Supersonic Waverider Aerodynamic Body Design

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Aerospace vehicle designs face a trade-off between achieving high aerodynamic efficiency, represented by a high lift-to-drag ratio, and volumetric efficiency, as existing designs reach performance barriers that limit both maximum lift-to-drag ratios and structural efficiency at supersonic speeds.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates an upper axisymmetric body and a lower waverider surface derived from a shockwave generated by a second axisymmetric body, creating a hybrid shape that optimizes both aerodynamic efficiency and volumetric efficiency by maximizing lift-to-drag ratios and internal volume while minimizing surface area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If traditional aerodynamic body designs are used, then the structural weight is reduced, but the lift-to-drag ratio decreases at supersonic speeds

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural weightVSAvoidlift-to-drag ratio

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The aerodynamic body is divided into two distinct surfaces: an upper surface formed by a first axisymmetric body and a lower surface formed by a waverider shape derived from a second axisymmetric body. This segmentation allows each surface to be optimized for different aerodynamic functions, with the upper surface contributing to volumetric efficiency and the lower surface generating lift through shockwave utilization, thereby resolving the contradiction between structural weight and lift-to-drag ratio at supersonic speeds

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs asymmetric configuration by using different axisymmetric bodies for the upper and lower surfaces. The upper surface uses a first axisymmetric body while the lower surface uses a waverider derived from a second axisymmetric body, creating an asymmetric overall shape that optimizes both weight characteristics and aerodynamic performance at supersonic conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

2Use of energy by moving object

If high aerodynamic efficiency is pursued, then the lift-to-drag ratio increases, but the volumetric efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelift-to-drag ratioVSAvoidvolumetric efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the aerodynamic body are assigned different geometric qualities: the upper surface employs a first axisymmetric body configuration optimized for volumetric efficiency, while the lower surface uses a waverider shape derived from a second axisymmetric body optimized for lift generation. This local differentiation allows the body to achieve both high volumetric efficiency and high lift-to-drag ratio simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from conventional two-dimensional airfoil sections to three-dimensional axisymmetric bodies for both upper and lower surfaces. By using rotated surface profiles to generate volumetric shapes, the design achieves high volumetric efficiency while maintaining superior aerodynamic characteristics through the spatial utilization of shockwaves in the third dimension

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional body shapes are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but aerodynamic performance reaches a barrier

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidaerodynamic performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The waverider lower surface is designed by preliminary calculation of shockwave patterns generated by a second axisymmetric body. The surface geometry is pre-determined based on expected flight conditions and shockwave behavior, allowing the complex aerodynamic shape to be manufactured using modern computational design and additive manufacturing techniques, thus overcoming traditional manufacturing limitations while achieving superior aerodynamic performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 hybrid shape design significantly improves aerodynamic efficiency by increasing the maximum lift-to-drag ratio and volumetric efficiency, providing a greater than 29% improvement over traditional designs, enabling better fuel economy and structural lightweightness at supersonic speeds.

Implementation Method 1

The lower surface includes a waverider shape. The waverider shape is derived from a shockwave generated by a second axisymmetric body.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShockwave: Shock Wave

Data Source

PatentUS11535355B2Aerodynamic body for supersonic speed

Publication Date: 2022.12.27 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

An aerodynamic body includes an upper surface and a lower surface. The upper surface includes a first portion of a first axisymmetric body. The lower surface is mated with the upper surface. The lower surface includes a waverider shape. The waverider shape is derived from the shockwave generated by a second axisymmetric body.