US3596854A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vortex generator for airfoil structures
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-06-09
•
Granted: 1971-08-03
•
Expires: 1989-06-09
Abstract
Abstract A vortex generator for the ends of airfoil structures that directs air on the high-pressure side of the structure into a vortex generator chamber and discharges the swirling air at the trailing edge of the structure. The exit orifice of the vortex generator may be directed at fixed or variable attitudes for causing the vortex created by the generator to either increase or decrease lift provided by the airfoil structure.
Inventors
- 👤 William R Haney Jr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 17:47
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64C; B64C23/00; B64C23/06; B64C23/065; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T50/00; Y02T50/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
In combination with an airfoil structure comprising a body having opposed first and second surfaces with front, rear and tip edges and shaped so that when exposed to an airstream having an initial direction generally from said front to rear edges and passing over both surfaces a higher air pressure is produced against the first surface than against the second, a housing at the tip edge defining a chamber, said housing having a discharge orifice facing generally rearwardly, and a first opening in said chamber exposed to said first surface to receive high-pressure air therefrom whereby air entering said chamber at said first opening is expelled through said discharge orifice.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
110 words
In combination with an airfoil structure comprising a body having opposed first and second surfaces with front, rear and tip edges and shaped so that when exposed to an airstream having an initial direction generally from said front to rear edges and passing over both surfaces a higher air pressure is produced against the first surface than against the second, a housing at the tip edge defining a chamber, said housing having a discharge orifice facing generally rearwardly, and a first opening in said chamber exposed to said first surface to receive high-pressure air therefrom whereby air entering said chamber at said first opening is expelled through said discharge orifice.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination of claim 1 in which said chamber is generally cylindrical with its longitudinal axis extending generally in the direction of said airstream.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combination of claim 1 in which the chamber has a second opening facing frontwardly so as to receive air approaching from said initial direction to develop a ram pressure within the chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination of claim 1 in which there is a means to impart swirling motion to air passing through said chamber to said discharge orifice.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination of claim 4 in which said means comprises a spirally shaped deflector within the chamber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The combination of claim 4 in which said means is at said discharge orifice.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The combination of claim 4 in which said means is a tangential poSitioning of the first opening to the chamber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination of claim 1 in which said chamber is of gradually reducing diameter toward said discharge orifice for a greater part of its length.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination of claim 1 in which said first opening faces in a direction generally transverse to said initial direction of said airstream.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The combination of claim 1 in which said chamber projects beyond the first surface in a direction normal to the latter and away from the second surface, and said first opening is in said projection.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination of claim 3 in which the second opening opens to a tube extending longitudinally within the chamber.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The combination of claim 1 in which the axis of the discharge orifice is generally parallel with said initial direction of airflow when viewed in a direction from the second surface toward the first surface.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
The combination of claim 1 in which the axis of the discharge orifice is at an angle with said initial direction of airflow when viewed in a direction from the second surface toward the first surface.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination of claim 1 in which there is a means for selectively varying the angle of the axis of the discharge orifice relative to the longitudinal axis of the chamber.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination of claim 1 in which there is a means for varying the size of the discharge orifice.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination of claim 1 in which there is a compressor within the chamber operable to discharge air under pressure toward said discharge orifice.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
42 words
A vortex generator for an aircraft structure comprising a generally cylindrical housing forming a chamber with a discharge orifice at one end and an elongated lateral opening in its sidewall extending generally axially along the housing for admitting air to the chamber.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
42 words
A vortex generator for an aircraft structure comprising a generally cylindrical housing forming a chamber with a discharge orifice at one end and an elongated lateral opening in its sidewall extending generally axially along the housing for admitting air to the chamber.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
The generator of claim 17 in which the chamber contains a means for causing air to discharge from said orifice with a swirling motion.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The generator of claim 17 in which the chamber contains means for selectively varying the discharge orifice opening.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
The generator of claim 17 in which the chamber contains means for varying the angle of the discharge orifice axis relative to the axis of the chamber.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
The generator of claim 17 in which the chamber contains a means for increasing the velocity of air discharged from said orifice.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
The generator of claim 17 in which the lateral opening communicates with the exterior of the housing at said cylindrical wall.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The generator of claim 22 in which the cylindrical wall is devoid of projections at said lateral opening.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-02 | 1975-02-01 | 1975-08-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-02 | 1979-02-01 | 1979-08-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-02 | 1983-02-01 | 1983-08-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |