The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 04, 1997
Filed:
Dec. 15, 1994
Saeed Farokhi, Lawrence, KS (US);
Ray R Taghavi, Lawrence, KS (US);
University of Kansas Center for Research Inc., Lawrence, KS (US);
Abstract
A vortex generator for attenuating flow separation which occur during supersonic flow of air over structure such as an aircraft airfoil, its fuselage, surfaces forming a part of a jet propulsion unit, turbine or compressor blades, or similar surfaces subjected to supersonic airflow. A series of vortex generators are provided each of which comprises a cavity in the component over which the supersonic air is flowing that is configured to generate a spiral vortex which attenuates flow separation and weight drag resulting from the supersonic airflow. Each cavity is of generally triangular configuration defined by two side walls which diverge in a direction away from the apex of the triangular cavity, and a flat bottom wall joined to the side walls. In an alternate embodiment, means is provided for selectively shifting the bottom wall from a retracted inner position, to an outer location essentially flush with the surface over which the supersonic airflow is occurring.