Wake Filling for Propeller Noise Reduction

Abstract

A pusher propeller aircraft and method of compensating for a low velocity air flow region behind a trailing edge of a wing of the pusher propeller aircraft. The pusher propeller aircraft may include the wing having output openings at or proximate to the trailing edge, as well as a propeller and a blowing system. The propeller has a plurality of blades rotatably fixed to and located aftward of the wing, and the blowing system is at least partially located within the wing and provides a free air jet through the output openings in a direction aftward toward the propeller. The method includes rotating the propeller and releasing the free air jet through the output openings, thus building the air flow velocity back up in the low velocity air flow region to provide a more uniform air flow velocity profile through which the blades rotate.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.