Variable Camber Wing Profile with Kinematic Linkage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional centreboard and rudder profiles fail to automatically and progressively vary their camber and angle of attack in response to changing fluid directions and velocities, leading to sub-optimal performance and increased drag due to manual adjustments and lack of linked camber variation.
Innovation Solution
A device with a wing profile featuring a leading edge, trailing edge, and a seat connected by pivots and levers forming a closed kinematic loop, allowing for simultaneous and progressive variation of camber and angle of attack, utilizing flexible materials and joints to automatically adjust to lateral forces without human intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional centreboard or rudder profiles are used with fixed camber, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the performance is sub-optimal when lateral forces vary because camber cannot be varied in conjunction with angle of attack
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the wing profile's camber variable through a mechanical linkage system. The seat connected to the wing profile by pivots and levers allows the camber to dynamically adjust as the angle of attack changes, enabling the profile to adapt automatically to varying lateral forces rather than remaining fixed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service through the automatic adjustment mechanism where the wing profile's camber varies in response to changes in angle of attack without requiring external control. The mechanical linkage system (pivots and levers) causes the camber to self-adjust based on the lateral forces experienced, eliminating the need for manual intervention.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual adjustment devices for sails are used, then camber can be adjusted, but human intervention is required which is difficult to envisage in conditions with frequent variations in direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for manual adjustment by implementing a self-service system where the camber adjustment is automatically triggered by changes in angle of attack. The mechanical linkage (seat, pivots, and levers) ensures that as the wing profile rotates to change angle of attack, the camber automatically varies in response, making the system easy to operate under frequent directional changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback through the mechanical linkage system that responds to the angle of attack. As the lateral forces change and the wing profile rotates, the linkage mechanism detects this change and automatically adjusts the camber accordingly, creating a feedback loop that optimizes performance without human intervention.
3Productivity
If the leading edge orientation is fixed, then the structure is simple, but performance is lost when the direction and speed of the vehicle varies due to excessive or insufficient angles of attack
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the leading edge orientation variable through the seat and lever mechanism. As the vehicle's direction and speed vary, the mechanical linkage allows the leading edge to dynamically reorient itself, optimizing the angle of attack for different operating conditions rather than remaining fixed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by allowing both the camber and angle of attack to vary as functions of lateral force. The mechanical system changes these geometric parameters automatically in response to fluid dynamics conditions, optimizing performance across different vehicle speeds and directions without requiring complex external control systems.
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 device generates a beneficial lift force with a thrust component in the direction of travel and a drag component opposing sideslip, optimizing performance by automatically adjusting camber and angle of attack in response to fluid dynamics, reducing manual intervention and enhancing vehicle stability.
Implementation Method 1
The useful lift force produced by this wing is accompanied by an undesirable force, called drag... It is well known that the lift and drag forces increase as the angle of attack is increased... the speed difference and distance traveled by the fluid between the lower and upper surfaces of the profile which, according to Bernoulli's well-known equation, generates a pressure difference between the lower and upper surfaces of the profile
Implementation Method 2
It is also well known from the physical law of the change of momentum, that the change in direction of the fluid created by the profile generates a beneficial reaction force when the trailing edge is aligned with the direction of the force that it is desired to produce
Data Source
AI summary
A device for simultaneously and progressively varying the camber and the angle of attack of a hydrodynamic and aerodynamic profile of a wing, the latter being able to adopt multiple positions including a position at rest, the said profile at rest being in a plane, the device having a wing with a profile having a leading edge at the front and a trailing edge at the rear, a seat arranged in the upper part of the profile of the wing connected at one of its ends to the front upper part of the profile by a first pivot, and at its other end to a lever by a connection point, a lever connected to the rear upper part of the profile by a second pivot, and that at rest, a seat and at least one lever are aligned or substantially aligned along the same axis and are included in the same plane as the profile.