초록 ▼

This invention is for a passive laminar flow airfoil which has an upper skin 12 and lower skin 14 joined at a trailing edge 16. A leading edge structure 20, such as de-icing equipment, is joined to the upper and lower skins by interface mechanisms 30 and 35. Generally, the interface mechanisms are f

This invention is for a passive laminar flow airfoil which has an upper skin 12 and lower skin 14 joined at a trailing edge 16. A leading edge structure 20, such as de-icing equipment, is joined to the upper and lower skins by interface mechanisms 30 and 35. Generally, the interface mechanisms are forward facing steps, with or without adjacent gaps, shaped and dimensioned to accomplish laminar flow using standard airfoil manufacturing techniques.

대표청구항 ▼

The method of obtaining natural laminar flow over an airfoil comprising the steps of: smoothing the upper and lower skin structure of an airfoil sufficient to allow laminar flow; placing a smooth leading edge structure adjacent said skin structures; joining said leading edge structure to said skin s

The method of obtaining natural laminar flow over an airfoil comprising the steps of: smoothing the upper and lower skin structure of an airfoil sufficient to allow laminar flow; placing a smooth leading edge structure adjacent said skin structures; joining said leading edge structure to said skin structure; providing a forward facing step joint rising above the leading edge structure and located before the skin structure; and shaping the step joint between the leading edge structure and skin structure to cause laminar separation before and reattachment after a laminar separation bubble formed thereat which allows extended natural laminar flow after the step joint location.