Aerodynamic Resistance Reducing Patents (Class 244/130)
  • Patent number: 8657237
    Abstract: A flying object which moves with a transonic or supersonic velocity is disclosed. The inventive flying object comprises a main body, a streaming element and a holding element. The holding element holds the streaming element distant from the main body. The streaming element is permeable for the airstream. For one embodiment the streaming element is built with a porous material. The streaming element has an outer surface with the shape of a cone or a truncated cone. The holding element holds the streaming element in an orientation with the cone opening towards the airstream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Deutsches Zentrum fur Luft-und Raumfahrt E.V.
    Inventor: Erich Schulein
  • Patent number: 8656957
    Abstract: Devices for generating streamwise vorticity in a boundary includes various forms of vortex generators. One form of a split-ramp vortex generator includes a first ramp element and a second ramp element with front ends and back ends, ramp surfaces extending between the front ends and the back ends, and vertical surfaces extending between the front ends and the back ends adjacent the ramp surfaces. A flow channel is between the first ramp element and the second ramp element. The back ends of the ramp elements have a height greater than a height of the front ends, and the front ends of the ramp elements have a width greater than a width of the back ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Holger Babinsky, Eric Loth, Sang Lee
  • Publication number: 20140048653
    Abstract: A system for affixing a gatebox to an aircraft includes a first type of gatebox operable to release material from an aircraft, a second type of gatebox operable to release material from the aircraft, a frame coupled to the aircraft operable to receive a selected one of the first type of gatebox and the second type of gatebox; and a plurality of fastenings operable to secure the selected one of the first type of gatebox and the second type of gatebox to the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Inventor: Larry D. Thompson
  • Patent number: 8651925
    Abstract: Disclosed is a ventilating air intake arrangement of an aircraft. The arrangement includes at least one air duct connected to an air intake orifice. At least one confined zone connects with the air duct and the air intake orifice, and the confined zone is configured in a manner in which outside air enters through the air intake orifice. A controllable mobile element modifies the flow of air entering the confined zone by varying a cross section of the air duct. A control unit is used to control the controllable mobile element, with the control unit being arranged so as to control the controllable mobile element to vary the cross section of the at least one air duct as a function of speed and altitude of the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventors: Alain Porte, Damien Prat
  • Patent number: 8635938
    Abstract: The technology can include a retractable rotary turret system. The system includes a base comprising two support arms. The system further includes a turret platform that is a truncated sphere having a substantially flat side and a substantially spherical side. The turret platform includes a turret support ring rotary coupled to the two support arms and a turret device isolatively coupled to the turret support ring. The turret platform is rotatable along a first dimension for deployment of the spherical side and is rotatable along the first dimension for deployment of the flat side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: William B. King, John D. Isker, Chaunchy F. Mckearn, Eric J. Griffin
  • Patent number: 8604402
    Abstract: An afterbody device for a spacecraft fitted with at least one rocket engine at the rear of the craft includes at least one movable cover element designed to take a first position, masking and reducing the vehicle's rear drag, where it prolongs the vehicle's fuselage around at least one part of a rocket engine nozzle of the vehicle and extends beyond the rear of the vehicle's fuselage, and to take a second position fully deployed, increasing the vehicle's aerodynamic drag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Astrium SAS
    Inventor: Marco Prampolini
  • Publication number: 20130320144
    Abstract: An aircraft (11) with at least an inflatable device (41) installed in a cavity (21) in its external surface which is equipped with a door (25) for opening/closing said cavity (21) is provided. The inflatable device (41), comprising a cushion (45) and a gas generator is configured for filling the cavity (21) with the cushion (45) when it is inflated with the gas supplied by said gas generator, without protruding from the cavity (21) for reducing the downstream air flow disturbances generated by said cavity (21) when the door (25) is open. The inflatable device (41) includes control means for inflating the cushion (45) in predetermined circumstances, being the door (25) open. The invention is particularly applicable to the cavities of the Main Landing Gear (31) for avoiding power losses to a Ram Air Turbine (51) placed behind it.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicants: ARIBUS SAS, AIRBUS OPERATIONS S.L.
    Inventors: Ludovic GERARD, Alejandro GUTIÉRREZ GARCÍA, Julián MALDONADO
  • Patent number: 8584987
    Abstract: Concepts and technologies are disclosed herein for shape memory alloy weapon fairings. The shape memory alloy weapon fairings are formed from a shape memory alloy and are configured to change shape in response to temperature changes. At a first temperature, the shape memory alloy weapon fairing has a first shape and at a second temperature, the shape memory alloy has a second shape. Upon deployment of a weapon including the shape memory alloy weapon fairing, the shape memory alloy weapon fairing is heated by the weapon and/or air friction. The shape memory alloy weapon fairing changes shape in response to the temperature change and provides a fairing for one or more structures of the weapon. In some implementations, the fairing covers a protuberance or other connection mechanism of the weapon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Casey Lyn Madsen, Daniel John Clingman, James H. Mabe, Frederick Theodore Calkins
  • Publication number: 20130270392
    Abstract: Interface arrangement for aircraft lifting surface between a first component and a second component made of composite materials and having an aerodynamic contour, wherein the first component comprises a primary joggled area and the second component comprises a secondary joggled area, such that the first component is joined to the second component by means of a supplementary part which accommodates in the primary joggled area and in the secondary joggled area, the secondary part being designed to maintain continuity of aerodynamic contour at the interface arrangement and to fill the gap between the first component and the second component, so the maximum thickness of the supplementary part being the depth of the primary joggled area, the depth of the primary joggled area being lower than the depth needed to accommodate the second component on the first component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventor: Airbus Operations, S.L.
  • Publication number: 20130270391
    Abstract: An air vehicle fuselage adapted for transonic operation is disclosed. The fuselage has a body and a close-out. A lower surface of the body has a waterline value that varies along a fore-aft direction of the fuselage and is equal to a first waterline value at a forward end of the close-out and rise to a second waterline value at an aft end of the close-out. The lower surface has a drag-reduction blivet that includes a first region wherein the lower surface drops to a point comprising a third waterline value that is below the first waterline value and a first inward radius and then rises over a second region disposed aft of the first region wherein a second radius that is a minimum radius of the lower surface within the second region is greater than the first radius.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Michael W. HARBECK, Brian QUAYLE
  • Patent number: 8556214
    Abstract: A panel assembly for an aircraft including a panel having an upper aerodynamic surface and a leading edge, and a hinge fitting connected to an underside of the panel, defining a hinge line for the direction of rotation of the panel. The upper surface of the leading edge has an arcuate portion centered about the hinge line, and has an upturned portion forward of the arcuate portion. The panel assembly is pivotally connected to its hinge fitting to the trailing edge of the fixed wing portion and rotatable between a first position wherein the upper surfaces of the fixed wing portion and the panel are substantially flush, and a second position wherein the panel is rotated downwardly from the first position. A seal member attached to the trailing edge of the fixed wing portion, has a lower surface which seals against the upper surface of the panel during its movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations Limited
    Inventors: Jon McAlinden, Eric Wildman
  • Publication number: 20130264425
    Abstract: A separable ejectable protective nosecone for a guided munition comprises a munition body of cylindrical shape of longitudinal axis ZZ? having a munition body front end comprising a central part intended to be directed toward a target of the munition. The nosecone comprises, at the munition body front end and covering said front end, n contiguous nosecone portions of the same shape distributed about said longitudinal axis ZZ?, one respective pyrotechnic device per nosecone portion. Each of the pyrotechnic devices comprises a pyrotechnic device body secured to the munition body, a pusher piston in contact with the respective nosecone portion. Simultaneous activation of the n pyrotechnic devices separates the edges of the nosecone portions from their respective plane of assembly in order to free the front end of the munition body. Application: Steered or guided munitions such as those of the rocket or projectile type or missiles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: TDA ARMEMENTS SAS
    Inventors: Patrick Cohe, Fabien Moreau
  • Patent number: 8550398
    Abstract: Optimization of structures subjected to hot gas streams. The invention refers to a fairing (10) for aircraft horizontal stabilizer (3) comprising a front part (11) and a rear part (12), the front part (11) covering a limited extent of the fairing (10) surface, which is the part of the fairing (10) receiving hot air stream (6) coming from the aircraft engines (4), this front part (11) being made of an anti-erosion material, the rear part (12) covering the rest of the surface of the fairing (10), this rear part (12) being made of a material resisting the aerodynamic loads existing on the fairing (10). The invention also refers to an aircraft comprising a horizontal stabilizer (3) with a fairing (10) such as the one described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations S.L.
    Inventors: José Javier Almendros Gómez, Yolanda De Gregorio Hurtado
  • Patent number: 8544176
    Abstract: A panel assembly, in which the liaison between two adjacent panels is sealed by a sealing joint, where the sealing joint comprises a central part, housed in an interstice between the two panels, and an external part, facing the exterior of the panel assembly, and capable of covering at least partially the external face of the two longitudinal edges of the panels surrounding the interstice. Also, a method for mounting a panel assembly, in which two adjacent panels are fixed to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventor: Pierre Delort
  • Patent number: 8545211
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing and installing a fairing on an aircraft. In one advantageous embodiment, a composite fairing is installed on the aircraft. A composite sheet having a form of the composite fairing is formed. A plurality of cured composite tiles is created from the composite sheet, wherein spaces are present between the plurality of composite tiles. The plurality of composite tiles is cured to form the composite fairing. The composite fairing is attached to a surface of the aircraft. The spaces between the plurality of composite tiles are filled with a flexible filler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Roy Anthony Eggink, David Scott Eberhardt
  • Patent number: 8544799
    Abstract: A VG (vortex generator) placed on a body surface (aircraft or similar), upstream of a flush air inlet, in order to generate vortexes that will sweep away the boundary layer in front of the inlet, inducing a downwash effect in the freestream airflow, such VG consisting of a wing (1) parallel to the surface of the aircraft or similar, said wing supported by a support (2) or a pair of supports (2) such as fins disposed in a divergent angle; the VG considerably improves the inlet ram recovery ratio and the mass flow ratio of the air inlet and it has an effect of reduction of the VG boundary layer thickness, thus reducing the distortion level of the flow entering the inlet as the inlet ingests more freestream air and the vortexes are not ingested by the inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Embraer S.A.
    Inventors: Luis Fernando Figueira Da Silva, Sandro Barros Ferreira, Cesar Celis Perez, Guilherme Lara Oliveira, Antonio Batista De Jesus
  • Patent number: 8528601
    Abstract: Sub-boundary-layer-scale ramp-like vortex generators that can be mounted on any surface such as the wing of an airplane, the inlet to a propulsion system, the hull of a ship, or any other surface over which a fluid moves, when the objective is to minimize drag, irreversibility losses, or other performance penalties that can occur for reasons such as boundary layer separation or other undesirable boundary layer properties. The disclosed devices acts to passively induce streamwise vortices in the boundary layer, thereby transferring high-momentum fluid toward the surface in such a way as to alter the shape of the velocity profile within the boundary layer and thereby avoid or delay separation or alter other properties of the boundary layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: The Regents of The University of Michigan
    Inventors: Werner J. A. Dahm, Andrew P. Lapsa
  • Publication number: 20130221157
    Abstract: An aircraft engine pylon aft aerodynamic fairing includes upper spars, transverse stiffening ribs, lower spars and a trailing edge where the upper spars and lower spars join together. In this fairing, a profiled structure is formed according to a profile open to the outside of the fairing. In a first end portion, the profiled structure comes to be enclosed between an end portion of the lower spars and the ends of at least one transverse stiffening ribs flush with the lower spars. This structure extends between the lower spars and the upper spars over a straight central portion inclined relative to the first end portion, and comes in a second end portion flush against a portion of the upper spars, parallel to the first end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventor: Airbus Operations SAS
  • Publication number: 20130214094
    Abstract: Provided is a nose for a supersonic flying object, which has a natural laminar flow nose shape capable of suppressing laminar-turbulent transition and drastically reducing a frictional drag. The nose for a supersonic flying object has a low resistive body shape symmetrical about a central axis as a base shape, wherein the base shape is approximately a cone shape having a linear, simple convex curve, or simple concave curve generatrix and a deformation element having a wavy shape is added to the base shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: JAPAN AEROSPACE EXPLORATION AGENCY
    Inventors: Naoko Tokugawa, Taro Kawai, Ayako Tozuka, Yoshine Ueda, Hiroaki Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 8511611
    Abstract: A panel assembly for an aircraft comprises a panel rotatably connected to a support structure and moveable between a first position and a second position. The panel has an aerodynamic surface with a slot at one edge thereof which receives a portion of the support structure when the panel is in the first position. The assembly further comprises a resilient seal member which occupies the slot when the panel is in the second position. The panel may be an aircraft flight control surface, or an aircraft landing gear bay door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations Limited
    Inventor: Paul Blades
  • Patent number: 8511612
    Abstract: A shock wave in a gas is modified by emitting energy to form an extended path in the gas; heating gas along the path to form a volume of heated gas expanding outwardly from the path; and directing a path. The volume of heated gas passes through the shock wave and modifies the shock wave. This eliminates or reduces a pressure difference between gas on opposite sides of the shock wave. Electromagnetic, microwaves and/or electric discharge can be used to heat the gas along the path. This application has uses in reducing the drag on a body passing through the gas, noise reduction, controlling amount of gas into a propulsion system, and steering a body through the gas. An apparatus is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Inventor: Kevin Kremeyer
  • Publication number: 20130193270
    Abstract: An array of aerodynamic riblets is formed with a surface layer for adhering to an aerodynamic surface and a plurality of riblet tips having a parabolic cross section extending from the surface layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: The Boeing Company
  • Patent number: 8490914
    Abstract: An aircraft noise reduction apparatus includes an aircraft landing gear assembly and a noise reduction fairing 12. The landing gear assembly includes a landing gear 10 arranged to be moveable between a stowed position and a fully deployed position. The noise reduction fairing 12 may include a wrap-around fairing which, when the landing gear 10 is in its fully deployed position, wraps around the landing gear 10 and extends along the majority of the length of a landing gear leg 11. A landing gear bay door assembly 16, 17 including at least one door may also be provided. The fairing 12 may have a recess 24 for accommodating one of landing gear bay doors when the door 16 is in its fully open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations Limited
    Inventors: Leung Choi Chow, Philip Campbell, Christopher Wood, Andrew John Dyer
  • Patent number: 8485472
    Abstract: A sealing (1) for a fairing (2) against transverse airflow between a wing (3) and a fuselage (4) of an aircraft. Inner and outer sides (7, 8) of the sealing (1) are provided with lips biased against the fairing (2) and the wing (3). At least two gaskets (5, 6) are positioned between respective ends of the sides (7, 8), thus sealing the fairing (2) and the wing (3) against longitudinal airflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Suchy, Anton Lewold
  • Patent number: 8485467
    Abstract: An aircraft chaff dispenser includes an elongated hollow housing intended to be fixed to the structure of the aircraft so as to be oriented in the longitudinal direction of the aircraft. The housing has a pair of side walls and the front of each side wall is provided with a pair of lateral air intakes each having a circular through-hole with a diameter d and a fence located behind the hole in the longitudinal direction, or in the direction of travel, of the aircraft at a distance 1 from the center of the hole and having a shape in the form of a horizontally lying V with its vertex directed away from the hole. The diameter d of the hole is between 8 and 12 mm. The ratio h/1 between the height h of the fence at the vertex of the V and the distance 1 is between 0.8 and 1, while the ratio h/d between the height h and the diameter d is between 1.5 and 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Alenia Aeronautica S.p.A.
    Inventor: Riccardo Gemma
  • Patent number: 8469313
    Abstract: Air vehicles and associated aerodynamic structures are provided which include ridged solar panels to both reduce the drag and increase the solar energy harvested by the solar panel. The air vehicle may include an airframe and a solar panel carried by the airframe and defining an exterior surface thereof. The solar panel may include a plurality of ridged structures extending in a lengthwise direction. The ridged structures may be arranged such that a majority of the airflow over the exterior surface flows in the lengthwise direction. The plurality of ridged structures may include a plurality of lengthwise extending projections spaced about by respective valleys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Jian Dong
  • Patent number: 8453974
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to flow channels comprising a channel length having a first portion approximately parallel to the maximum waterline thickness location of a body and at least a second portion non-parallel thereto, a leading edge at a first end of the channel length, the leading edge separated from a trailing edge by a free edge along the channel length, the free edge projecting a predetermined height from an attaching edge attachable to at least a portion of the surface of the body, and at least a portion of the free edge being arcuate. A method comprises providing the fluid channel attachable to a body, modifying resultant vortices and reducing or minimizing shock formations or separation regions of the freestream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Gregory G. Thumann
  • Patent number: 8450669
    Abstract: A projectile body intended to evolve in a fluid, such body equipped with at least two radially deployable control surfaces, such control surfaces being accommodated prior to their deployment in housings made in the body, such that the housings communicate at their intersection point, each housing being blocked by sealing device preventing any fluid from the exterior of the projectile body from passing through the housings when the control surfaces are deployed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Nexter Munitions
    Inventors: Richard Roy, Simon Huguenin
  • Patent number: 8444092
    Abstract: Metal sheets and plates having friction-reducing textured surfaces and methods of manufacturing these metal sheets and plates are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, there is provided a transportation vessel that includes at least one metal product having at least one surface that is substantially grooved, wherein the substantially grooved surface forms a riblet topography, the riblet topography including a multiplicity of adjacent permanently rolled longitudinal riblets running along at least a part of the surface, and wherein the riblet topography is coated with at least one coating sufficiently designed and applied to preserve the riblet topography. In an embodiment, the multiplicity of adjacent permanently rolled longitudinal riblets results in a friction-reducing textured surface. In an embodiment, metal product is used in fabricating at least a portion of an aircraft. In an embodiment, metal product is used in fabricating at least a portion of a rotor blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Ming Li, James M. Marinelli, Jiantao Liu, Paul E. Magnusen, Simon Sheu, Markus B. Heinimann, John Liu, Luis Fanor Vega
  • Patent number: 8434723
    Abstract: An asymmetric tetrahedral vortex generator that provides for control of three-dimensional flow separation over an underlying surface by bringing high momentum outer region flow to the wall of the structure using the generated vortex. The energized near-wall flow remains attached to the structure surface significantly further downstream. The device produces a swirling flow with one stream-wise rotation direction which migrates span-wise. When optimized, the device produces very low base drag on structures by keeping flow attached on the leeside surface thereof. This device can: on hydraulic structures, prevent local scour, deflect debris, and reduce drag; improve heat transfer between a flow and an adjacent surface, i.e., heat exchanger or an air conditioner; reduce drag, flow separation, and associated acoustic noise on airfoils, hydrofoils, cars, boats, submarines, rotors, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Applied University Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger L. Simpson, K. Todd Lowe, Quinn Q. Tian
  • Patent number: 8424809
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing dynamic control to a vehicle in a dynamic fluid. The systems and methods of the invention relate to one or more morphable surfaces that can be controlled by a controller and an actuator in an active manner to provide asperities that interact with a fluid moving across the morphable surfaces. By controlling the size, shape and location of the asperities, one can exert control authority over the motion of the vehicle relative to the fluid, including a speed, a direction and an attitude of the vehicle. Examples of materials that provide suitable morphable surfaces include ionic polymer metal composites and shape memory polymers, both of which types of material are commercially available. Useful morphable surface systems have been examined and are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventor: Beverley J. McKeon
  • Patent number: 8413928
    Abstract: An array of aerodynamic riblets is formed with a surface layer for adhering to an aerodynamic surface and a plurality of riblet tips having a parabolic cross section extending from the surface layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Diane C. Rawlings, James D. McLean, Jr., Mary J. Mathews
  • Publication number: 20130062469
    Abstract: The invention concerns a surface entity for the reduction of the air resistance of an aviation vehicle, in particular an aircraft. In accordance with the invention the surface entity is formed with at least one metal wire arrangement, in particular with a metal mesh and/or a composite mesh, which can be arranged in at least some sections in the region of at least one surface of the aviation vehicle immersed in the flow, in particular can be adhesively bonded and/or clamped onto the latter, wherein the metal wire arrangement has a ribbed structure with a multiplicity of ribs running essentially parallel to one another. As a consequence of the multiplicity of ribs running parallel to the flow direction, the arrangement of which can be compared with the structure of the sharkskin of known art, there ensues a reduction of the flow resistance of the surface on or over which the air flows of between 3% and 10%, as a result of which a significant fuel saving potential ensues in flight operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Metin Cengiz, Freerk Syassen
  • Publication number: 20130062460
    Abstract: Aircraft engineering applicable for improving aerodynamic quality of helicopters, airplanes, including big airbuses and amphibian airplanes, aerodynamic ground-effect and air-cushion vehicles, by reducing contact area between the external fuselage tail section surface and a high-speed air flow, area of contact is reduced by increasing surface area of holes in the fuselage tail section. To increase lifting force without increasing pressure resistance, the aerodynamic channel bottom is convex upwards, for example, curved upwards according to the shape of the airfoil convex side. The upper hole for the aerodynamic channel in the fuselage skin may be located along the fin middle portion divided lengthwise by the fin to right and left, in two. The aerodynamic channel is made through and may be open. The upper front edge aligned hole of the aerodynamic channel has a greater surface area than the rear hole aligned with the fuselage end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventors: Gennady Trofimovich KRESHCHISHINA, Larisa Trofimovna KRESHCHISHINA
  • Patent number: 8393578
    Abstract: An apparatus may comprise a first skin panel having a first surface, a second skin panel having a second surface, a first flange located at an end of the first skin panel, a second flange located at an end of the second skin panel, and a strip having a third surface. The first skin panel may be located adjacent to the second skin panel such that the first flange and the second flange form a channel. The strip may be bonded in the channel. Fluid flow over the third surface of the strip, the first surface of the first skin panel, and the second surface of the second skin panel may have a desired state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Pradip Girish Parikh, Henry John Koppelman, Todd Matthew Harris, Frederick M. Swanstrom
  • Publication number: 20130056584
    Abstract: A method for mounting an aircraft component, which in the mounted state is movable between a first and a second operating position and is taken up in its first operating position in a mounting area, comprises the measuring of the mounting area, in order to obtain data characteristic of the shape and/or the dimensions of the mounting area. The data characteristic of the shape and/or the dimensions of the mounting area are projected onto the aircraft component arranged in its second operating position. Finally, the aircraft component arranged in its second operating position is adjusted with reference to the projection of the data characteristic of the shape and/or the dimensions of the mounting area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Frank DIERENFELDT, Gerd Stahl
  • Patent number: 8387912
    Abstract: A lifting foil having a lower trailing course having a margins and an upper leading course margins connected in a manner to enhance lift of the foil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Inventor: Ronald G. Houck, II
  • Patent number: 8376280
    Abstract: In a method for operating an infrared countermeasure optical device on an aircraft, the improvement comprises the steps of positioning a deflector upstream from the optical device to allow said optical device to operate in high-speed freestream flows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Q. Gendron, Christopher L. Chew, Michael R. Mendenhall
  • Patent number: 8376281
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for improving the fuel range of an aircraft are provided. The aircraft includes a fuselage with a front windshield, and an external skin providing a top cover for a cockpit of the aircraft. The apparatus includes an aerodynamic fairing secured adjacent the windshield and enclosing the external skin covering the cockpit for a reduction in an abrupt change in area encountered by air flowing along the length of the fuselage. An enclosure is formed between the aerodynamic fairing and the external skin in which a fuel bladder, configured with a reticulated polyurethane foam insert, may be disposed for added fuel capacity of the aircraft. The method includes steps of providing an aerodynamic fairing configured to balance the flow of fluid over the aircraft during flight, and securing the aerodynamic fairing atop the aircraft and adjacent the front windshield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Inventor: Calvin Burgess
  • Publication number: 20130001362
    Abstract: An arrangement of aerodynamic auxiliary surfaces is configured for being arranged on the underside of an aircraft and furthermore includes a longitudinal axis and at least one aerodynamic auxiliary surface, wherein the aerodynamic auxiliary surface is laterally offset referred to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the aerodynamic auxiliary surface is configured for generating vortices when it is subjected to an oncoming air flow. This makes it possible to compensate vortices caused by the shape of the aircraft such that the directional stability of the aircraft can be improved and the aerodynamic drag may be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Peter Kreuzer, Sven Schaber, Iris Goldhahn
  • Patent number: 8342452
    Abstract: A covering structural element is adapted to close an elongate gap provided on an aerodynamic surface of an aircraft. Such an element has a strip-shaped body made of metal material, including a fixing portion, adapted to be fixed along one of the longitudinal borders of the elongate gap; a sliding portion adapted to urge in a sliding manner on the other of the longitudinal borders of the strip-shaped gap; and a connection portion, connecting the sliding portion to the fixing portion, the thickness of which is so sized as to allow, in use, a controlled elastic bending of the structural covering element. The covering structural element has a profile so sized as to be tapered at the transition from the fixing portion to the connection portion and from the sliding portion to the connection portion, the covering structural element having a smooth surface on the side intended to face away from the elongate gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Alenia Aeronautica S.p.A.
    Inventors: Franco Candela, Giuseppe Migliozzi
  • Publication number: 20120312923
    Abstract: Systems and methods for enhancing operations of an aircraft may include a plasma generator, a sensor, and a controller. The plasma generator may be positioned on an exterior of the aircraft such that it can provide localized heating thereon. The sensor may be configured to sense and transmit information regarding a transonic flight condition such as speed to the controller. The controller may be configured to activate the plasma generator in response to information from the sensor, so as to mitigate a transonic shock wave through localized heating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Ming CHANG, Sergey MACHERET, Joseph VADYAK
  • Publication number: 20120312930
    Abstract: The invention relates to a body (10) having at least one surface (12) over which a fluid (30) can flow, said surface having a global course that defines a main flow direction (14) over the surface (12) at least partially has a structure for reducing a flow resistance of the body (10), the structure having at least one recess (16.2 . . . 16.3) provided with a substantially circle-segment-shaped cross-section for inducing a fluid eddy (26.2) . . . 26.3). The body is characterized in that the structure has at least one lead-in section (18.2 . . . 18.3), which is angled from the main flow direction in the direction of the recess (16.2 . . . 16.3) and which is arranged upstream of the recess (16.2 . . . 16.3) in the main flow direction, for leading a fluid flow (24) into the recess (16.2 . . . 16.3). By means of the structure, a fluid eddy (26.2 . . . 26.3) can be induced within the recess (16.2 . . . 16.3) and can be localized substantially within the recess (16.2 . . . 16.3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventor: Marco Feusi
  • Patent number: 8323775
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a layer (1) for reducing air resistance of a forward-moving object, which layer comprises a pattern of surfaces (2) rising in a first direction R, and—channels (3) running between the surfaces in a second direction at an angle to the first direction. A flow is brought about on a micro-scale in the channels which damps the occurrence of turbulence in the main flow over the surface, thereby reducing air resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Kick Off Ltd.
    Inventor: Jacobus Lambertus van Merkstoijn
  • Patent number: 8315847
    Abstract: A wave form tile in the form of a natural wave, is provided to replace traditionally smooth surfaces to aid in more efficient shedding of a fluid medium. The wave form tile is also applied to proportionally spherical fractal surfaces defined for the surface of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Inventor: Eric Thomas Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8302912
    Abstract: A shock bump (10) comprising a diverging nose (20) and a converging tail. The tail has at least one plan-form contour line with a pair of concave opposite sides (22, 23). The shock bump provides an improved shape with relatively low drag. Furthermore, the concave shape of the tail tends to promote the development of longitudinal vortices which can reduce shock induced buffet at certain operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Airbus Operations Limited
    Inventor: Norman Wood
  • Patent number: 8292236
    Abstract: A seal for sealing a gap between a first (252) and a second (207) component of an aircraft flight surface which has a first seal body (222) having a first sealing portion (246) arranged to seal against the first component, wherein the first seal body is movably mounted to the second component so as to seal at least part of the gap during relative movement of the first and second components. A seal is also provided with components movable relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Airbus Operations Limited
    Inventor: Eric Wildman
  • Patent number: 8286916
    Abstract: An aircraft provided with a wall having an exterior surface in contact with air flows external to the aircraft, an internal cavity in the aircraft, recessed relative to the exterior surface of the wall, at least one mobile trapdoor, which in closed position prolongs the exterior surface in such a way as to shut off the cavity from the exterior, and which in open position projects relative to the exterior surface in such a way as to open the cavity to the exterior, and provided with at least one mobile aerodynamic deflector, whose movement is slaved to that of the at least one trapdoor, the at least one aerodynamic deflector projecting relative to the exterior surface in a zone thereof situated outside the zone covered by the at least one trapdoor when the at least one trapdoor is open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventors: Bernard Pauly, Bruno Chauveau
  • Patent number: 8282042
    Abstract: An apparatus may comprise a first skin panel having a first surface, a second skin panel having a second surface, a first flange located at an end of the first skin panel, a second flange located at an end of the second skin panel, and a strip having a third surface. The first skin panel may be located adjacent to the second skin panel such that the first flange and the second flange form a channel. The strip may be bonded in the channel. Fluid flow over the third surface of the strip, the first surface of the first skin panel, and the second surface of the second skin panel may have a desired state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Pradip Girish Parikh, Henry John Koppelman, Todd Matthew Harris, Frederick M. Swanstrom
  • Patent number: RE44313
    Abstract: Slotted cruise airfoil technology allows production of a substantially unswept wing that achieves the same cruise speed as today's conventional jet airplanes with higher sweep. This technology allows the wing boundary layer to negotiate a strong recovery gradient closer to the wing trailing edge. The result is about a cruise speed of Mach=0.78, but with a straight wing. It also means that for the same lift, the super velocities over the top of the wing can be lower. With very low sweep and this type of cruise pressure distribution, natural laminar flow will be obtained. In addition, heat is transferred from the leading edge of the wing and of the main flap to increase the extent of the natural laminar flow. The slotted cruise wing airfoil allows modularization of the wing and the body for a family of airplanes. The unsweeping of the wing significantly changes the manufacturing processes, reduces manufacturing costs and flow time from detail part fabrication to airplane delivery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Robert H. Kelley-Wickemeyer, Peter Z. Anast, James Douglas McLean, Hilda Seidel