Externally supported foil with reversible camber and variable chord length
US9175702B1 · kind B1 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 18, 2012 |
| Grant date | Nov 3, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 4, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02T50/10
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An externally supported foil with reversible camber and variable chord length is described that allows a thin foil of efficient deformed shape to generate lift equally on opposite angles of attack to a fluid flow. The foil is supported at the leading and trailing edges to ribs that are in turn connected to spanwise spars forming an external structure attachable to a body. The foil is held by leading edge hinge(s) and trailing edge elastic membrane(s) along the span or at the ribs. Membrane pretension keeps the foil taut while generating no lift when parallel to a flow. When rotated by an external mechanism to generate an angle of attack, the membrane stretches due to the differential pressures generated on the foil surface; thereby, passively increasing the chord length and camber. Rib cutouts dictate the deformed aerodynamic or hydrodynamic foil shape that then generates lift.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.