Patent US4769245A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US4453413A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4453413A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Aerodynamic load distribution simulator
Assignee: United States Department of the Air Force
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Filing: 1982-07-14
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Granted: 1984-06-12
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Expires: 2002-07-14
Abstract
Abstract A novel test fixture for simulating aerodynamic loading on an airfoil is described which comprises a pair of arrays of a plurality of individual pressure controlled flexible bellows supported between a pair of platens, one array configured to contact and conform to the upper surface of the airfoil and simulate the partial vacuum distribution thereacross, the second array configured to contact and conform to the lower surface of the airfoil and simulate the pressure distribution thereacross. A compliant stabilization structure configured to provide lateral stability to the bellows arrays under pressure conditions is described.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert L. Schneider
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 18:29
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M5/00; G01M5/0041; G01M5/005; G01M5/0016
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
An apparatus for simulating the aerodynamic load distribution over the surfaces of an airfoil, comprising: a. upper and lower backing platens supported in a substantially parallel spaced relationship with said airfoil juxtaposed therebetween; b. means defining a first array of a plurality of individual longitudinally expansible volume elements disposed between confronting surfaces of said upper platen and said airfoil; c. means defining a second array of a plurality of individual longitudinally expansible volume elements disposed between confronting surfaces of said lower platen and said airfoil; and d. means for controlling the pressure within each said expansible volume element.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
98 words
An apparatus for simulating the aerodynamic load distribution over the surfaces of an airfoil, comprising: a. upper and lower backing platens supported in a substantially parallel spaced relationship with said airfoil juxtaposed therebetween; b. means defining a first array of a plurality of individual longitudinally expansible volume elements disposed between confronting surfaces of said upper platen and said airfoil; c. means defining a second array of a plurality of individual longitudinally expansible volume elements disposed between confronting surfaces of said lower platen and said airfoil; and d. means for controlling the pressure within each said expansible volume element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said platens are fixed against relative movement therebetween.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 2 further comprising means for moving said platens in a direction substantially perpendicular to said platens.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 3 wherein said moving means comprises hydraulically actuated rams operatively interconnected to said platens.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said platens are substantially coextensive with the surface area presented by said airfoil.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said means defining said first and second arrays comprises a plurality of adjacent, closely spaced tubular bellows elements.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 6 further comprising a first flexible sheet adjacent said airfoil to which one end of each bellows element in the adjacent array is sealably attached.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 7 further comprising a layer of adhesive between confronting surfaces of said airfoil and said first flexible sheet.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 7 further comprising a second flexible sheet to which each opposite end of each bellows element is sealably attached.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 9 further comprising a source of pressure and means defining passageways through each of said platens and adjacent flexible sheets through which each of said bellows elements communicates with said source of pressure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said pressure control means includes a source of pneumatic pressure.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said pressure control means includes a source of hydraulic pressure.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
178 words
An apparatus for simulating the aerodynamic load distribution over the surfaces of an airfoil, comprising: a. upper and lower backing platens supported in a substantially parallel spaced relationship with said airfoil juxtaposed therebetween; b. first and second bellows assemblies, each of said assemblies comprising a plurality of adjacent, closely spaced, longitudinally extensible tubular bellows elements and a pair of flexible sheets with said bellows elements sealably disposed therebetween to form a compliant array; c. said first assembly disposed beween confronting surfaces of said upper platen and said airfoil, and said second assembly disposed between confronting surfaces of said lower platen and said airfoil; d. a source of pneumatic pressure; e. valve means interconnecting said bellows elements in one of said assemblies with said pressure source for selectively controlling the pressure within each said bellows element of said one assembly; f. a source of reduced pressure; and g. valve means interconnecting said bellows elements in the other said assembly with said reduced pressure source for selectively maintaining a partial vacuum within each said bellows element of said other assembly.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
178 words
An apparatus for simulating the aerodynamic load distribution over the surfaces of an airfoil, comprising: a. upper and lower backing platens supported in a substantially parallel spaced relationship with said airfoil juxtaposed therebetween; b. first and second bellows assemblies, each of said assemblies comprising a plurality of adjacent, closely spaced, longitudinally extensible tubular bellows elements and a pair of flexible sheets with said bellows elements sealably disposed therebetween to form a compliant array; c. said first assembly disposed beween confronting surfaces of said upper platen and said airfoil, and said second assembly disposed between confronting surfaces of said lower platen and said airfoil; d. a source of pneumatic pressure; e. valve means interconnecting said bellows elements in one of said assemblies with said pressure source for selectively controlling the pressure within each said bellows element of said one assembly; f. a source of reduced pressure; and g. valve means interconnecting said bellows elements in the other said assembly with said reduced pressure source for selectively maintaining a partial vacuum within each said bellows element of said other assembly.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 13 wherein each of said bellows elements and flexible sheets comprises reinforced rubber.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 13 or claim 14 further comprising a plurality of rigid rings, a said ring surrounding each of said bellows elements and hingedly interconnected to each adjacent ring to form a compliant array of said rings for laterally supporting said bellows elements.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 13 wherein each of said bellows assemblies substantially coextensive with its respective adjacent airfoil surface.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
113 words
An apparatus for simulating the aerodynamic load distribution over the surfaces of an airfoil, comprising: a. upper and lower backing platens supported in a substantially parallel spaced relationship with said airfoil juxtaposed therebetween; b. means defining a first array of longitudinally expansible volume elements disposed between confronting surfaces of said upper platen and said airfoil; c. means defining a second array of longitudinally expansible volume elements disposed between confronting surfaces of said lower platen and said airfoil; and d. pressure control means for selectively evacuating each of said expansible volume elements comprising one of said arrays, and for selectively applying pressure to each of said expansible volume elements comprising the other said array.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
113 words
An apparatus for simulating the aerodynamic load distribution over the surfaces of an airfoil, comprising: a. upper and lower backing platens supported in a substantially parallel spaced relationship with said airfoil juxtaposed therebetween; b. means defining a first array of longitudinally expansible volume elements disposed between confronting surfaces of said upper platen and said airfoil; c. means defining a second array of longitudinally expansible volume elements disposed between confronting surfaces of said lower platen and said airfoil; and d. pressure control means for selectively evacuating each of said expansible volume elements comprising one of said arrays, and for selectively applying pressure to each of said expansible volume elements comprising the other said array.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 17 wherein said platens are fixed against relative movement therebetween.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 18 further comprising means for moving said platens in a direction substantially perpendicular to said platens.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 19 wherein said moving means comprises hydraulically actuated rams operatively interconnected to said platens.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 17 wherein said platens are substantially coextensive with the surface area presented by said airfoil.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 17 wherein said means defining said first and second arrays comprise a plurality of adjacent, closely spaced tubular bellows elements.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 22 further comprising a first flexible sheet adjacent said airfoil to which one end of each bellows element in the adjacent array is sealably attached.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 23 further comprising a layer of adhesive between confronting surfaces of said airfoil and said first flexible sheet.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 23 further comprising a second flexible sheet to which each opposite end of each bellows element is sealably attached.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 25 further comprising a source of pressure and means defining passageways through each of said platens and adjacent flexible sheets through which each of said bellows elements communicates with said source of pressure.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 17 wherein said pressure control means includes a source of pneumatic pressure.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 17 wherein said pressure control means includes a source of hydraulic pressure.
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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) | 1987-06-12 | 1987-12-12 | 1988-06-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-06-12 | 1991-12-12 | 1992-06-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-06-12 | 1995-12-12 | 1996-06-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |