Method and system for enhancing propulsion efficiency of rotating aero and hydro dynamic blades through vortex-induced flow modification
AssigneeDelta Burn Pte Ltd
InventorPeter IRELAND
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A vortex inducer is applied to the pressure face of a propulsion rotor blade. The vortex inducer defines an aft face located forward of the trailing edge of the blade. In operation, the vortex inducer generates a primary vortex behind its apex, which induces a counterrotating secondary vortex through viscous coupling at the trailing edge. The secondary vortex accelerates and deflects the suction face wake, enhancing overall blade performance. The system is applicable to propellers, helicopter rotors, prop-rotors, fan blades, and marine propellers.
Claims47
A system for enhancing the efficiency of a propulsion rotor blade, the system comprising a propulsion rotor blade defining a pressure face and a suction face, wherein a vortex inducer is applied to the pressure face of the blade, wherein:
- the vortex inducer defines an aft face;
- the aft face is located forward of a trailing edge of the blade, and wherein, in use, the vortex inducer is configured such that:
- the aft face separates flow to induce a primary vortex behind an apex of the aft face,
- the primary vortex induces a counterrotating secondary vortex through viscous coupling at the trailing edge of the blade,
- the secondary vortex rotates tangential to the trailing edge to:
- accelerate suction face wake and to deflect the suction face wake;
- and
- further deflect the suction face wake away from the trailing edge.
A method of enhancing the efficiency of a propulsion rotor blade, the method comprising:
- applying a vortex inducer to a pressure face of the blade, the vortex inducer defines an aft face located forward of a trailing edge of the blade, the vortex inducer configured to:
- induce a primary vortex behind an apex of the aft face by the flow separation caused by the vortex inducer;
- and
- induce a counterrotating secondary vortex through viscous coupling with the primary vortex at the trailing edge of the blade to accelerate and deflect suction face wake by the secondary vortex and deflect the suction face wake further away from the trailing edge.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.