Patent · US Active

Staggered periodic riblets

US12270424B2 · kind B2 · utility

0Cited by

34References

14Claims

0Family size

Assignee

Lockheed Martin Corporation · US

Inventors

Brian R. Smith · Colleyville, US
Patrick J. Yagle · Fort Worth, US
Paul D. McClure · Fort Worth, US

Key dates

Filing date	Aug 21, 2019
Grant date	Apr 8, 2025
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Aug 21, 2039

Classification

Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
CPC primaryY02T50/60
WIPO fieldMechanical elements
WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

In one embodiment, a method for reducing drag includes forming first periodic riblets on a smooth surface of a physical object and forming second periodic riblets on the smooth surface of the physical object. The method further includes generating a flow over the first and second periodic riblets of the physical object. Each first periodic riblet comprises a first transition region at a first end of each first periodic riblet and a second transition region at a second end of each first periodic riblet. Each second periodic riblet comprises a first transition region at a first end of each second periodic riblet and a second transition region at a second end of each second periodic riblet. Each second transition region at the second end of each first periodic riblet overlaps each first transition region at the first end of each second periodic riblet. A length of each riblet of the first and second periodic riblets runs parallel to a direction of the flow.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.