US 10,766,544 B2 · Airfoils and machines incorporating airfoils

Abstract

Various embodiments of an airfoil and machines with airfoils are disclosed. The airfoils include a thicker leading airfoil portion and a thinner trailing airfoil portion. In one embodiment, the leading airfoil portion is formed by bending a body of the airfoil back toward itself. In another embodiment, the leading airfoil portion has a solid geometry and includes two elliptic surfaces. To prevent detachment of airflow, the leading airfoil portion includes at least two arc portions or surfaces that act to direct the airflow down to the trailing airfoil portion in a manner that stabilizes vortexes that may form in the region of changing thickness.

Claims15

Dependent claims

An airfoil, comprising:

a leading edge and a trailing edge;
a suction side and a pressure side;
a base portion including a first surface associated with the pressure side and a second surface associated with the suction side;
an overhang portion that extends over some of the base portion;
and
an elliptic portion connecting the base portion and the overhang portion adjacent the leading edge;
wherein the overhang portion is curved toward the second surface of the base portion;
wherein the overhang portion comprises a first arc portion extending from the elliptic portion and having a first radius of curvature on the suction side and a second arc portion disposed at a free end of the overhang portion and having a second radius of curvature on the suction side;
and
wherein the second radius of curvature is greater than the first radius of curvature.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Airfoils and machines incorporating airfoils

Life of this patent

Airfoils and machines incorporating airfoils

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15