Devices Relaminarize Turbulent Flows On Swept Wings

Abstract

Drag reduced economically. Devices are small discontinuities built into surfaces of wings. Range from angled to straight, saw-toothed to square, and with and without concave steps. Saw-toothed configuration built into wings of future airplanes. Square devices machined separately and retrofitted to existing supersonic airplanes. Designed to reduce total airplane drag by changing high-drag turbulent wing-leading-edge flow to low-drag laminar wing-leading-edge flow. Used primarily on high-speed airplanes, but also useful in reducing drag in other applications.