ACTIVE FLOW CONTROL DEVICES FOR AIRCRAFT WINGS

• Main Author: JENARO RABADAN Guillermo
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 21.12.2017
• Subjects: AEROPLANES; AIRCRAFT; ARRANGEMENTS OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSIONTRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS; EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLYING SUITS; HELICOPTERS; PARACHUTES; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING

An aircraft wing incorporating an active flow control (AFC) device The AFC device comprises a fluid chamber housed in the wing providing a conduit for receiving fluid and accommodating the fluid at elevated pressure. Forward and rearward fluid channels having respective inlets and outlets are also provided, wherein the inlets are in fluid communication with the fluid chamber and the outlets emerge on the upper surface of the wing at or adjacent the leading edge. A valve assembly allows the channels to be opened and closed as desired. During flight, fluid at elevated pressure can be supplied to the fluid chamber and released through either the forward or the rearward fluid channel or both, so as to influence the air flow, e.g., to reduce or increase lift, or to equalize pressure in the air stream direction.