Air flow control means for channel winged aircraft

Claim 1

In an aircraft having at least one upwardly opening substantially semi-cylindrical airfoiled channel, and a propeller revolvably mounted adjacent the trailing edge, with the revolving propeller tips defining an orbit closely spaced from the upper channel surface, means for applying a liquid to the upper channel surface in the form of a substantially continuous film and into the space between the channel surface and the propeller tip orbit to seal the area therebetween and prevent spillback leakage of air through the space, said means including liquid storage means in said aircraft, a plurality of rearwardly directed liquid jets having discharge orifices opening for discharge of liquid onto the upper surface of said channel and being operatively interconnected with the liquid storage means, said jets being operable to apply the liquid to the upper channel surface in the form of the substantially continuous film, said jet discharge orifices being transversely spacedly located and positioned across the high point of the airfoiled channel surface and directing liquid flow therefrom toward the trailing edge of the channel as the substantially continuous flowIng liquid film, means for maintaining the liquid under pressure, and valve means for selectively controlling liquid flow from said jet discharge orifices.