Curved Airfoil Geometry for Attached Flow Around Trailer Edges

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing airfoils face challenges in efficiently directing airflow around vehicles, particularly trailers, to reduce drag and improve aerodynamics, as they often rely on conventional shapes that do not effectively manage airflow changes across edges.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates airfoils with specific curved portions and geometries, including overhang and elliptic sections, that actively control turbulent eddies and utilize the Coanda effect to keep airflow attached, allowing for significant angle changes in airflow direction, such as from horizontal to vertical, thereby reducing drag.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If conventional airfoil shapes are used, then manufacturing is simpler, but airflow attachment is poor and drag is higher

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedragVSAvoidairfoil geometry complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The airfoil incorporates an overhang portion with curved surfaces that extend over the base portion, creating smooth transitions that guide airflow. The elliptic portions connect the base and overhang sections with continuous curvature, preventing flow separation and reducing turbulent eddies, thereby decreasing drag while maintaining a manufacturable geometry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Productivity

If airflow direction changes significantly, then aerodynamic performance improves, but flow separation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaerodynamic performanceVSAvoidflow attachment

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The airfoil is divided into distinct functional portions: a base portion for structural support, an overhang portion for guiding airflow over the top, and elliptic connecting portions for smooth transitions. This segmentation allows each section to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall flow attachment during direction changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The elliptic portions provide continuous curved transitions between the base and overhang sections, eliminating sharp angles that would cause flow separation. The curved geometry ensures smooth airflow attachment even when the flow direction changes significantly, maintaining reliable flow control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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

This design effectively reduces drag by maintaining airflow attachment and redirecting it efficiently around vehicle edges, enhancing aerodynamic performance and reducing void formation behind moving trailers.

Implementation Method 1

utilize the Coanda effect to keep airflow attached

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCoanda effect: Coanda Effect

Data Source

PatentUS12049260B2Airfoils and machines incorporating airfoils

Publication Date: 2024.07.30 ESS 2 TECH LLC

AI summary

Various embodiments of an airfoil and machines with airfoils are disclosed. The airfoils include a thicker leading airfoil portion and a thinner trailing airfoil portion. In one embodiment, the leading airfoil portion is formed by bending a body of the airfoil back toward itself. In another embodiment, the leading airfoil portion has a solid geometry and includes two elliptic surfaces. To prevent detachment of airflow, the leading airfoil portion includes at least two arc portions or surfaces that act to direct the airflow down to the trailing airfoil portion in a manner that stabilizes vortexes that may form in the region of changing thickness.