Aerodynamic braking device
OwnerGene A. Quandtinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A spoiler flap is pivotably mounted to the rearward portion of a wind turbine blade or wing to control or influence air flow over the surface of the blade or wing. The spoiler flap has forward and rearward edges. The spoiler flap can be pivoted to simultaneously raise the forward edge (into low pressure flow) and lower the rearward edge of the spoiler flap (into high pressure flow). The extent to which the spoiler flap is pivoted determines the extent to which the air flow over the surface of the blade or wing is influenced. When the spoiler flap is fully deployed or pivoted, it serves as a braking device. When it is only partially pivoted, it serves the function of power modulation.
Claims14
In a wind turbine blade of the type which is adapted to rotate about an axis in response to wind moving over said turbine blade, wherein said turbine blade includes a forward portion, a rearward portion, an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the improvement comprises:
- a braking device pivotably secured to said rearward portion of said blade;
- wherein said braking device comprises a spoiler flap having forward and rearward edges;
- wherein the distance between said forward and rearward edges of said flap is at least about 40% of the chord length of said blade;
- wherein said upper and lower surfaces of said blade adjacent said forward edge of said spoiler flap terminate within 10% of said chord length of each other;
- wherein said spoiler flap can be pivoted to simultaneously raise said forward edge and lower said rearward edge of said spoiler flap.
In an aircraft wing of the type which includes a forward portion and a rearward portion, an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the improvement comprises:
- a braking device pivotably secured to said rearward portion of said wing;
- wherein said braking device comprises a spoiler flap having forward and rearward edges;
- wherein the distance between said forward and rearward edges of said flap is at least about 40% of the chord length of said wing;
- wherein said upper and lower surfaces of said wing adjacent said forward edge of said spoiler flap terminate within 10% of said chord length of each other;
- wherein said spoiler flap can be pivoted to simultaneously raise said forward edge and lower said rearward edge of said spoiler flap.
A method for controlling the flow of air over a turbine blade or wing, wherein said blade or wing includes a rearward portion, an upper surface and a lower surface;
- the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a spoiler flap having forward and rearward edges;
- wherein the distance between said forward and rearward edges is at least about 40% of the chord length of said blade or wing;
- (b) pivotably mounting said spoiler flap in said rearward portion of said blade or wing;
- wherein said upper and lower surfaces of said blade or wing adjacent said forward edge of said spoiler flap terminate within 10% of said chord length of each other;
- and
- (c) pivoting said spoiler flap to simultaneously raise said forward edge into the low pressure flow and lower said rearward edge into the high pressure flow.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.