Vibration-reducing and noise-reducing spoiler for helicopter rotors, aircraft wings, propellers, and turbine blades
First Claim
1. A replaceable spoiler for the trailing edges of blades and airfoils used for preventing the formation of an organized Karmen vortex on the top surface of the trailing edge where it would otherwise become a target for the next blade or airfoil entering the same air space and create undesired noise and vibration, said spoiler comprising:
- a substantially thin and elongated flap made from resilient and flexible material that bends with resistance and is capable of high-speed oscillating movement without permanent deformation, said flap also having a distal edge with a plurality of projections each comprising a shape and pitch different from the next adjacent one of said projections, with said projections collectively defining a non-repeating pattern of angular indentations that when attached to a trailing edge directs airflow under the trailing edge rearward and downward to create disorganized discharge that will not sustain vortex formation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A spoiler attached to helicopter main rotor blades, tail rotor blades, propellers, aircraft wings, and machined into turbine blades, that reduces vibration and silences their operation. Also, when added to a substantial part of the trailing edges of its rotor blades, the spoiler eliminates the repetitive pop-pop sound common to current helicopter flight. Preferably, the spoiler is made from durable resilient materials that bend with resistance for high speed oscillation and it is secured on the top or bottom side, or both, of the trailing edge of a blade or wing. Further, the free edge of the spoiler exhibits a non-repeating pattern of feather-like projections that collectively break up vortex formation so that the next wing or blade traveling through the same location has clean air/fluid in which to move. In addition to noise reduction, the spoiler increases blade efficiency and wing lift.
46 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A replaceable spoiler for the trailing edges of blades and airfoils used for preventing the formation of an organized Karmen vortex on the top surface of the trailing edge where it would otherwise become a target for the next blade or airfoil entering the same air space and create undesired noise and vibration, said spoiler comprising:
a substantially thin and elongated flap made from resilient and flexible material that bends with resistance and is capable of high-speed oscillating movement without permanent deformation, said flap also having a distal edge with a plurality of projections each comprising a shape and pitch different from the next adjacent one of said projections, with said projections collectively defining a non-repeating pattern of angular indentations that when attached to a trailing edge directs airflow under the trailing edge rearward and downward to create disorganized discharge that will not sustain vortex formation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for preventing the formation of an organized Karmen vortex on the top surface of the trailing edge where it would otherwise become a target for the next blade or airfoil entering the same air space and create undesired noise and vibration, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing a substantially thin and elongated flap made from resilient and flexible material that bends with resistance and is capable of high-speed oscillating movement without permanent deformation, said flap also having a distal edge with a plurality of projections each comprising a shape and pitch different from the next adjacent one of said projections, with said projections collectively defining a non-repeating pattern of angular indentations; and attaching said flap to a trailing edge so that said flap directs airflow under the trailing edge rearward and downward to create disorganized discharge that will not sustain vortex formation. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification