Lift enhancing tabs for airfoils
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
InventorJames C. Ross
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A tab deployable from the trailing edge of a main airfoil element forces flow onto a following airfoil element, such as a flap, to keep the flow attached and thus enhance lift. For aircraft wings with high lift systems that include leading edge slats, the slats may also be provided with tabs to turn the flow onto the following main element.
Claims13
A device for enhancing lift of an aircraft wing having a fixed main element which includes a leading edge, a trailing edge, and a cove formed under the trailing edge, and a flap deployable from the trailing edge, the trailing edges of the main element being positionally fixed with respect to the remainder of the main element, the device comprising:
- a tab, deployable from the trailing edge of the fixed main element;
- and
- means for actuating the tab to move from a non-deployed position to a deployed position in which the tab extends into the cove and towards a leading edge of the flap, whereby the tab forces airflow leaving the trailing edge of the fixed main element to turn towards the flap.
A device for enhancing lift of an aircraft wing having a fixed main element which includes a leading edge and a trailing edge, and a flap deployable from the trailing edge, the trailing edge of the main element being positionally fixed with respect to the remainder of the main element and defining a cove in conjunction with the flap, the device comprising:
- a tab integrally formed on the trailing edge of the main element and being substantially perpendicular to a lower surface of the main element, and extending into the cove and towards a leading edge of the flap, whereby the tab forces airflow leaving the trailing edge of the fixed main element to turn towards the flap.
A fixed aircraft wing comprising:
- a fixed main element having a leading edge, a trailing edge, and a cove formed under the trailing edge, the trailing edge of the main element being positionally fixed with respect to the remainder of the main element;
- a flap deployable from the trailing edge of the fixed main element, the flap having a leading edge and a trailing edge;
- and
- a tab deployable from the trailing edge of the fixed main element;
- and
- means for actuating the tab to move from a non-deployed position to a deployed position in which the tab extends into the cove and towards the leading edge of the flap, whereby the tab forces airflow leaving the trailing edge of the fixed main element to turn towards the flap.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.