초록 ▼

A wake vortex alleviator is provided. The wake vortex alleviator produces rapid variations in the position of vortices emanating from aerodynamic surfaces by using an active flap that moves span-wise back and forth along the outboard section of the surface. Rapidly moving the flap back and forth in

A wake vortex alleviator is provided. The wake vortex alleviator produces rapid variations in the position of vortices emanating from aerodynamic surfaces by using an active flap that moves span-wise back and forth along the outboard section of the surface. Rapidly moving the flap back and forth in a slot at an appropriate frequency will cause the vortex to oscillate, resulting in interaction between other vortices and subsequent destruction much earlier than it would occur naturally. The slot is positioned near the aerodynamic surface trailing edge and generally transverse to a chord line of the aerodynamic surface. The flap can be moved using a variety of actuators to position, translate and stow the flap. The oscillation frequency and position are guided by information feedback according variations in lift in the aerodynamic surface, such as wind gusts. The flaps can control yaw, roll and pitch of the aerodynamic surface.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A wake vortex alleviator on an aerodynamic surface comprising: a. a translating flap integrated to a slot in said aerodynamic surface and positioned in air moving across said aerodynamic surface, wherein said flap is a Gurney flap; and b. an actuator for translating, position

What is claimed is: 1. A wake vortex alleviator on an aerodynamic surface comprising: a. a translating flap integrated to a slot in said aerodynamic surface and positioned in air moving across said aerodynamic surface, wherein said flap is a Gurney flap; and b. an actuator for translating, positioning and stowing said flap, wherein said slot is generally transverse to a chord line of said aerodynamic surface and positioned near a trailing edge of said aerodynamic surface, whereby said flap translates along said slot to induce early destruction of said wake vortex created by said aerodynamic surface. 2. The wake vortex alleviator of claim 1, wherein said flap is on a low-pressure side or on a high-pressure side of said aerodynamic surface. 3. The wake vortex alleviator of claim 1, wherein a length of said flap is up to ½ of a wing half span. 4. The wake vortex alleviator of claim 1, wherein said flap has an effective height that varies along said slot. 5. The wake vortex alleviator of claim 4, wherein said effective height is up to 5-percent of a length of said chord line. 6. The wake vortex alleviator of claim 1, wherein said flap comprises holes, slices or features cut therethrough. 7. The wake vortex alleviator of claim 1, wherein said slot is a void in said aerodynamic surface. 8. The wake vortex alleviator of claim 7, wherein said void is an open span between said trailing edge and a lifting surface deployed from said trailing edge. 9. The wake vortex alleviator of claim 7, wherein said void is a space of air removed from said aerodynamic surface, whereby said actuator is deployed in said aerodynamic surface when said flap is stowed. 10. The wake vortex alleviator of claim 1, wherein said aerodynamic surface comprises one or more lifting surfaces of a wing. 11. The wake vortex alleviator of claim 10, wherein said lifting surface is a Fowler flap. 12. The wake vortex alleviator of claim 1, wherein said translation is an oscillation along said slot. 13. The wake vortex alleviator of claim 12, wherein said oscillation is a response-oscillation actuated according to variations in lift in said aerodynamic surface, wherein said lift variations are wind gusts. 14. The wake vortex alleviator of claim 1, wherein said trailing edge is a sharp edge or a blunt edge. 15. The wake vortex alleviator of claim 1, wherein said slot is at least two times the length of said flap. 16. The wake vortex alleviator of claim 1, wherein said actuator is selected from a group comprising a linear ball screw, a worm drive, a scotch yoke, a crank arm and a solenoid. 17. The wake vortex alleviator of claim 1, wherein said flap is a pair of said flaps mounted on said aerodynamic surface located on each side of an aircraft. 18. The wake vortex alleviator of claim 17, wherein said flaps are mounted symmetrically on said aerodynamic surfaces located on each side of an aircraft. 19. The wake vortex alleviator of claim 1, wherein said flap stowage comprises a pivoting flap that rotates said flap into said slot and out of said airflow. 20. The wake vortex alleviator of claim 1, wherein said flap stowage comprises a hidden slot in a root of said aerodynamic surface, whereby said flap moves into said hidden slot and out of said airflow. 21. The wake vortex alleviator of claim 1, wherein said flap controls a yaw, a roll or a pitch of said aerodynamic surface. 22. The wake vortex alleviator of claim 1, wherein said aerodynamic surface further comprises an extended flutter boundary.