Aircraft Air Discharge Grid Reducing Parasitic Drag
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft air discharge systems generate parasitic drag and inefficient thrust recovery due to surface defects and differential head differences, which increase fuel consumption and reduce aerodynamics.
Innovation Solution
A grid-type air discharge device with inclined deflectors and longitudinal reinforcements is integrated into the aerodynamic surface, optimizing the arrangement and dimensions of openings and intermediate zones to reduce pressure, surface defects, and parasitic drag, while enhancing thrust recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a dynamic-type discharge with a bulge is used to reduce differential heads and maximize thrust recovery, then thrust recovery is improved, but parasitic drag increases significantly due to surface defects
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge surface is segmented into multiple discrete openings arranged in a grid pattern, replacing the continuous bulge structure. This segmentation allows the air flow to be distributed across multiple smaller outlets, reducing the overall surface defect while maintaining thrust recovery through proper arrangement and sizing of individual openings.
Solution Approach 2:
The grid openings are equipped with local deflectors that have specific orientations and inclination angles tailored to local flow conditions. This local quality optimization allows each opening to efficiently direct air flow while minimizing local surface defects, thereby reducing overall parasitic drag while maintaining effective thrust recovery.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a leveling-type grid discharge is used to reduce surface defects and parasitic drag, then parasitic drag is reduced, but differential head and thrust recovery capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The grid configuration incorporates deflectors with specific inclination angles that dynamically optimize the air flow direction. The deflectors are designed with angles between 10-45 degrees relative to the discharge surface normal, allowing the system to adaptively manage the balance between reducing surface defects and maintaining adequate differential head for effective air discharge and thrust recovery.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention optimizes key parameters including the number, size, arrangement, and inclination angles of grid openings and deflectors. By carefully adjusting these parameters, the system achieves an optimal balance where surface defects are minimized for reduced parasitic drag, while differential head is maintained at sufficient levels through proper opening geometry and deflector positioning to ensure effective thrust recovery.
3Productivity
If the number and size of openings are increased to improve air discharge efficiency, then air flow rate is improved, but surface defects increase and parasitic drag increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using fewer large openings that would create significant surface defects, the invention segments the discharge area into multiple smaller openings arranged in a grid pattern. This segmentation increases the total air discharge efficiency by distributing the flow across multiple outlets while keeping each individual opening small enough to minimize surface defects and associated parasitic drag.
Solution Approach 2:
The grid arrangement distributes openings across a two-dimensional surface area rather than concentrating discharge points. This dimensional distribution allows the system to achieve high air discharge efficiency through increased total outlet area while maintaining small individual opening sizes that minimize surface defects, effectively trading spatial distribution for reduced parasitic drag.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution reduces differential heads, parasitic drag, and increases thrust by directing exiting air closer to the outside flow, improving aerodynamic efficiency and reducing fuel consumption.
Implementation Method 1
the ideal is to eject the air in the direction of the outside air flow, with a high ejection rate so as to maximize the thrust force modulus
Implementation Method 2
each opening 12 comprises a deflector 16 that is oriented toward the inside and inclined so as, on the one hand, to direct the exiting air that is indicated by the arrows 18 in a direction that is close to that of the outside air flow 20
Data Source
AI summary
An air discharge device includes a grid that is connected to an aerodynamic surface of an aircraft. The grid includes a number of openings delimited by intermediate zones that are arranged in the extension of the aerodynamic surface of the aircraft and at least one longitudinal reinforcement separating the openings into at least two stages. The dimensions and/or the surface ratio of the perforated zones that correspond to openings and non-perforated zones that correspond to intermediate zones or to the longitudinal reinforcement are such that they create a depression close to the air discharge.