Abstract: An apparatus for aircraft anti-icing includes a nozzle body, at least one nozzle extending from the nozzle body, and at least one vane disposed in at least one of the nozzle(s), the at least one vane configured to impart rotational movement of a hot gas moving through the nozzle(s).

Abstract: An aircraft assembly with a hot air exhaust outlet. The aircraft assembly has an assembly surface over which a hot-air exhaust flow from the hot-air exhaust outlet is exhausted. The aircraft assembly also has a vortex generator with a flow surface. The flow surface lies in an air flow over the vortex generator. The flow surface is arranged to interrupt the hot-air exhaust flow and generates a flow vortex to cool the air flow over the assembly surface.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods including an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV); one or more inner wing panels of the UAV; one or more outer wing panels of the UAV; at least one inboard propeller attached to at least one engine disposed on the one or more inner wing panels; at least one tip propeller attached to at least one engine disposed on the one or more outer wing panels; at least one microcontroller configured to: determine an angular position of the at least one inboard propeller; and send a signal to halt rotation of the at least one inboard propeller such that the at least one inboard propeller is held in an attitude that provides for clearance of the propeller blade to the ground upon landing.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a slat end seal for use with a slat of an aircraft. The slat end seal includes a shell having a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a sidewall extending from the first surface. The shell includes a plurality of through holes in the first surface of the shell. The slat end seal also includes a lattice structure coupled to the first surface of the shell and configured to compress in response to a force applied to the second surface of the shell. The lattice structure includes a plurality of supports defining a plurality of interstitial voids between the plurality of supports. The lattice structure also includes at least one through hole aligned with at least one through hole of the plurality of through holes in the first surface of the shell.

Abstract: A fuel efficient aircraft propulsion system comprises a wingtip mounted ducted pusher fan with convergent backwash and a skewed conical engine nacelle. The system both mitigates wingtip vortex drag and converts a portion of vortex energy into propulsion force and lift force. The forward-tapering nacelle skews both downward and inward, so the lower nacelle surface is flush with the lower wing surface and the inboard nacelle surface does not alter flow over the upper wing surface. This firstly preserves lift at the outboard wing end. Secondly, air displacement by the nacelle accelerates flow only on the outboard and upper nacelle surfaces, and because the nacelle occupies the core of the nascent wingtip vortex, rotational air velocity is greatest on the upper nacelle surface. The resultant pressure drop on the upper nacelle surface contributes to aircraft lift. And because the nacelle surface tapers forward, this pressure drop does not exert backward-acting drag on the aircraft.

Abstract: An article for mixing ambient fluid with a motive fluid comprises a conduit, and thermally conductive concentric inner and outer nozzles extending from the conduit. The conduit is configured to supply the motive fluid to the outer nozzle and the ambient fluid to the inner nozzle. The inner nozzle extends further downstream from the conduit than the outer nozzle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a missile or aircraft with a hierarchical, modular, closed-loop flow control system and more particularly to aircraft or missile with a flow control system for enhanced aerodynamic control, maneuverability and stabilization. The present invention further relates to a method of operating the flow control system. Various embodiments of the flow control system of the present invention involve different elements including flow sensors, active flow control device or activatable flow effectors and logic devices with closed loop control architecture. The sensors of these various embodiments are used to estimate or determine flow conditions on the various surfaces of a missile or aircraft.

Abstract: There is described an airfoil combination for aircraft turbofan, designed to save fuel in aircraft operation, which is composed by two wings (5) and two supports (6) articulated or not, for each of the wings (5). These two wings (5) are located inside the turbofan, internally to the outer fairing (3) of the turbofan and externally to the other components of the turbofan. In one of the embodiments, the two wings may have high-lifting devices, such as flaps. The two wings use the “blown” air at great speed by the fan (1) to generate a pre-determined lifting effect pursuant to the flight phases and the operating regimes of the turbofans to compensate totally or partially the weight of the turbofan itself, reducing the lift effort to be generated by the aircraft wings.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wing for an aircraft. The wing includes a main wing section extending from an inboard end to an outboard end along a lateral axis of the wing, the inboard end for connecting the main wing section to the aircraft. The wing also includes a wing tip having a proximal end and a distal end, the wing tip being rotatably mounted at the proximal end to the outboard end of the main wing section and arranged to freely rotate about a wing tip rotational centre with respect to the main wing section.

Abstract: A plasma-actuated vortex generator arrangement includes a plurality of spaced-apart vortex generators, and a plasma actuator distributed amongst the plurality of vortex generators.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method to break down, destabilize, or destroy an in flight wake vortex shed from an aircraft's wing. The wingtip has a winglet mounted to an extremity of the wing, and means for actuating displacement of the winglet relative to the wing. The winglet is displaced from a stationary position, in which the in flight wake vortex is stable, to a continuous moving condition, in which the winglet is displaced to a secondary temporary stationary position, remote from the initial stationary position, and having any angle relative to a plane extending through a vertical, longitudinal, or lateral axis of the aircraft to alter the winglet's angle of attack, and persisting in the moving condition as long as required to break down, destabilize or destroy the in flight wake vortex. The invention includes a wingtip arrangement for use in the method and an aircraft including the wingtip arrangement.

Abstract: A device for the generation of aerodynamic vortices to be arranged on the spanwise side edge of a wing, or a regulating flap adjustably arranged on the latter, which in each case have a chordwise direction and a spanwise direction, wherein the device is formed from one aerofoil component or from a plurality of aerofoil components, wherein the at least one aerofoil component is designed as a part that can be moved relative to the wing or regulating flap in its spanwise direction, wherein the device for vortex generation has an actuation device for the retraction and extension of the aerofoil components into a recess, and also a drive device to operate the actuation device. A regulating flap of a wing, and also a wing, with such a device for the generation of aerodynamic vortices, and a wing, which has at least two aerofoil segments at its side edge situated at the spanwise end.

Abstract: Noise generated by a gas turbine engine 6 supported by a pylon 8 on a wing 2 of an aircraft is reduced by influencing a shear layer generated between the free-stream flowfield and flow from the engine 6. The shear layer is influenced by means of one or more winglets 18, 20, 22 which interact with the free-stream flowfield to deflect the shear layer 14 downwardly, to avoid interaction with a flap 4 on the wing 2, or to reduce the strength of the shear layer 14.

Abstract: An aerodynamic element attachable to a primary wing to extend in a longitudinal direction at an angle to a spanwise direction of the primary wing. The aerodynamic element includes a downstream end having at least two flow flaps arranged next to each other and oriented in the longitudinal direction of the aerodynamic element.

Abstract: Systems and methods for tracing aircraft vortices. One method includes directing a tracer from a first aircraft into a vortical flow generated by the first aircraft. The method can further include detecting a characteristic corresponding to the presence of the tracer directed into the vortical flow. Based at least in part on the detected characteristic, the method can include directing the flight of the first aircraft, or a second aircraft following the first aircraft, or both.

Abstract: Active systems and methods for controlling aircraft vortices are disclosed. An apparatus in accordance with one embodiment is directed to an aircraft system that includes an airfoil having first and second oppositely facing flow surfaces and a tip. The system can further include a vortex dissipation device carried by the airfoil, with the vortex dissipation device including an orifice positioned to direct a flow of fluid outwardly from the tip, an actuator operatively coupled to the fluid flow orifice and positioned to change a manner in which flow is directed outwardly from the tip, and a controller operatively coupled to the actuator to direct the operation of the actuator. The vortex dissipation device can be activated to accelerate the rate at which vortices (e.g., wing tip vortices) dissipate after they are generated, for example, by alternately pulsing flow inwardly and outwardly through the fluid flow orifice.

Abstract: This invention discloses a wingtip (10) arrangement for an aircraft wing comprising at least one winglet (12) movably mountable to an extremity (16) of the wing (14); and actuating means (18) connected to the winglet for actuating in use displacement of the winglet relative to the wing thereby altering the winglet's angle of attack and displacing same from an initial stationary position in which an in flight wake vortex shed from the wing is stable to a moving condition, in which the winglet is displaced to any selectable angle relative to a plane extending through a vertical, longitudinal, or lateral axis of the aircraft, to destabilize said in flight wake vortex. The invention extends to an aircraft including the wingtip arrangement and a method of reducing in flight wake vortices in which the wingtip arrangement is actuated and displaced to destabilize an in flight wake vortex shed from an extremity of an aircraft's wing.

Abstract: A smart vortex generator including a main body, disposed on a body surface, such as a main wing of aircraft, making a boundary to a flow of fluid, and at least a part of which includes a shape memory alloy. A form of the main body, depending on a temperature increment/decrement of the fluid, changes between (1) a first form capable of suppressing a flow separation by a vortex generation and (2) a second form capable of suppressing a turbulent flow, by a phenomenon that the shape memory alloy undergoes a phase transformation between a high-temperature-side stable phase and a low-temperature-side stable phase. The smart vortex generator demonstrates a multi-directional characteristic depending on a temperature change, such that no energy supply from the outside is required. The structure is simple, and repairs and maintenance as well as installation to existing wings are easy.

Abstract: A system and method for docking various types of aircraft is disclosed. An aerodynamic lifting structure docking mechanism for docking two or more aircraft is provided comprising an aerodynamic lifting structure. The aerodynamic lifting structure includes a first and second airflow adjustment mechanism. The aerodynamic lifting structure further includes a first hard docking mechanism, and a second hard docking mechanism, and still further includes a soft docking mechanism. The first and second airflow adjustment mechanisms are configured to substantially remove any aerodynamic lifting structure vortices around each of the aerodynamic lifting structure tip areas. The soft docking mechanism is configured to soft dock a first aerodynamic lifting structure with a second aerodynamic lifting structure. The first hard docking mechanism is configured to hard dock with the second hard docking mechanism, thereby temporarily attaching the first aerodynamic lifting structure with the second aerodynamic lifting structure.

Abstract: An airfoil includes a plasma actuation surface integrated onto the airfoil surface. On the airfoil, the plasma actuation surface is configured to provide high-frequency plasma actuation along the plasma actuation surface such that excitation of the vortex flow or shear flow mitigates the vortex flow or the shear flow associated with the airfoil.

Abstract: In order to establish laminar flow on the attachment line (18) of an aerofoil body, a duct entrance (27) is provided on the leading edge of the aerofoil body for receiving spanwise boundary layer flow BLt. The exit (23) of the duct is located spanwise downstream of the duct entrance (27). The boundary layer flow BLt enters the duct (23) and is discharged downstream. The height of the duct entrance (27) above the leading edge of the aerofoil body is greater than the depth of the boundary layer BLt and thus a fresh laminar boundary layer is established on the outer surface (20) of the duct which propagates spanwise along the surface to rejoin the leading edge of the aerofoil body.

Abstract: A system and method for docking various types of aircraft is disclosed. An aerodynamic lifting structure docking mechanism for docking two or more aircraft is provided comprising an aerodynamic lifting structure. The aerodynamic lifting structure includes a first and second airflow adjustment mechanism. The aerodynamic lifting structure further includes a first hard docking mechanism, and a second hard docking mechanism, and still further includes a soft docking mechanism. The first and second airflow adjustment mechanisms are configured to substantially remove any aerodynamic lifting structure vortices around each of the aerodynamic lifting structure tip areas. The soft docking mechanism is configured to soft dock a first aerodynamic lifting structure with a second aerodynamic lifting structure. The first hard docking mechanism is configured to hard dock with the second hard docking mechanism, thereby temporarily attaching the first aerodynamic lifting structure with the second aerodynamic lifting structure.

Abstract: An embodiment of an aircraft wing includes a main wing section and a variable incidence wing tip. The main wing section is adapted to connect to an aircraft fuselage at a first angle of incidence. The variable incidence wing tip is connected to the main wing section so that the variable incidence wing tip is rotatable to angles of incidence that are different from the first angle of incidence. An embodiment of a method for operating an aircraft includes generating a control signal based on an indication of a desired angle of incidence of a variable incidence wing tip, conveying the control signal to a wing tip rotation mechanism, and rotating the variable incidence wing tip in accordance with the control signal, so that the angle of incidence of the variable incidence wing tip is different from an angle of incidence of the main wing section.

Abstract: A system and method for docking various types of aircraft is disclosed. An aerodynamic lifting structure docking mechanism for docking two or more aircraft is provided comprising an aerodynamic lifting structure. The aerodynamic lifting structure includes a first and second airflow adjustment mechanism. The aerodynamic lifting structure further includes a first hard docking mechanism, and a second hard docking mechanism, and still further includes a soft docking mechanism. The first and second airflow adjustment mechanisms are configured to substantially remove any aerodynamic lifting structure vortices around each of the aerodynamic lifting structure tip areas. The soft docking mechanism is configured to soft dock a first aerodynamic lifting structure with a second aerodynamic lifting structure. The first hard docking mechanism is configured to hard dock with the second hard docking mechanism, thereby temporarily attaching the first aerodynamic lifting structure with the second aerodynamic lifting structure.

Abstract: A system and a method according to the invention reduce wake turbulence of an aircraft in that a component affixed to the extremity of the wing of an aircraft disturbs the rolling action of the air in the region of the outer wing by periodic hingeing movements.

Abstract: Active systems and methods for controlling aircraft vortices are disclosed. An apparatus in accordance with one embodiment is directed to an aircraft system that includes an airfoil having first and second oppositely facing flow surfaces and a tip. The system can further include a vortex dissipation device carried by the airfoil, with the vortex dissipation device including an orifice positioned to direct a flow of fluid outwardly from the tip, an actuator operatively coupled to the fluid flow orifice and positioned to change a manner in which flow is directed outwardly from the tip, and a controller operatively coupled to the actuator to direct the operation of the actuator. The vortex dissipation device can be activated to accelerate the rate at which vortices (e.g., wing tip vortices) dissipate after they are generated, for example, by alternately pulsing flow inwardly and outwardly through the fluid flow orifice.

Abstract: A device for the generation of aerodynamic vortices to be arranged on the spanwise side edge of a wing, or a regulating flap adjustably arranged on the latter, which in each case have a chordwise direction and a spanwise direction, wherein the device is formed from one aerofoil component or from a plurality of aerofoil components, wherein the at least one aerofoil component is designed as a part that can be moved relative to the wing or regulating flap in its spanwise direction, wherein the device for vortex generation has an actuation device for the retraction and extension of the aerofoil components into a recess, and also a drive device to operate the actuation device. A regulating flap of a wing, and also a wing, with such a device for the generation of aerodynamic vortices, and a wing, which has at least two aerofoil segments at its side edge situated at the spanwise end.

Abstract: Systems and methods for tracing aircraft vortices. One method includes directing a tracer from a first aircraft into a vortical flow generated by the first aircraft. The method can further include detecting a characteristic corresponding to the presence of the tracer directed into the vortical flow. Based at least in part on the detected characteristic, the method can include directing the flight of the first aircraft, or a second aircraft following the first aircraft, or both.

Abstract: In a blade vortex interaction (BVI) noise reduction system for a helicopter a rotor blade, a tab is movable via an actuator from a first position, wherein the tab is within the blade, to a second position, wherein the tab extends outwardly from a trailing edge of the rotor blade. The actuator is operated so that the tab advances and retreats in response to rotating timing of the rotor blade, to reduce the BVI noise of the rotor blade.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing variable geometry winglets to an aircraft are disclosed. In one embodiment, a winglet includes a base portion configured to attach to a wing. The winglet further includes a body portion. In turn, the body portion includes at least one of a deflectable control surface, a shape memory alloy (SMA) bending plate, and a SMA torque tube. The base portion is configured to attach to the wing such that the body portion projects at an upward angle from the wing.

Abstract: A MEMS type flow actuated out-of-plane flap apparatus includes a substrate defining a plane; a duct attached to the substrate, the duct and the substrate defining a fluid flow channel; and a rotatable flap having a flow receiving portion and an extension portion. The flow receiving portion being disposed in the fluid flow channel where, in an actuated position of the flap, a fluid flow against the flow receiving portion causes rotation of the flap and movement of the extension portion out of the plane of the substrate.

Abstract: An aerodynamic element attachable to a primary wing to extend in a longitudinal direction at an angle to a spanwise direction of the primary wing. The aerodynamic element includes a downstream end having at least two flow flaps arranged next to each other and oriented in the longitudinal direction of the aerodynamic element.

Abstract: A system and method for dissipating vortices that form at the wingtips on aircraft and from other airfoils. A jet air stream is discharged in a location at or proximate to the outer end portion of the airfoil into the vortex flow, and the jet air stream is moved cyclically back and forth. The cyclic movement can be at lower or higher frequencies to alleviate at least in part intensity of the vortex or accelerate instability of the vortex which leads to vortex dissipation.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for the controlled trailing wake flows are disclosed. An apparatus in accordance with one embodiment is directed to an aircraft system that includes an airfoil having first and second oppositely facing flow surfaces and a tip. The system can further include a vortex dissipation device carried by the airfoil, with the vortex dissipation device including a fluid flow nozzle, a valve device, and a controller. The fluid flow nozzle can be coupleable to a source of pressurized fluid and can include an orifice positioned to direct a flow of fluid outwardly from the tip. The valve device can be coupled in fluid communication with the fluid flow nozzle to selectively control the flow passing through the orifice. The controller can be coupled to the valve device to direct the operation of the valve device. Accordingly, the vortex dissipation device can be activated to accelerate the rate at which vortices (e.g., wing tip vortices) dissipate after they are generated.

Abstract: To control and particularly steepen the landing glide path of an aircraft, a respective aerodynamic component mounted on each wingtip includes a fixed plane member and a pivotable control element pivotally connected to the fixed plane member. The pivot axis is perpendicular to the major plane of the wing. The pivotable control element can be selectively pivotally deflected about the pivot axis relative to the fixed plane member, so as to thereby increase the overall drag without influencing the overall lift of the aircraft. This achieves a fine adjustment that is superimposed on the basic landing configuration established by the setting of the flaps, spoilers, engine thrust, etc. By increasing the drag without influencing the lift, this steepens the landing glide path slope.

Abstract: A wake vortex visualizer for an aircraft having a selfcontained device that is installed within the wing tip to emit a smoke-like trail from the wing tip automatically by the use of simple ball check valve connected between an orifice on the wing tip and a tank of vapor forming fluid during takeoff and landing of the aircraft such that other following aircraft may see and avoid the vortex generated by said aircraft during takeoff and landing.