US3669386A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Airfoil including fluidically controlled jet flap
Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corp
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Filing: 1970-05-25
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Granted: 1972-06-13
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Expires: 1990-05-25
Abstract
Abstract Controlled deflection of a jet flap emanating from an airfoil is accomplished by control fluid streams aligned at a substantial angle to the fluid jet which produces the jet flap. Disclosed embodiments show the use of the fluidically controlled jet flap to adjust the attitude and/or airfoil loading of an aircraft, to generate oscillatory lift forces for flight flutter testing of an aircraft, and to generate and control gusts in wind tunnels.
Inventors
- 👤 Willi F Jacobs
- 👤 Maximilian F Platzer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 11:14
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64C; B64C9/00; B64C9/38
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
284 words
A fluid dynamic apparatus comprising: a fluid foil having a trailing edge and including a fluid flow surface over which fluid flows in a direction generally toward said trailing edge in the operation of said foil; a plenum contained within said foil and connected to receive fluid pressure; fluid passage means disposed in said foil, said fluid passage means being in fluid flow communication between said plenum and a certain spanwise extent of said foil trailing edge and being operative to direct a jet sheet fluid stream in a substantially chordwise, downstream direction from said foil trailing edge; first control fluid flow means disposed in said foil and selectively connected in fluid flow communication with a source of fluid pressure, said first control fluid flow means positioned to direct a control fluid stream into flow direction modifying impingement along the spanwise extent of said jet sheet fluid stream emitted from said fluid flow means when said first control fluid flow means is in open fluid flow communication with said source of fluid pressure; and, second control fluid flow means disposed in said foil and selectively connected in fluid flow communication with a source of fluid pressure; said second control fluid flow means positioned to direct a control fluid stream into flow modifying impingement along the spanwise extent of said jet sheet fluid stream emitted from said fluid flow means when said second control fluid flow means is in open fluid flow communication with said source of fluid pressure; said first and second control fluid flow means being disposed on opposite sides of said jet sheet fluid stream to selectively direct the respective control fluid streams in opposed relationship toward said jet sheet fluid stream.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
284 words
A fluid dynamic apparatus comprising: a fluid foil having a trailing edge and including a fluid flow surface over which fluid flows in a direction generally toward said trailing edge in the operation of said foil; a plenum contained within said foil and connected to receive fluid pressure; fluid passage means disposed in said foil, said fluid passage means being in fluid flow communication between said plenum and a certain spanwise extent of said foil trailing edge and being operative to direct a jet sheet fluid stream in a substantially chordwise, downstream direction from said foil trailing edge; first control fluid flow means disposed in said foil and selectively connected in fluid flow communication with a source of fluid pressure, said first control fluid flow means positioned to direct a control fluid stream into flow direction modifying impingement along the spanwise extent of said jet sheet fluid stream emitted from said fluid flow means when said first control fluid flow means is in open fluid flow communication with said source of fluid pressure; and, second control fluid flow means disposed in said foil and selectively connected in fluid flow communication with a source of fluid pressure; said second control fluid flow means positioned to direct a control fluid stream into flow modifying impingement along the spanwise extent of said jet sheet fluid stream emitted from said fluid flow means when said second control fluid flow means is in open fluid flow communication with said source of fluid pressure; said first and second control fluid flow means being disposed on opposite sides of said jet sheet fluid stream to selectively direct the respective control fluid streams in opposed relationship toward said jet sheet fluid stream.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said control fluid streams impinge said jet sheet fluid stream substantially perpendicularly thereto.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
195 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein: said fluid flow means comprises a plurality of passageways defining openings in fluid communication with said plenum and arrayed in a spanwise direction along said portion of said trailing edge to direct pressurized fluid flowing therethrough to form a fluid layer extending generally downstream of said trailing edge; said first control fluid flow means comprises a first control conduit selectively connected to a source of fluid pressure and disposed in a spanwise direction along said trailing edge portion, said first conduit being displaced to one side of said fluid layer and having a plurality of openings positioned to direct a fluid stream for direction modifying impingement on said fluid layer; and said second control fluid flow means comprises a second control conduit selectively connected to a source of fluid pressure and disposed in a spanwise direction along said trailing edge portion, said second conduit being displaced to the other side of said fluid layer to be positioned opposite and spaced apart from said first control conduit, said second control conduit having a plurality of openings positioned to direct a fluid stream for direction modifying impingement on said fluid stream.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus as in claim 3, wherein said openings of both said first and second control conduits are positioned to direct the respective fluid streams emanating therefrom for substantially perpendicular impingement onto said fluid layer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
120 words
Apparatus as in claim 3, wherein said foil comprises an element of the lift generation and modification portion of a vehicle; and further comprising: control signal means producing an output signal in response to a desired vehicle attitude adjustment; flow control means connected to control the flow of fluid to each of said firSt and second control conduits, said flow control means connected to be responsive to the output signal of said control signal means and being operative to supply fluid to the appropriate one of said control conduits to deflect the direction of flow of said fluid layer in a direction to impart to said foil a force increment tending to accomplish the desired attitude adjustment of the vehicle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
218 words
Apparatus for modifying fluid flow in a fluid flow region, comprising: passageway means defining a fluid flow region through which the flow of fluid in a certain direction is permitted; at least one fluid foil having a trailing edge and disposed in said passageway means so that the span of said foil is substantially transverse to the direction of fluid flow therethrough; a fluid plenum disposed in said foil and connected to a source of fluid pressure; fluid passage means disposed in said foil and communicating fluid flow between said plenum and the trailing edge of said foil to establish a jet sheet fluid layer extending generally downstream of said foil trailing edge; first control fluid passage means disposed in said foil to direct a fluid stream into flow deflecting impingement along the spanwise extent of and at a substantial angle with one side of said fluid flow which establishes said jet sheet fluid layer; second control fluid passage means disposed in said foil to direct a fluid stream into flow deflecting impingement along the spanwise extent of and at a substantial angle with the other side of said fluid flow which establishes said jet sheet fluid layer; and control means connected to selectively supply fluid flow to either of said first and second control fluid passage means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
218 words
Apparatus for modifying fluid flow in a fluid flow region, comprising: passageway means defining a fluid flow region through which the flow of fluid in a certain direction is permitted; at least one fluid foil having a trailing edge and disposed in said passageway means so that the span of said foil is substantially transverse to the direction of fluid flow therethrough; a fluid plenum disposed in said foil and connected to a source of fluid pressure; fluid passage means disposed in said foil and communicating fluid flow between said plenum and the trailing edge of said foil to establish a jet sheet fluid layer extending generally downstream of said foil trailing edge; first control fluid passage means disposed in said foil to direct a fluid stream into flow deflecting impingement along the spanwise extent of and at a substantial angle with one side of said fluid flow which establishes said jet sheet fluid layer; second control fluid passage means disposed in said foil to direct a fluid stream into flow deflecting impingement along the spanwise extent of and at a substantial angle with the other side of said fluid flow which establishes said jet sheet fluid layer; and control means connected to selectively supply fluid flow to either of said first and second control fluid passage means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
144 words
Apparatus as in claim 6, further comprising: another fluid foil having a trailing edge and disposed in said passageway means so that the span of said other foil is substantially transverse to the direction of fluid flow therethrough, said other fluid having a fluid flow plenum, fluid passage means, first control fluid passage means, and second control fluid passage means the same as the corresponding elements are disposed in and functionally interrelated with said one foil, said fluid flow plenum of said other airfoil being connected to a source of fluid pressure; said foils being mounted spaced apart from each other in said fluid flow region in a dimension substantially transverse to said certain direction of passageway means fluid flow; and control means connected to selectively supply fluid flow to either of said first and second control fluid passage means of said other foil.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
55 words
Apparatus as in claim 7, wherein: said control means is connected to selectively supply fluid flow to both of said first control fluid passages or to both of said second control fluid passages so that said control means causes synchronous flow deflecting impingement of the control fluid streams with the respective jet sheet fluid layers.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3362660A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-06-13 | 1975-12-13 | 1976-06-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-13 | 1979-12-13 | 1980-06-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-13 | 1983-12-13 | 1984-06-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |