초록 ▼

A highly tapered wing tip extension added to the tip of an existing swept, trapezoidal airplane wing for reducing high speed drag significantly. A smaller, highly swept, extension does not require a leading edge device to protect against low speed stall. A larger, less swept, extension requires a ta

A highly tapered wing tip extension added to the tip of an existing swept, trapezoidal airplane wing for reducing high speed drag significantly. A smaller, highly swept, extension does not require a leading edge device to protect against low speed stall. A larger, less swept, extension requires a tapered slat for which two mechanisms are presented. The principles of the present invention are also applicable to the design of new aircraft.

대표청구항 ▼

Apparatus for improving the aerodynamic performance of an aircraft capable of attaining but not exceeding high transonic speeds, said aircraft having a tapered planform, geometrically twisted, main wing, said main wing having a leading edge sweepback angle greater than about twenty-seven degrees (27

Apparatus for improving the aerodynamic performance of an aircraft capable of attaining but not exceeding high transonic speeds, said aircraft having a tapered planform, geometrically twisted, main wing, said main wing having a leading edge sweepback angle greater than about twenty-seven degrees (27°) and less than about forty degrees (40°), said apparatus comprising a tapered wing tip member adapted to be secured to each outboard end of said main wing, said main wing and said wing tip member having a spanwise lift distribution approximating that of an elliptical planform wing, said wing tip member having a chordplane projecting outwardly in spanwise alignment with the chordplane of said main wing, and wherein said wing tip member has a leading edge sweepback angle of about forty degrees (40°) or more.