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US4258889A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Method and apparatus for laminar flow control

Assignee: Boeing Co
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Filing: 1979-03-29
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Granted: 1981-03-31
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Expires: 1999-03-29
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Abstract

Abstract A method of installing a compressible insert in an exterior surface of a body is disclosed. There is also disclosed a laminar flow control arrangement that may be produced by such method.

Inventors

  • 👤 James Hunt

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-24 17:56
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64C; B64C21/00; B64C21/02; B64C21/06; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T50/00; Y02T50/10

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim 105 words
A process for installing an insert in an exterior panel of a body comprising the steps of first, selecting an insert which includes an inelastically compressible, air-permeable segment; securing a relatively thin, non-porous strip to one surface thereof; cutting a slit through said strip then positioning said insert in a slot in said panel; then compressing said insert; and then providing a fluid flow path from said slit through said segment to a source of negative pressure; so that said insert substantially fills said slot, an outer surface of said strip is level with an outer surface of said panel and said segment remains air-permeable.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 105 words
A process for installing an insert in an exterior panel of a body comprising the steps of first, selecting an insert which includes an inelastically compressible, air-permeable segment; securing a relatively thin, non-porous strip to one surface thereof; cutting a slit through said strip then positioning said insert in a slot in said panel; then compressing said insert; and then providing a fluid flow path from said slit through said segment to a source of negative pressure; so that said insert substantially fills said slot, an outer surface of said strip is level with an outer surface of said panel and said segment remains air-permeable.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 23 words
A process according to claim 1 further including the step of securing said porous segment in said slot prior to said compressing step.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 20 words
A process according to claim 2 wherein said securing step seals the other surfaces of said segment against said slot.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 13 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein said porous segment is aluminum foam.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 13 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein said porous segment is Duocel foam.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 33 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein said compressing step includes passing a roller over said panel surface, in forced contact with said insert, said force being sufficient to inelastically compress said insert.
Claim 8
Independent Claim 116 words
A method of manufacturing a laminar flow control arrangement for an airfoil comprising the steps of providing an airfoil having an exterior panel surface; forming at least one slot in said surface; providing a uniformly, nonelastically compressible, porous material, bonding one side of a nonporous strip to one surface of said material; forming a slit entirely through said strip; bonding and sealing said material in said slot; then, compressing said material until the other side of said strip is level with said panel surface; and providing fluid communication between said material and a source of negative pressure, whereby, boundary layer air on said panel surface may be drawn through said slit and material by said source.
Claim 9
Independent Claim 116 words
A method of manufacturing a laminar flow control arrangement for an airfoil comprising the steps of providing an airfoil having an exterior panel surface; forming at least one slot in said surface; providing a uniformly, nonelastically compressible, porous material, bonding one side of a nonporous strip to one surface of said material; forming a slit entirely through said strip; bonding and sealing said material in said slot; then, compressing said material until the other side of said strip is level with said panel surface; and providing fluid communication between said material and a source of negative pressure, whereby, boundary layer air on said panel surface may be drawn through said slit and material by said source.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1984-03-30 1984-09-29 1985-03-31 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1988-03-30 1988-09-29 1989-03-31 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1992-03-30 1992-09-29 1993-03-31 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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