The outer skin (100) of an aerodynamic body (40) has perforations (200) arranged in particular patterns in respective spanwise extending groups or bundles (250). Each perforation is preferably a micro-slot with a length of 100 to 3000 .mu.m and a width of 50 to 250 .mu.m. Air is sucked through the micro-slots from the boundary layer flowing over the outer skin, to achieve boundary layer control. In each bundle, the pattern, size, orientation, and other parameters of the micro-slots are designed to achieve mutual destructive interference of flow disturbances arising due to the suction, to minimize the excitation of flow instabilities in the boundary layer. Particularly, the spatial spectrum of the perforation pattern of a given bundle is essentially absent of significant energy at predetermined wavelengths of predetermined flow instabilities that otherwise appear in the boundary layer air flow. The aerodynamic body further includes supporting ribs (300) extending parallel to the perforation bundles (250) and a perforated inner plate (400) providing a throttling control of the suction flow through groups of the bundles.
This information is part of a study by Oasis Global, Inc. of all space inventions filed at the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and is provided for informational purposes only. It is not an endorsement of any particular assignee, inventor or invention. Although Peter A. Koziol represents inventors and assignees of space inventions he does not represent all of the inventors and assignees listed. The prosecuting attorney agent or firm for each patent is identified by the United States Patent and Trademark Office in the patent specfication, which can be viewed by clicking on the patent image or downloading the patent document. For more information regarding Mr. Koziol's background and experience, or to learn more about space inventions, please contact Mr. Koziol.
Enter your name and phone number, and Peter will call you back as soon as possible.
Disclaimer: The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements. Before you decide, ask us to send you free written information about our qualifications and experience. Read More >