Secondary airfoil apparatus, system, and method for improving lift and aerodynamic performance of a floatplane
AssigneesRonald A. Lueck, Michael Ryan
InventorsRonald A. Lueck, Michael Ryan
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present disclosure relates to a secondary airfoil apparatus, system and method for improving lift, takeoff, landing and aerodynamic performance of a floatplane. The secondary airfoil is itself of sufficient structural rigidity to withstand any and all forces added by the airfoil during floatplane operation, and is fixedly attached between the floats of the floatplane. The secondary airfoil can be arranged at an optimal angle of incidence and vertical lift position relative to the primary airfoil, or wing of the aircraft, and relative to the floats center of gravity and drag for optimal maneuverability of the floatplane.
Claims15
A secondary airfoil apparatus for use on a floatplane, the floatplane including one or more primary airfoils and a pair of floats, the secondary airfoil apparatus comprising:
- an airfoil including a front end, a trailing end, and opposed exterior side surfaces, each exterior side surface adjacent to a float and having a length;
- and
- a plurality of pairs of attachment arms, each pair of attachment arms extending from the opposed exterior side surfaces and terminating at a respective pair of attachment points on the adjacent float, the plurality of pairs of attachment arms spaced along the lengths of the side surfaces.
A system for improving lift and aerodynamic performance of a floatplane, the system comprising:
- a pair of spaced floats, each having an upper surface;
- a secondary airfoil;
- and
- a plurality of attachment arms, each attachment arm extending from an exterior side surface of the secondary airfoil and toward the adjacent float of the spaced floats for fixedly connecting the secondary airfoil to upper surfaces of the respective pair of spaced floats, the plurality of attachment arms being spaced along a length of the exterior side surfaces.
A method for improving lift and aerodynamic performance of a floatplane, the floatplane including a primary airfoil, a first float, and a second float, the method comprising:
- providing a secondary airfoil apparatus including:
- an airfoil including a front end, a trailing end, and opposed exterior side surfaces;
- and
- at least one attachment arms extending from the airfoil;
- and
- securing the at least one attachment arm of the secondary airfoil apparatus to upper surfaces of the first float and the second float, the securing comprising:
- connecting a mounting member to the upper surface of the float;
- connecting the at least one attachment arm to a sidewall surface of the secondary airfoil;
- and
- connecting the mounting member on the float to the attachment arm.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.