High efficiency hydrofoil and swim fin designs
US5746631A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 11, 1996 |
| Grant date | May 5, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 11, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB63H25/382
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Methods are disclosed for increasing lift and decreasing drag on hydrofoils and swim fins. These methods include providing a hydrofoil with a highly swept back leading edge portion and orienting the hydrofoil at a significantly reduced angle of attack in which the reduced angle of attack occurs at an angle that is substantially transverse to the hydrofoil's direction of movement through a surrounding fluid medium. The lee surfaces of the hydrofoil are provided with a substantially unobstructed flow path as well as a separation reducing contour so as to permit lift generating attached flow conditions to form along such lee surfaces. Substantially rigid structural reinforcement is provided to prevent the hydrofoil from deforming significantly during use. Methods are disclosed for providing a hydrofoil with a substantially longitudinal recess or venting system located substantially along the center axis of the hydrofoil. The attacking surfaces of such a hydrofoil are provided with an anhedral contour that forms a substantially lengthwise channel with the recess or venting means located along the center axis of this lengthwise channel. Methods are disclosed for applying these lift gene…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.