Device for controlling a vortex trail generated by the oblong element of an aircraft bearing surface
View Patent ↗A device for controlling a vortex trail generated by an oblong element of an aircraft bearing surface includes a control component arranged on a fixing element of the oblong element and on a bearing surface such that a base of the control component contacts the leading edge of the bearing surface. The control component has a triangular shape, on a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis thereof, whose two adjacent sides form flanks interconnected by a rounded edge.
1. A control device on the suction-face side of a lift-generating surface of an aircraft for controlling at least one vortex trail generated by at least one oblong element which is mounted under this lift-generating surface protruding partially beyond the leading edge of said lift-generating surface in the upstream direction, said device comprising at least one control means:
which is arranged at the level of said oblong element; and
which has an elongate shape, its longitudinal axis being substantially parallel to a local fluid flow and its upstream end being pointed,
wherein said control means:
is produced in the form of a point which is triangular both when viewed from the side and when viewed from the top;
is arranged both on a fixing element used to secure the oblong element and on the lift-generating surface in such a way that the base of said point, which corresponds to its downstream end, is brought into contact with the leading edge of said lift-generating surface; and
has a shape which is substantially triangular in a plane perpendicular to said longitudinal axis and which has a first side intended to come into contact with said fixing element and two adjacent sides forming flanks, said flanks being joined together by a rounded edge.
2. The control device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said control mean has, when viewed from above, a triangular shape in which, on the one hand, the length L of the side facing the fixing element and, on the other hand, the length l of the side in contact with the lift-generating surface satisfy the following relationship:
L≧l≧L/ 10.
3. The control device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein it comprises two control means which are positioned one on each side of the fixing element.
4. The control device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said fixing element corresponds to said oblong element which is fixed directly under said lift-generating surface.
5. The control device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said fixing element corresponds to a support allowing said oblong element to be fixed under said lift-generating surface.
6. An aircraft equipped with at least one lift-generating surface, wherein it comprises a control device like the one specified in claim 1 .