Multi-element airfoil system

US8763958B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

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

Inventors

• Travis L. Turner · Yorktown, US
• Mehdi R. Khorrami · Norfolk, US
• David P. Lockard · Hampton, US
• Martin J. McKenney · Virginia Beach, US
• Raymond D. Atherley · Norfolk, US
• Reggie T. Kidd · Hampton, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 18, 2012
• Grant date: Jul 1, 2014
• Expiry date: Feb 23, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02T50/30
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A multi-element airfoil system includes an airfoil element having a leading edge region and a skin element coupled to the airfoil element. A slat deployment system is coupled to the slat and the skin element, and is capable of deploying and retracting the slat and the skin element. The skin element substantially fills the lateral gap formed between the slat and the airfoil element when the slat is deployed. The system further includes an uncoupling device and a sensor to remove the skin element from the gap based on a critical angle-of-attack of the airfoil element. The system can alternatively comprise a trailing edge flap, where a skin element substantially fills the lateral gap between the flap and the trailing edge region of the airfoil element. In each case, the skin element fills a gap between the airfoil element and the deployed flap or slat to reduce airframe noise.