Golf Club Head Crown Turbulators for Drag Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flow separation on golf club heads leads to increased drag, reducing the speed of the club head and the golf ball, due to the pressure differential between the front and rear surfaces, which affects the air flow velocity gradient and creates eddies and vortices.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating turbulators on the club head, such as ridges or strips with specific geometric patterns, to energize the boundary layer and delay airflow separation by creating turbulence, thereby maintaining airflow attachment for a longer distance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If air flows smoothly over the club head surface, then drag is reduced, but flow separation occurs prematurely causing increased pressure differential and drag
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of flow separation into a beneficial one by intentionally creating controlled turbulence through turbulators. The turbulators trip the boundary layer to become turbulent, which then adheres better to the club head surface, delaying separation and reducing pressure differential drag. This transforms the typically harmful turbulence into a useful mechanism for maintaining attached flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the flow regime parameter from laminar to turbulent by introducing turbulators. This parameter change in the boundary layer transitions it from a smooth, easily separable flow to a turbulent, energy-rich flow that resists separation longer, thereby reducing drag and maintaining club head speed.
2Loss of energy
If turbulators are added to delay flow separation, then drag is reduced and club head speed increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies turbulators only in specific locations on the club head where flow separation is most problematic, rather than modifying the entire surface. This localized application delays separation at critical areas while keeping the rest of the club head design simple and straightforward.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the club head surface into different zones, with turbulators applied only to specific segments where flow control is needed. This segmentation allows the complex flow control function to be isolated to specific areas, simplifying the overall design and manufacturing process.
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 turbulators reduce drag and enhance the speed of the club head and the golf ball by maintaining airflow attachment, leading to improved performance.
Implementation Method 1
Incorporating turbulators on the club head, specifically designed to delay airflow separation by creating turbulence within the boundary layer
Implementation Method 2
When air flows over a golf club head, viscous forces near the surface of the club head create a velocity gradient from the surface to the free stream region. Accordingly, air flow velocity near the surface may be relatively slow and gradually increases toward the free stream velocity, which is the air flow region where air velocity is not influenced by the club head. This velocity gradient region is called a boundary layer.
Implementation Method 3
Flow separation occurs when the boundary layer travels on the golf club head far enough against an adverse pressure gradient that the air flow velocity in the boundary layer relative to the surface of the club head falls almost to zero. The air flow becomes detached from the surface of the club head and takes the form of eddies and vortices.
Implementation Method 4
Flow separation may result in increased drag, which may be caused by the pressure differential between the front and rear surfaces of the club head. The increased drag may reduce the speed of the club head
Data Source
AI summary
A golf club head includes a crown surface having an apex at a highest point and extending between the face, the rear, the heel and the toe of the golf club head. The golf club head also includes a plurality of crown turbulators projecting from the surface of the crown and located at least partially between the leading edge and the apex, wherein the height of each turbulator decreases from the leading edge toward the rear portion.