초록 ▼

An airfoil (24) providing vortex attenuation includes an outboard area (28). The outboard area has a foil extension portion (30) having a high pressure surface (32). The high pressure surface has an arcuate shape that increases in length from a leading edge (36) to a trailing edge (38) of the airfoi

An airfoil (24) providing vortex attenuation includes an outboard area (28). The outboard area has a foil extension portion (30) having a high pressure surface (32). The high pressure surface has an arcuate shape that increases in length from a leading edge (36) to a trailing edge (38) of the airfoil. The outboard area further includes an orifice portion (40) with an opening (42) therein. The opening in the orifice portion has a swirler (44) mounted therein. The swirler and the high pressure surface cause the air passing under the wing toward the outboard area to rotate with controlled direction and velocity consistent with the rotational direction of a naturally occurring vortex at the outboard area of the wing. As a result, the natural tip vortex is attenuated reducing drag on the airfoil.

대표청구항 ▼

An airfoil including vortex attenuation mean, said airfoil having a relatively high pressure side and a relatively low pressure side upon movement of said foil in a forward direction relative to surrounding air, said airfoil having a trailing edge relative to airflow past said foil, and an outboard

An airfoil including vortex attenuation mean, said airfoil having a relatively high pressure side and a relatively low pressure side upon movement of said foil in a forward direction relative to surrounding air, said airfoil having a trailing edge relative to airflow past said foil, and an outboard area, said vortex attenuation means comprising: a foil extension portion on said foil in said outboard area, said foil extension portion having a high pressure surface adjacent to and as a smooth continuation of said high pressure said of said foil, said high pressure surface extending arcuately and concavely towards said high pressure side, the spanwise arcuate cross sectional length of said high pressure surface increasing with proximity to said an orifice portion on said airfoil, said orifice portion adjacent said trailing edge and including an opening extending generally traverse of the forward direction and adapted for passing air therethrough, said opening including an arcuate surface portion bounding said opening, said arcuate surface portion in conforming contour with said adjacent high pressure surface and a smooth continuation thereof.