Geometries for roughness shapes in laminar flow

US4619423A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration · US

Inventors

• Bruce J. Holmes · Williamsburg, US
• Glenn L. Martin · Newport News, US
• Christopher S. Domack · Hampton, US
• Clifford J. Obara · Poquoson, US
• Ahmed A. Hassan · Mesa, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 10, 1983
• Grant date: Oct 28, 1986
• Expiry date: Nov 10, 2003

Classification

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

Abstract

This invention is for a passive laminar flow airfoil which has an upper skin 12 and lower skin 14 joined at a trailing edge 16. A leading edge structure 20, such as de-icing equipment, is joined to the upper and lower skins by interface mechanisms 30 and 35. Generally, the interface mechanisms are forward facing steps, with or without adjacent gaps, shaped and dimensioned to accomplish laminar flow using standard airfoil manufacturing techniques.