Back to results
US 9,789,956 B2Granted
Vortex generators responsive to ambient conditions
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsAnat Bordoley, Brian J. Tillotson, Michael Chih-Huan Wang, Dan J. Clingman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A deployable vortex generator attached to a lifting surface includes a vane moveable relative to the lifting surface. The vane moves from a deployed position to a retracted position in response to a change in ambient conditions. In the deployed position, the vane acts on the air flow to create vortices. In the retracted position, the vane is closely aligned with the free stream velocity.
Claims9
A vortex generator attached to a lifting surface, comprising:
- a mount attached to the lifting surface, wherein the mount includes a cylindrical pin defining a rotational axis;
- a vane pivotably coupled to the mount such that the vane is pivotable about the rotational axis to move relative to the lifting surface, wherein the vane is configured to pivot about the longitudinal axis in response to a change in an ambient condition;
- and
- at least one of a spring and a flexure attached between the vane and one of the mount and the lifting surface.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.