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

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- Number: US 10,766,544 B2
- Document ID: US10766544B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/969,347
- Filed: 2018-05-02
- Published: 2019-07-04
- Granted: 2020-09-08
- Earliest claimed: 2017-12-29
- Assignees: ESS 2 Tech, LLC
- Applicants: ESS 2 Tech, LLC
- Inventors: Michael Suk; David A. Shoffler
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10766544B2

## CPC

- B62D 35/001: {For commercial vehicles or tractor-trailer combinations, e.g. caravans}
- B64C 3/14: Aerofoil profile
- B64C 11/18: Aerodynamic features
- B64C 21/10: using other surface properties, e.g. roughness
- B64C 27/467: Aerodynamic features
- B64U 30/20: Rotors; Rotor supports
- B64U 30/29: Constructional aspects of rotors or rotor supports; Arrangements thereof
- F01D 5/141: {Shape, i.e. outer, aerodynamic form (F01D5/148 - F01D5/20 take precedence; blade construction F01D5/147)}
- F01D 5/145: {Means for influencing boundary layers or secondary circulations (for compressors F04D29/68)}
- F04D 29/281: {for fans or blowers}
- F04D 29/384: {characterised by form}
- F04D 29/422: {Discharge tongues (F04D17/04 takes precedence)}
- F04D 29/681: {especially adapted for elastic fluid pumps}
- F15D 1/00: Influencing flow of fluids
- F15D 1/0085: {Methods of making characteristic surfaces for influencing the boundary layer}
- B62D 35/007: {Rear spoilers (B62D35/001 takes precedence)}
- B64C 2003/146: {comprising leading edges of particular shape}
- B64C 2003/147: {comprising trailing edges of particular shape}
- B64U 10/14: with four distinct rotor axes, e.g. quadcopters
- F01D 5/146: {of blades with tandem configuration, split blades or slotted blades}
- F01D 5/147: {Construction, i.e. structural features, e.g. of weight-saving hollow blades (F01D5/148, F01D5/16 and F01D5/20 take precedence; blade shape F01D5/141; blades with cooling or heating channels or cavities F01D5/18; heating, heat-insulating or cooling means on blades F01D5/18)}
- F03D 1/0675: {of the blades}
- F03D 3/061: {characterised by their aerodynamic shape, e.g. aerofoil profiles}
- F05B 2240/221: with horizontal axis
- F05B 2250/14: elliptical
- F05D 2220/36: specially adapted for the fan of turbofan engines
- F05D 2230/54: by sheet metal manufacturing
- F05D 2240/124: related to the suction side of a stator vane
- F05D 2240/306: related to the suction side of a rotor blade
- F05D 2250/14: elliptical
- F05D 2250/294: grooved
- F05D 2250/713: inflexed
- F15D 1/0045: {oriented essentially perpendicular to the direction of flow}
- F15D 1/12: by influencing the boundary layer
- Y02P 70/50: Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product
- Y02T 10/82: Elements for improving aerodynamics
- Y02T 50/60: Efficient propulsion technologies, e.g. for aircraft
- B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M)
- B64C: AEROPLANES; HELICOPTERS
- B64U: UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES [UAV]; EQUIPMENT THEREFOR
- F01D: NON-POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, e.g. STEAM TURBINES (machines or engines for liquids F03; non-positive displacement pumps F04D)
- F04D: NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS (engine fuel-injection pumps F02M; ion pumps H01J41/12; electrodynamic pumps H02K44/02)
- F15D: FLUID DYNAMICS, i.e. METHODS OR MEANS FOR INFLUENCING THE FLOW OF GASES OR LIQUIDS
- F03D: WIND MOTORS
- F05B: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
- F05D: INDEXING SCHEME FOR ASPECTS RELATING TO NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, GAS-TURBINES OR JET-PROPULSION PLANTS
- Y02P: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
- Y02T: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION

## 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.

## Claims

### Claim 1

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.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The airfoil according to claim 1, wherein the second radius of curvature being greater than the first radius of curvature defines a step-down region such that, when air flows over the step-down region, a vortex is created at the step-down region.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The airfoil according to claim 2, wherein the airfoil is formed from a single body of material.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The airfoil according to claim 1, wherein a free end of the overhang portion is separated from the base portion by a gap, and wherein the gap is substantially greater than a local thickness of the overhang portion.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The airfoil according to claim 4, wherein the gap is at least twice as large as the local thickness of the overhang portion.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The airfoil according to claim 1, wherein:
the base portion is comprised of a leading end section and a trailing end section, the leading end section being disposed beneath the overhang portion;
wherein the leading end section of the base portion, the elliptic portion, and the overhang portion collectively comprise a leading airfoil portion; and
wherein the leading airfoil portion is thicker than the trailing end section of the base portion.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The airfoil according to claim 6, wherein a leading end thickness of the airfoil defined as a distance between the first surface of the leading end section of the base portion and the suction side of the overhang portion has a maximum value adjacent the elliptic portion and a minimum value adjacent a free end of the overhang portion.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The airfoil according to claim 1, wherein the base portion has a first radius of curvature on the suction side at the trailing edge and a second radius of curvature on the suction side adjacent the trailing edge, and wherein the first radius of curvature is smaller than the second radius of curvature.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The airfoil according to claim 1, wherein the base portion has a first length, wherein the overhang portion has a second length, and wherein the second length is at least ¼ of the first length.

### Claim 10

An airfoil system for use with a motor vehicle trailer, the motor vehicle trailer having a rearward side with a rearward edge, the airfoil system comprising:
an airfoil configured to be attached to the motor vehicle trailer adjacent the rearward edge;
wherein the airfoil has a base portion and an overhang portion that hangs over the base portion;
wherein the airfoil is configured to direct airflow moving across the motor vehicle trailer to the rearward side of the motor vehicle trailer; and
wherein the overhang portion includes a first arc portion and a second arc portion, the first arc portion and the second arc portion having substantially different curvatures.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The airfoil system according to claim 10, wherein the airfoil system further includes:
a lower periphery configured to contact the motor vehicle trailer;
a first surface that slopes upwards from the lower periphery to the overhang portion;
a second surface that slopes down from the overhang portion to the lower periphery, wherein the second surface is disposed on the base portion, and wherein the second surface is configured to be disposed closer to the rearward side of the motor vehicle trailer than is the first surface to the motor vehicle trailer.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The airfoil system according to claim 11, wherein the first surface has a substantially constant curvature and wherein the second surface has a variable curvature.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The airfoil system according to claim 12, wherein the airfoil directs air up the first surface, around the overhang portion, and down the second surface.

### Claim 14 (depends on 12)

The airfoil system according to claim 12, wherein the second surface has a lower elliptic portion disposed adjacent the lower periphery.

### Claim 15 (depends on 10)

The airfoil system according to claim 10, wherein the first arc portion has a first radius of curvature and the second arc portion has a second radius of curvature, the second radius of curvature being greater than the first radius of curvature.