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:
Sep. 28, 2004
Filed:
Sep. 10, 2002
Kevin W. Beyer, Seattle, WA (US);
Stephen J. Fox, Everett, WA (US);
Douglas S. Lacy, Bothell, WA (US);
Seiya Sakurai, Seattle, WA (US);
The Boeing Company, Seattle, WA (US);
Abstract
Methods and apparatuses for controlling airflow with a leading edge device having a flexible flow surface. In one embodiment, the airfoil includes a first portion having a first flow surface and a second flow surface facing opposite from the first flow surface. The second portion of the airfoil has a leading edge and is movably coupled to the first position. The second portion can move between a first position and a second position offset from the first position by an angle of from about 45° to about 90° or more. The second portion includes a flexible flow surface having a first shape when the second portion is in the first position and a second shape different than the first shape when the second portion is in the second position. A guide structure can be coupled between the first portion and the second portion. In another embodiment, the airfoil can have inbound and outbound leading edge portions with an inbound guide structure having a first mechanical arrangement and an outbound guide structure having a second mechanical arrangement different than the first.