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US 5,884,872 AGranted
Oscillating flap lift enhancement device
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorSamuel Greenhalgh
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A lift enhancing device for a solid wing is disclosed wherein a where a mr driven, flap dynamically oscillating flap mechanism produces an increase in the lifting capabilities of the wing.
Claims8
An apparatus for increasing the lift of an aircraft comprising:
- a) a wing having a leading edge and a trailing edge, the wing capable of providing lift;
- b) a flap having a leading edge and a trailing edge, the leading edge of the flap pivotally attached to said trailing edge of said wing;
- c) means for oscillating said flap;
- wherein said wing, said flap and said oscillating means communicate to maintain said flap in a predetermined stationary position at angles of attack less than 10 degrees and cause said flap to oscillate at angles of attack equal to or greater than 10 degrees.
1 more element
A method for increasing the lift of an airfoil, the airfoil having a fixed forwardly portion for providing lift and a rearwardly portion for oscillating, the rearwardly portion pivotally attached to the forwardly portion, and also having means for oscillating said rearwardly portion, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) maintaining said rearwardly portion in a fixed relationship with respect to said forwardly portion at angles of attack less than 10 degrees;
- b) oscillating said rearwardly portion with respect to said forwardly portion at angles of attack equal to or greater than 10 degrees.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.