IP Library Granted Patent US 8,746,624
Granted Patent B2
US 8,746,624 · App. 12/471,991 · Granted Jun 10, 2014

Boundary layer control system and methods thereof

Inventor: David Birkenstock (Herndon, VA)
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,746,624
App. No.
12/471,991
Granted
Jun 10, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

An airfoil boundary layer control system may be provided. The airfoil boundary layer control system may include at least one airfoil that may include a first surface and a second surface coupled together at a leading edge and a trailing edge; at least one hollow chamber defined within the at least one airfoil; and an aperture defined in the airfoil and positioned substantially near the trailing edge, the aperture coupled in flow communication with the at least one hollow chamber; a pressure source coupled in flow communication with the at least one hollow chamber.

Claims (13)

1. A fuselage boundary layer control system comprising:

an aircraft comprising a fuselage;

a tail cone having a substantially conical shape and coupled to said fuselage such that an inlet is defined between said tail cone and said fuselage, said tail cone comprising:

a first surface having a substantially concave shape relative to an airflow passing over said fuselage; and

a hollow chamber defined in said tail cone;

a pressure source coupled to said tail cone and positioned within said hollow chamber, said pressure source coupled in flow communication with said inlet

a second surface having a substantially concave shape and positioned a radial distance from said first surface such that a second hollow chamber is defined between said first surface and said second surface; and

a conical aperture defined in said tail cone and in flow communication with said second hollow chamber.

2. The fuselage boundary layer control system of claim 1 further comprising an exhaust nozzle defined in said tail cone and coupled in flow communication with said hollow chamber.

3. The fuselage boundary layer control system of claim 1 wherein said pressure source comprises at least one of a jet engine, a fan assembly and a turbofan.

4. The fuselage boundary layer control system of claim 1 wherein said first surface is positioned with respect to an aft portion of said fuselage to facilitate increasing pressure thrust on said first surface.

5. The fuselage boundary layer control system of claim 1 further comprising a second pressure source coupled to said tail cone and positioned within second hollow chamber.

6. The fuselage boundary layer control system of claim 5 wherein said second pressure source comprises at least one of a jet engine, a fan assembly, a pressure fan and a turbofan.

Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 61071904 · May 23, 2008
Related Publication 20090289150A1 · Nov 26, 2009