Oscillating flap lift enhancement device

• US 5,884,872 A
• Filed: 08/30/1995
• Issued: 03/23/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Original Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Inventors: Greenhalgh, Samuel
• Primary Examiner(s): Barefoot, Galen L.
• Application Number:
  US08/528,622
• Time in Patent Office: 1,301 Days
• Field of Search: 244/204, 244/205, 244/198, 244/75 R, 244/11, 244/72, 244/60, 244/62
• US Class Current: 244/201
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 9/02 Mounting or supporting thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 9/30 Balancing hinged surfaces, e.g. dynamically
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/30 Wing lift efficiency

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.

Claims

1. 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.

2. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein said flap oscillates through an angle of up to +/-12 degrees.

3. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein said flap oscillates at a frequency of up to 70 hertz.

4. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein said flap oscillates through an angle of up to +/-12 degrees and at a frequency of up to 70 hertz.

5. 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.

6. The method defined in claim 5, wherein said rearwardly portion oscillates at a frequency of up to 70 hertz.

7. The method defined in claim 5, wherein said rearwardly portion oscillates through an angle of up to +/-12 degrees.

8. The method defined in claim 5, wherein said rearwardly portion oscillates at a frequency of up to 70 hertz and oscillates through an angle of up to +/-12 degrees.