing in from a side on which the first airflow generator is disposed.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2021Date of Patent: May 28, 2024Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATIONInventors: Naoto Watanabe, Yusaku Dogahira
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Patent number: 11975832Abstract: A flow body for an aircraft, in particular for a wing leading edge device, is proposed, the flow body having a curved front skin having a leading edge and at least one trailing-edge component coupled with at least one spanwise edge of the front skin, wherein the trailing-edge component comprises a constant cross-sectional profile that tapers in a chordwise direction to form two spanwise flow surfaces that end in a trailing edge, and wherein the trailing-edge component is designed for providing a flush transition between the front skin and at least one of the two spanwise flow surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2020Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBHInventor: Marcus Erban
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Patent number: 11964765Abstract: A leading edge structure (1) for a flow control system of an aircraft (101) including a double-walled leading edge panel (3) surrounding a plenum (7). The leading edge panel (3) has a first side portion (11) extending to a first attachment end (17), a second side portion (13) extending to a second attachment end (19), an inner wall element (21) facing the plenum (7), an outer wall element (23) for contact with an ambient flow (25), a core assembly (97). The outer wall element (23) includes micro pores (31) forming a fluid connection between the core assembly (97) and the ambient flow (25). The inner wall element (21) includes openings (33) forming a fluid connection between the core assembly (97) and the plenum (7). The outer wall element (23) extends from the first attachment end (17) to the second attachment end (19).Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2022Date of Patent: April 23, 2024Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbHInventors: Ivano Bertolini, Stefano Giaquinto, Sebastian Welz, Nina Düren, Jeff Wee Hong Yap, Nicole Jordan, Frank Nielsen
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Patent number: 11932375Abstract: There are provided examples of an enhanced cargo capacity aircraft, converted from a datum aircraft. The enhanced cargo capacity aircraft includes the datum aircraft and a cargo module. The datum aircraft includes at least a fuselage having a dorsal fuselage part. The cargo module is affixed to the datum aircraft, thereby converting the datum aircraft to the enhanced cargo capacity aircraft. The datum aircraft is designed for aerodynamic flight capability absent the cargo module. The enhanced cargo capacity aircraft is capable of aerodynamic flight. The cargo module provides enhanced cargo capacity to the datum aircraft. The cargo module includes an external aerodynamic fairing defining an internal cargo volume, and is configured for being conformally affixed in overlying relationship with respect to the dorsal fuselage part.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2021Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: ISRAEL AEROSPACE INDUSTRIES LTD.Inventors: Uri Pinhasi, Rami Skladman, Gali Oz, Igor Golodriga, Meital Milo, Shay Arzi, Rami Zaphir, Michele Esther Hasid
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Patent number: 11932317Abstract: A system and method for reducing an amount of aerodynamic drag generated within a rear area of a vehicle includes positioning or manufacturing a plurality of devices in a selected pattern on at an exterior surface of the vehicle or a surface of an accessory attached to the vehicle, where each of the plurality of devices includes a flat surface and one or more non-flat surfaces, and the plurality of devices cause an airstream traveling along the side of the vehicle to curve behind the vehicle and provide a push in the forward direction.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2021Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: FORE TRANSIT INC.Inventors: Ryan Matthew Logsdon, Radin Rahimzadeh
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Patent number: 11920617Abstract: Fluid systems and methods for addressing fluid separation are described. An example fluid system includes a main body and a fluid pressurizer. The main body has a first portion, a second portion, an injection opening, a suction opening, a channel that extends from the suction opening to the injection opening, and a side wall. The first portion has a first axis that extends along the side wall. The second portion has a second axis that extends along the side wall at an angle relative to the first axis such that when fluid flows over the main body flow separation is defined adjacent to the second portion. The injection opening is disposed at a first location relative to said flow separation. The suction opening is disposed at a second location relative to said flow separation. The channel extends from the suction opening to the injection opening.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2020Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: COFLOW JET, LLCInventor: Gecheng Zha
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Patent number: 11913378Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly for a turbomachine, comprising: —a nacelle comprising an inlet lip which defines an air inlet, and—a device for modifying the geometry of the air inlet, comprising: —a first spout, and—a second spout, the first spout and the second spout being translatably movable in relation the nacelle between: —a first configuration, in which the first spout forms the inlet lip and the second spout extends inside the nacelle, and—a second configuration, in which the first spout extends away from the inlet lip, and the second spout forms the inlet lip so as to define an air flow channel between a downstream surface of the first spout and an upstream surface of the second spout.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2020Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignees: INSTITUT SUPERIEUR DE L AERONAUTIQUE ET DE L ESPACE, SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINESInventors: Nicolas Jérôme Jean Tantot, Xavier Carbonneau, Philippe Gérard Chanez, Nicolas Garcia Rosa, Alejandro Martin Pleguezuelo, Nicolas Joseph Sirvin
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Patent number: 11905983Abstract: A fluid control system includes a dielectric-barrier discharge (DBD) device, and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to obtain a streamwise length scale of a fluid flowing over a surface. The processing circuitry is also configured to obtain a convective time scale of the fluid flowing over the surface. The processing circuitry is also configured to operate the DBD device, based on the streamwise length scale and the convective time scale, to adjust a flow property of the fluid.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2021Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: Deep Science, LLCInventors: Brian C. Holloway, David William Wine
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Patent number: 11891185Abstract: A nacelle for a propulsion assembly, the nacelle including a front internal structure having a framework formed of longitudinal beams and including removable, dismountable or retractable panels which are provided to facilitate the access for maintenance to the parts of the motor shrouded by these panels.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2021Date of Patent: February 6, 2024Assignee: SAFRAN NACELLESInventors: Patrick André Boileau, Jean-Philippe Joret, Vincent Jean-François Peyron, Gina Ferrier
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Patent number: 11878808Abstract: An assembly is provided for an aircraft propulsion system. This aircraft propulsion system assembly includes a nacelle. The nacelle includes an inlet structure and a cowl. The inlet structure extends axially in a first direction along a centerline to an inlet structure aft end. The inlet structure includes a clip and a hoist bracket integrated with the clip. The clip is at the inlet structure aft end. The clip includes a locator receptacle. The hoist bracket is configured to provide a structural lift point for the inlet structure during assembly and/or disassembly of the nacelle. The cowl extends axially in a second direction along the centerline to a cowl forward end. The cowl includes a locator at the cowl forward end. The locator includes a protrusion received by the locator receptacle.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2023Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Assignee: Rohr, Inc.Inventor: Pratap Mallampati
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Patent number: 11840286Abstract: An airflow adjusting apparatus to be provided in a vehicle includes a flap and an airflow generator. The vehicle includes a wheel disposed to be partly protruded downward from a vehicle body of the vehicle. The flap is protruded, in front of the wheel, downward from the vehicle body. The airflow generator is configured to generate an airflow, and provided in an underneath of the vehicle body. The airflow generator is configured to generate an airflow. The airflow moves backward and downward of the vehicle and the airflow moves obliquely relative to a horizontal plane.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2021Date of Patent: December 12, 2023Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATIONInventors: Naoto Watanabe, Yusaku Dogahira
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Patent number: 11780509Abstract: A modular aerodynamic system for a vehicle includes multiple nozzles that generate airsheets. The airflow from the nozzles may be controlled separately. Thus, the nozzles collectively enable granular control of the overall air velocity profile around (e.g., behind) the vehicle. The airsheet configuration may allow the system to control the wake behind the vehicle for various purposes, such as drag reduction, stabilization, and/or breaking. The overall air velocity profile may increase the back pressure of the vehicle, reducing energy consumption. The system may also move the center of pressure and changing the dynamic response of the vehicle to other external forces. These changes may be implemented dynamically in response to aerodynamic/dynamic changes.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2020Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: Aeromutable CorporationInventor: David Esteban Manosalvas-Kjono
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Patent number: 11718386Abstract: A cupola fairing (250) for reducing drag and increasing lift on an aircraft fuselage (210) and wings (220). The fairing includes a housing length extending along a longitudinal axis, and a variable width extending normal to the longitudinal axis. The housing width is variable and defined by a plurality of cross-sectional areas of the cupola fairing. The fairing has a substantially smooth exterior surface that is curved along the length and the variable width of the housing. The housing surface has its longitudinal and transverse curvatures being defined by metrics corresponding to a reference wing root chord of the aircraft (200), a cross-sectional area of the fuselage, a percentage of the cross-sectional area to be covered by the fairing, and positioning of the cupola fairing on the crown portion of the fuselage (210). The housing has a lower surface configured to conform to a shape of the crown at which the cupola fairing (250) is positioned.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2018Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: Aero Design Labs LLCInventor: Eric A. Ahlstrom
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Patent number: 11691679Abstract: An airflow adjusting apparatus to be provided in a vehicle includes a flap and an airflow generator. The vehicle includes a wheel disposed to be partly protruded downward from a vehicle body of the vehicle. The flap is protruded, in front of the wheel, downward from the vehicle body. The airflow generator is provided in an underneath of the vehicle body and vehicle-widthwise inwardly from the wheel. The airflow generator is configured to generate an airflow vehicle-widthwise inward, and backward of the vehicle. The airflow moves obliquely relative to a vehicle longitudinal direction when the vehicle travels forward.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2021Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATIONInventors: Naoto Watanabe, Yusaku Dogahira
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Patent number: 11679870Abstract: A fairing assembly is provided about a duct outlet port, which is not parallel to an exterior surface of a vehicle, so as to turn fluid flow exiting the duct outlet port in a direction of surface fluid flow. The fairing assembly includes an upstream vane fairing to orient the surface flow with the angled duct flow, a downstream Coanda fairing to turn transverse duct flow in the direction of the surface flow, and a pair of vortex generators each of which is positioned at an opposing lateral side of the Coanda fairing and angled towards each other to organize the combined fluid flow downstream of the duct outlet port to thereby minimize recirculation. This fairing assembly about the duct outlet port enhances organized mixing of the duct and surface flows, and thereby reduces duct and surface recirculation, duct restriction, and overall vehicle drag.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2018Date of Patent: June 20, 2023Assignee: Aero Design Labs LLCInventors: Eric A. Ahlstrom, Lee Sanders
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Patent number: 11673617Abstract: Various embodiments of an airfoil and machines with airfoils are disclosed. The airfoils include a thicker leading airfoil portion and a thinner trailing airfoil portion. In one embodiment, the leading airfoil portion is formed by bending a body of the airfoil back toward itself. In another embodiment, the leading airfoil portion has a solid geometry and includes two elliptic surfaces. To prevent detachment of airflow, the leading airfoil portion includes at least two arc portions or surfaces that act to direct the airflow down to the trailing airfoil portion in a manner that stabilizes vortexes that may form in the region of changing thickness.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2022Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: ESS 2 TECH, LLCInventors: Michael Suk, David A. Shoffler
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Patent number: 11603214Abstract: A method for calibrating a target gas sensor inside a drone comprises receiving air flow at the target sensor due to least one of diverted propeller air flow or diverted air flow caused by drone flight, measuring a concentration of the target gas, receiving equivalent air flow at a sensor of at least one reference gas having known atmospheric concentration positioned in or on the drone, measuring a concentration of the at least one reference gas, and calibrating the measured concentration of the target gas based on the measured concentration of the at least one reference gas.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2020Date of Patent: March 14, 2023Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANYInventors: Brian Parrott, Fadl Abdellatif
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Patent number: 11603145Abstract: An active drag-reduction system has first 22 and second 24 fluid outlets located on a vehicle 10 adjacent to a low pressure (drag) region 12, wherein fluid ejected from the second fluid outlet 24 is at a higher pressure/ejection velocity than from the first fluid outlet 22. Turbulent and/or low pressure regions adjacent to vehicles are not uniform, but rather have a varying intensity. For instance, the centre of a region may have a lower pressure and/or more turbulent nature than the periphery of the region. The system injects relatively higher pressure air or relatively higher speed air into the relatively lower pressure/more turbulent part of the low pressure/turbulent region, and relatively lower pressure air or relatively lower speed air into the relatively higher pressure/less turbulent part of the low pressure/turbulent region, compared to each other.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2021Date of Patent: March 14, 2023Assignee: OGAB LTD.Inventors: Osama Elogab, Hatem Elogab
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Patent number: 11535360Abstract: Some variations provide a leading-edge heat pipe comprising: (a) an envelope fabricated from a shell material, wherein the envelope includes at least one edge with a radius of curvature of less than 3 mm, and wherein the envelope includes, or is in thermal communication with, at least one heat-rejection surface; (b) a porous wick fabricated from a ceramic or metallic wick material, wherein the porous wick is configured within a first portion of the interior cavity, wherein at least a portion of the porous wick is adjacent to the inner surface, and wherein the porous wick has a bimodal pore distribution comprising an average capillary-pore size from 0.2 microns to 200 microns and an average high-flow pore size from 100 microns to 2 millimeters (the average high-flow pore size is greater than the average capillary-pore size); and (c) a phase-change heat-transfer material contained within the porous wick.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2020Date of Patent: December 27, 2022Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLCInventors: Christopher S. Roper, Mark R. O'Masta, Tobias A. Schaedler, Jacob M. Hundley, Tiffany Stewart
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Patent number: 11525365Abstract: A front fan turbomachine includes an annular separating wall having a slat for separating an air flow between a primary flow and a secondary flow, the slat having a leading edge; inlet guide vanes (IGV) for guiding the primary flow and outlet guide vanes (OGV) blades for guiding the secondary flow. The leading edge of the slat has a serrated profile having a succession of teeth and depressions.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2019Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINESInventors: Fernando Gea Aguilera, Matthieu Fiack, Mathieu Simon Paul Gruber
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Patent number: 11518499Abstract: An aircraft defines a longitudinal direction and includes a fuselage extending between a forward end and an aft end along the longitudinal direction of the aircraft. An aft engine is mounted to the aft end of the fuselage. The aft engine further includes a nacelle including a forward section. An airflow duct extends at least partially through the nacelle of the aft engine and defines an outlet on the forward section of the nacelle for providing an airflow to the forward section of the nacelle.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2020Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Kishore Ramakrishnan, Trevor Howard Wood
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Patent number: 11466709Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein to implement transverse momentum injection at low frequencies to directly modify large-scale eddies in a turbulent boundary layer on a surface of an object. A set of transverse momentum injection actuators may be positioned on the surface of the object to affect large-scale eddies in the turbulent boundary layer. The system may include a controller to selectively actuate the transverse momentum injection actuators with an actuation pattern to affect the large-scale eddies to modify the drag of the fluid flow on the surface. In various embodiments, the transverse momentum injection actuators may be operated at frequencies less than 10,000 Hertz.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2022Date of Patent: October 11, 2022Assignee: Deep Science, LLCInventors: Alexander J. Smits, Ivan Marusic, David Wine, Brian Holloway
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Patent number: 11447238Abstract: A wing of an aircraft that includes a wing leading edge, a wing trailing edge, and a wing surface defined by a wing upper surface and a wing lower surface is described herein. The wing extends from the wing root to the wingtip, and the wingtip has a wingtip chord. A winglet extends from the wingtip and has a winglet leading edge, a winglet trailing edge, a winglet inboard surface, a winglet outboard surface, a winglet root having a winglet root chord, and a winglet tip. A flow fence is disposed on the wing surface inboard from the winglet and overlapping with the winglet. The flow fence is adapted to delay and/or prevent airflow separation on the winglet inboard surface at high angle of sideslip, increasing lateral stability and linearizing aircraft behavior at high angle of sideslip.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2018Date of Patent: September 20, 2022Assignee: AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.Inventors: Scott Rewerts, Yuichi Kawamura, Kui Ou, Michimasa Fujino, Kazuhisa Mahiko
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Patent number: 11427346Abstract: Cable retainer apparatuses for retaining a cable, and aircraft and methods including such apparatuses are provided. In one example, a cable retainer for retaining a cable proximate a surface of an aircraft includes a cable retainer. The cable retainer is configured to retain the cable. A fairing is disposed about the cable retainer and is configured to couple to the aircraft to support the cable retainer adjacent to the surface of the aircraft.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2019Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Assignee: Gulfstream Aerospace CorporationInventors: Michael Berceli, Paul Bradford, Aaron Willson, Patrick King, Robert Norris, Patrick Carver, David Bryk
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Patent number: 11427303Abstract: Noise-abatement systems provide noise abatement to a wing assembly provided with a forward edge slat and include an elongate shield element which is unconnected but positionable adjacent to a lower trailing edge of the edge slat along a lengthwise extent thereof, and a support web having a distal end fixed to the shield element and a proximal end capable of fixation to an interior cove surface of the edge slat adjacent an upper trailing edge thereof. The support web will therefore allow movement of the shield element towards and away from the lower trailing edge of the edge slat between an operative position wherein the shield element is positioned adjacent to the lower trailing edge of the edge slat along the lengthwise extent thereof and an inoperative position wherein the edge slat is spaced from the trailing edge of the edge slat and positioned in the cove region thereof, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2017Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Assignees: EMBRAER S.A., USP—UNIVERSIDADE DE SÃO PAULOInventors: Danillo Cafaldo Dos Reis, Leandro Guilherme Crenite Simões, Micael Gianini Valle Do Carmo, Eduardo Lobão Capucho Coelho, Leandro Souza De Moura Lima, Fernando Martini Catalano, Cecil Wagner Skaleski, Francisco Keller Klug, Marcus Felipe Hori Ochi
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Patent number: 11396367Abstract: Vortex reduction apparatus for use with airfoils are disclosed. An example vortex reduction apparatus includes a housing to couple to a tip of an airfoil. The housing defines a volute fluid flow passageway between an inlet and an outlet. The volute fluid flow passageway is structured to induce a rotational fluid flow in a first rotational direction opposite a second rotational direction of a shed vortex induced at the tip of the airfoil during flight.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2019Date of Patent: July 26, 2022Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventor: Eric W. Walliser
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Patent number: 11305862Abstract: A joint joining an aircraft wing to an aircraft body employs a splice panel that is engaged in surface engagement with a skin panel on a side of the aircraft body and is engaged in surface engagement with a leg panel extending upwardly from the aircraft wing. A plurality of fasteners extend through the splice panel and the leg panel and extend through the splice panel and the skin panel. The plurality of fasteners attach the splice panel to the skin panel and attach the splice panel to the leg panel and thereby attach the skin panel to the leg panel. After fastener holes have been drilled through the splice panel and the leg panel to attach the splice panel to the leg panel, the splice panel can be removed from the leg panel. This provides easy access to the fastener holes drilled through the leg panel for deburring of the fastener holes.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2019Date of Patent: April 19, 2022Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Mark R. McLaughlin, Jenny Young, Drew-Daniel T. Keefe, Charles B. Lockin, David H. Leibov
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Patent number: 11300097Abstract: A wind turbine blade apparatus at least includes a wind turbine blade body, wherein a serration portion is disposed on at least on a part of a trailing edge of the wind turbine blade body, the serration portion having a saw-teeth shape where a mountain portion and a valley portion are arranged alternately in a blade longitudinal direction, and wherein a chord-directional cross section of the wind turbine blade body along a chord direction is formed to have an airfoil shape at any position in a region from the mountain portion to the valley portion.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2020Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventors: Shoeji Nakaye, Kentaro Hayashi, Atsushi Yuge, Kai Karikomi, Shinsuke Nishimura
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Patent number: 11279468Abstract: An aircraft surface cover is provided. The aircraft surface cover includes a cover member that is configured to be removably secured to an aircraft structure. The cover member includes an exterior surface that has a microtextured surface including microtexture ribs that are configured to improve aerodynamic performance of the aircraft structure.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2019Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Michelle Crivella, Matthew Berden
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Patent number: 11254411Abstract: An airfoil-shaped body having a variable outer shape, comprising: a first skin, defining a suction surface, a second skin, defining a pressure surface and connected to the first skin at least at a leading edge and/or a trailing edge of the airfoil-shaped body, at least one elongate stiffening beam, arranged inside a cavity of the airfoil-shaped body and secured to at least one of said first and second skins, the stiffening beam including at least a first and a second beam section arranged one after the other and a joining member, arranged between end portions of the beam sections and connected thereto, said joining member being adapted to allow relative movement between the beam sections by an elastic deformation; and an actuator that is operationally associated with said elongate stiffening beam, wherein, upon operating the actuator, the first beam section is moved with respect to the second beam section, or vice versa, changing the orientation of the beam sections with respect to each other, which causes aType: GrantFiled: March 16, 2018Date of Patent: February 22, 2022Assignee: FOKKER AEROSTRUCTURES B.V.Inventor: Adrianus Marinus Franciscus Bastiaansen
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Patent number: 11235855Abstract: An aerodynamic structure comprising an aerodynamic surface. The aerodynamic surface is formed by a first part of the aerodynamic structure; a second part of the aerodynamic structure; and a sealed gap between the first part and the second part. The sealed gap contains a sealant material and a support material.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2018Date of Patent: February 1, 2022Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITEDInventors: David Liversage, Darren Crew
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Patent number: 11225909Abstract: A combustor and a gas turbine having the same which can improve a degree of mixing of fuel and air and achieve a reduction in combustion vibration are provided. The combustor may include a fuel nozzle disposed on a nozzle tube, a center body disposed at a center of the fuel nozzle and connected to a fuel nozzle base, a plurality of swirlers circumferentially spaced apart from each other between the center body and the fuel nozzle, and a plurality of fuel pegs spaced apart from each other around the center body to inject fuel into air flowing in the fuel nozzle, wherein the plurality of fuel pegs are disposed behind the swirlers on the center body based on a combustion chamber of the combustor.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2020Date of Patent: January 18, 2022Inventor: Dongsik Han
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Patent number: 11174009Abstract: An aircraft landing gear arrangement with an airbag attached inside a landing gear bay is disclosed. The airbag has a deflated configuration and a first inflated configuration, wherein, when the landing gear is in the extended position and when the airbag is in the first inflated configuration, the airbag closes off the landing gear bay. The airbag may substantially close off the landing gear bay. The airbag may comprise an external surface, wherein the external surface of the airbag closes off at least a significant proportion of the landing gear bay and lies substantially flush with an external surface of the aircraft body. An aircraft, methods of operating a landing gear arrangement, and methods of operating an aircraft are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2019Date of Patent: November 16, 2021Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITEDInventors: Henry Edwards, Keith Macgregor
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Patent number: 11174004Abstract: Aircraft nacelles having adjustable chines are described. An example apparatus includes a multi-segment chine having a first segment and a second segment. The first segment is fixedly coupled to a nacelle. The second segment is rotatable relative to the first segment about an axis of rotation. The axis of rotation is substantially perpendicular to a local area of an outer surface of the nacelle.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2019Date of Patent: November 16, 2021Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Thomas K. Dodt, Adam M. Clark
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Patent number: 11148782Abstract: A strake for a turbine engine nacelle may comprise a forward portion coupled to a turbine engine nacelle inlet, and an aft portion coupled to a turbine engine nacelle fan cowl, wherein the aft portion is configured to move between a first position and a second position, and the aft portion engages the forward portion in response to the aft portion moving to the second position to secure the fan cowl with respect to the inlet.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2019Date of Patent: October 19, 2021Assignee: Rohr, Inc.Inventor: Saravanakumar Vijayakumar
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Patent number: 11085471Abstract: Systems and method for active control of stationary vortices for aerodynamic structures are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method for active control of vortices over a solid surface includes: generating vortices proximate to the solid surface; sensing locations of vortices by printed skin sensors; and maintaining the vortices in their fixed spanwise positions with respect to the solid surface by actuation of printed skin actuators.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2017Date of Patent: August 10, 2021Assignees: Quest Integrated, LLC, University of WashingtonInventors: Giovanni Nino, Robert E. Breidenthal, Aline Cotel
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Patent number: 11072413Abstract: A method of generating a pressure wave proximate an airflow surface and altering airflow to promote a localized lowering of skin friction over the airflow surface is described herein. A series of pressure waves may be configured to create a virtual riblet to control turbulent vortices in a boundary layer adjacent to the airflow surface creating a virtual riblet. The pressure waves may be configured to prevent disruption of the flow of air relative to at least one of a step or a gap associated with the airflow surface. The pressure wave generating system may be comprised of at least one of a thermoacoustic material, a piezoelectric material and a semiconductor material, and a microelectric circuit.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2018Date of Patent: July 27, 2021Assignee: Rohr, Inc.Inventors: Teresa M. Kruckenberg, Vijay V. Pujar, Robert L. Braden
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Patent number: 11059565Abstract: Airflow-dependent deployable fences for aircraft wings are described. An example apparatus includes a fence coupled to a wing of an aircraft. The fence is movable relative to the wing between a stowed position in which a panel of the fence extends along a skin of the wing, and a deployed position in which the panel extends at an upward angle away from the skin. The panel is configured to impede a spanwise airflow along the wing when the fence is in the deployed position. The fence is configured to move from the stowed position to the deployed position in response to an aerodynamic force exerted on a deployment vane of the fence.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2018Date of Patent: July 13, 2021Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Brian Tillotson, Chris Kettering
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Patent number: 11040769Abstract: A leading edge structure (1) for a flow control system of an aircraft, including a double-walled leading edge panel (3) that surrounds a plenum (7), wherein the leading edge panel (3) includes an inner wall element (21) facing the plenum (7) and an outer wall element (23) in contact with the ambient flow (25), wherein between the inner and outer wall elements (21, 23) the leading edge panel (3) includes elongate stiffeners (27) spaced apart from one another, so that between each pair of adjacent stiffeners (27) a hollow chamber (29) is formed between the inner and outer wall elements (21, 23), wherein the outer wall element (23) includes micro pores (31) forming a fluid connection between the hollow chambers (29) and an ambient flow (25), and wherein the inner wall element (21) includes openings (33) forming a fluid connection between the hollow chambers (29) and the plenum (7).Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2018Date of Patent: June 22, 2021Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbHInventors: Geza Schrauf, Christian Heck
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Patent number: 11014651Abstract: Enhanced high-speed aircraft performance, including increased lift/drag ratio, from localized high-temperature speed of sound increases, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative method for operating a vehicle includes, while a lifting body of the vehicle is immersed in a gas, heating the gas in a target volume sufficiently to increase the speed of sound in the gas relative to the speed of sound in the gas outside the target volume. The target volume can be positioned adjacent to, forward of, and/or along a pressure surface of the lifting body.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2017Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Assignee: Electric Sky Holdings, Inc.Inventor: Jeffrey Greason
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Patent number: 10995780Abstract: An assembly for arrangement to the surface of an aerodynamic profile comprises an array of actuators, which are designed as piezo actuators and plasma actuators.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2017Date of Patent: May 4, 2021Assignees: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH, Airbus Operations GmbHInventors: Ralf Caspari, Robert Weichwald, Emanuel Ermann, Gerd Heller, Detlev Konigorski, Stefan Schnäubelt, Nicole Jordan
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Patent number: 10986883Abstract: A low drag garment is made from a fabric having a textured region with a texture height H, wherein the texture height H increases substantially continuously with the surface angle ? in said textured region. Optionally, the substantially continuous increase in texture height H comprises a plurality of incremental increases in texture height, and wherein each incremental increase in texture height is less than 200 ?m.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2016Date of Patent: April 27, 2021Inventor: Simon Smart
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Patent number: 10967979Abstract: An aircraft with rear mounted engines, comprising a vertical tail plane and a horizontal tail plane, in which the engines are mounted on top of the horizontal tail plane, such that the horizontal tail plane comprises an inner fixed part attached to the fuselage of the aircraft, the inner fixed part comprising an elevator, and two outer movable parts, each one of the outer movable parts being located at each side end of the horizontal tail plane which is furthest away from the fuselage of the aircraft, such that both the inner fixed part and the outer movable parts are at least partially subjected to a flow coming from the engines when the engines are in use.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2016Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: Airbus Operations S.L.Inventor: Jose Luis Martinez Munoz
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Patent number: 10960978Abstract: An aircraft capable of vertical takeoff and landing, stationary flight and forward flight includes a closed wing that provides lift whenever the aircraft is in forward flight, a fuselage at least partially disposed within a perimeter of the closed wing, and one or more spokes coupling the closed wing to the fuselage. One or more engines or motors are disposed within or attached to the closed wing, fuselage or spokes. Three or more propellers are proximate to a leading edge of the closed wing or the one or more spokes, distributed along the closed wing or the one or more spokes, and operably connected to the one or more engines or motors. The propellers provide lift whenever the aircraft is in vertical takeoff and landing and stationary flight, and provide thrust whenever the aircraft is in forward flight.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2017Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC.Inventors: Carlos Alexander Fenny, Rohn Lee Olson, Andrew James Zahasky