Golf Club Head Turbulators for Drag Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Golf club heads experience increased drag due to flow separation, which reduces the speed of the club and subsequently the golf ball, as air flow over the club head creates a boundary layer that detaches prematurely, leading to pressure differential and drag forces.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating turbulators on the club head, specifically ridges or projections on the crown, to trip the air flow and create turbulence within the boundary layer, delaying separation and moving it towards the aft region, thereby reducing drag forces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the club head surface is smooth, then manufacturing is easier, but air flow separation occurs prematurely causing increased drag

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclub head manufacturingVSAvoiddrag force

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by adding turbulators only to specific regions of the club head where boundary layer control is needed, rather than making the entire surface rough. The turbulators are strategically positioned on the crown and body of the club head to delay flow separation in critical areas while maintaining smooth surfaces elsewhere for ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful effect of boundary layer separation into a benefit by using turbulators to intentionally create controlled turbulence. This controlled turbulence energizes the boundary layer, preventing premature separation and reducing drag, thus turning what would be a harmful flow disturbance into a useful flow control mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If turbulators are added to delay flow separation, then drag is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrag forceVSAvoidclub head structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the club head surface into multiple zones with different turbulator configurations. Different regions have turbulators of varying sizes, shapes, and densities optimized for their specific flow conditions, allowing complex flow control to be achieved through modular, segmented design rather than a single complex structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses parameter changes by varying the geometric parameters of the turbulators (height, width, spacing, shape) to optimize their effectiveness. By adjusting these parameters, the patent achieves effective flow separation delay without requiring overly complex structures, as the same basic turbulator form can be optimized through parameter variation rather than structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 use of turbulators on the golf club head delays air flow separation, reducing drag forces and increasing the speed of the club and ball by maintaining air flow attachment for a longer distance, resulting in improved performance.

Implementation Method 1

ridges or projections on the crown, to trip the air flow and create turbulence within the boundary layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTurbulence: Turbulence

Implementation Method 2

air flow over the club head creates a boundary layer that detaches prematurely

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBoundary layer: 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

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlow separation: Flow Separation

Implementation Method 4

Flow separation occurs when the boundary layer travels on the golf club head far enough against an adverse pressure gradient

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS20250099823A1Golf club heads with turbulators and methods to manufacture golf club heads with turbulators

Publication Date: 2025.03.27 KARSTEN MFG CORP

AI summary

A golf club head including a face defining a loft plane, a rear, and a crown, the crown having a turbulator comprising a plurality of ridges. Each ridge includes a front surface having a first end nearest the face, a second end nearest the ridge apex, and a rear surface nearest the rear portion of the club head. The turbulator is positioned in a forward two-fifths portion of the crown in a front end to a rear end direction. The ridge apex of each ridge is positioned within the first 50% of the ridge length.