A system and method for optimizing winglet airfoil geometries in the presence of interference conditions at cruise Mach speeds. The method includes performing a first analysis on the airfoil at a first Mach speed and a second Mach speed greater than the first Mach speed. The analyses provide resultant values that can include any one or more of a coefficient of lift (CL), a coefficient of drag (CD), and a coefficient of pressure (CP). A desired pressure distribution curve on the airfoil can be specified based on the resultant values. An inverse analysis can then be performed to derive a modified airfoil geometry that corresponds to the desired pressure distribution. The modified airfoil geometry can be incorporated into a blended winglet and analyzed by way of running a CFD++ code to verify improved airfoil performance in a full airplane geometry.

An aircraft assembly with a hot air exhaust outlet. The aircraft assembly has an assembly surface over which a hot-air exhaust flow from the hot-air exhaust outlet is exhausted. The aircraft assembly also has a vortex generator with a flow surface. The flow surface lies in an air flow over the vortex generator. The flow surface is arranged to interrupt the hot-air exhaust flow and generates a flow vortex to cool the air flow over the assembly surface.

An aircraft assembly with a hot air exhaust outlet. The aircraft assembly has an assembly surface over which a hot-air exhaust flow from the hot-air exhaust outlet is exhausted. The aircraft assembly also has a vortex generator with a flow surface. The flow surface lies in an air flow over the vortex generator. The flow surface is arranged to interrupt the hot-air exhaust flow and generates a flow vortex to cool the air flow over the assembly surface.

A retractable vortex generator system for an aircraft. The system comprises a skin, a slot arranged on the skin, a plate comprising a contour configured for energizing the boundary layer of an air current, and driving means configured for rotating the plate between a first and a second position. In the first position at least part of the contour of the plate protrudes through the slot, and in the second position the plate is retracted within the slot.

A retractable vortex generator system for an aircraft. The system comprises a skin, a slot arranged on the skin, a plate comprising a contour configured for energizing the boundary layer of an air current, and driving means configured for rotating the plate between a first and a second position. In the first position at least part of the contour of the plate protrudes through the slot, and in the second position the plate is retracted within the slot.

A system for passive deployment of a vortex generator is disclosed, including a housing mounted at a fixed location relative to an airfoil structure and a piston contained in the housing. A vortex generator is moveably mounted adjacent an exterior surface of the airfoil structure, and is moveable between a stowed position inside the airfoil structure and a deployed position outside the airfoil structure. The piston is configured to drive the vortex generator between the stowed position and the deployed position in response to a pressure differential between a first airstream over a first surface of the airfoil structure and a second airstream over a second surface of the airfoil structure.

A system for passive deployment of a vortex generator is disclosed, including a housing mounted at a fixed location relative to an airfoil structure and a piston contained in the housing. A vortex generator is moveably mounted adjacent an exterior surface of the airfoil structure, and is moveable between a stowed position inside the airfoil structure and a deployed position outside the airfoil structure. The piston is configured to drive the vortex generator between the stowed position and the deployed position in response to a pressure differential between a first airstream over a first surface of the airfoil structure and a second airstream over a second surface of the airfoil structure.

An aircraft can include a first wing and a second wing. The first wing can extend laterally from an aircraft body to a first tip, and the second wing can extend laterally from the aircraft body to a second tip. The aircraft can include a first end effector and a second end effector, each including a fore winglet and an aft winglet. The fore and aft winglets of the first end effector can be pivotably connected to the first tip. The fore and aft winglets of the second end effector can be pivotably connected to the second tip. The fore and aft winglets of the first and second end effectors can be independently operable. The first and second end effectors can be independently operable. A processor can be operatively connected to control movement of the fore and aft winglets of the first and second end effectors.

An exemplary aircraft includes a wing positioned below a vertical rotor, the wing extending to an outboard end, and an anhedral winglet extending from the outboard end through an angular transition to a tip, the anhedral winglet having an external surface exposed to the rotor downwash and the external surface is contoured to generate local wing lift in response to the rotor downwash.

An exemplary aircraft includes a wing positioned below a vertical rotor, the wing extending to an outboard end, and an anhedral winglet extending from the outboard end through an angular transition to a tip, the anhedral winglet having an external surface exposed to the rotor downwash and the external surface is contoured to generate local wing lift in response to the rotor downwash.