Laminar flow panel

US10556670B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Boeing Company · US

Inventors

• Henry J. Koppelman · Seattle, US
• Michael Klein · Bielefeld, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 12, 2016
• Grant date: Feb 11, 2020
• Expiry date: Aug 26, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02T50/10
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An aerodynamic body operable to both promote laminar flow and satisfy structural requirements is disclosed. A perforated panel skin comprises an inner surface and an outer surface of the aerodynamic body. A micro-lattice support structure is coupled to the inner surface and defines airflow gaps allowing suctioning of air from the outer surface through the perforated panel skin and into a plenum of the aerodynamic body. Rows of main beams of the micro-lattice support structure are aligned along land lines oriented in a substantially chord-wise direction relative to an airflow over the aerodynamic body.