Patent · US Expired

Supersonic aircraft and method

US5348256A · kind A · utility

38Cited by
14References
25Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMay 13, 1992
Grant dateSep 20, 1994
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 13, 2012

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02T50/10
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A supersonic aircraft having highly swept subsonic leading edge portions of the wings provided with boundary layer control suction slots. When the airplane is operating at high angles of attack under circumstances where noise is objectionable, air is drawn in through the suction strips to alleviate separated air flow and substantially eliminate (or at least alleviate) vortices that would otherwise develop over the upper wing surface. This improves the L/D ratio and permits the engines to be at a lower power setting, thus alleviating noise. There are shown a double delta planform configuration, and an arrow plan form configuration. Also, the boundary layer control suction can be used in conjunction with laminar flow control suction.

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