B64C21/04

Methods of Dynamically Controlling Airflow Behind a Carrier Aircraft to Redirect Air Flow During an In-flight Recovery of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle and an Apparatus Therefor

An apparatus is provided for dynamically controlling airflow behind a carrier aircraft to redirect air flow during an in-flight recovery of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The apparatus comprises a frame attached to an end portion of an arm member extending from the carrier aircraft. The apparatus comprises a plurality of vanes disposed within the frame. Each vane is controllable between an opened position and a closed position to dynamically modify the airflow behind the carrier aircraft during the in-flight recovery of the UAV. Alternatively, or in addition to, the apparatus comprises a plurality of compressed air jets disposed on the frame, wherein each jet is controllable to provide active airflow to dynamically modify the airflow behind the carrier aircraft during the in-flight recovery of the UAV.

Methods of Dynamically Controlling Airflow Behind a Carrier Aircraft to Redirect Air Flow During an In-flight Recovery of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle and an Apparatus Therefor

An apparatus is provided for dynamically controlling airflow behind a carrier aircraft to redirect air flow during an in-flight recovery of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The apparatus comprises a frame attached to an end portion of an arm member extending from the carrier aircraft. The apparatus comprises a plurality of vanes disposed within the frame. Each vane is controllable between an opened position and a closed position to dynamically modify the airflow behind the carrier aircraft during the in-flight recovery of the UAV. Alternatively, or in addition to, the apparatus comprises a plurality of compressed air jets disposed on the frame, wherein each jet is controllable to provide active airflow to dynamically modify the airflow behind the carrier aircraft during the in-flight recovery of the UAV.

Ice protection and boundary layer suction system for an aircraft aerofoil
11667387 · 2023-06-06 · ·

A system for suction of the boundary layer of a wing and protection against icing of this wing includes a wall including micro-perforations and delimiting a leading edge extended by a pressure-side wall and by a suction-side wall. The system also includes a perforated tube running along the leading edge, an exhaust duction for sucking air from this tube in order to suck the boundary layer successively via the micro-perforations of the wall and via the perforations of the tube, and a supply duct for blowing hot air into this perforated tube during a phase of protection against icing, this hot air being discharged successively via the perforations of the tube and via the micro-perforations of the wall.

Ice protection and boundary layer suction system for an aircraft aerofoil
11667387 · 2023-06-06 · ·

A system for suction of the boundary layer of a wing and protection against icing of this wing includes a wall including micro-perforations and delimiting a leading edge extended by a pressure-side wall and by a suction-side wall. The system also includes a perforated tube running along the leading edge, an exhaust duction for sucking air from this tube in order to suck the boundary layer successively via the micro-perforations of the wall and via the perforations of the tube, and a supply duct for blowing hot air into this perforated tube during a phase of protection against icing, this hot air being discharged successively via the perforations of the tube and via the micro-perforations of the wall.

DEVICE FOR REDUCING AERODYNAMIC DISTURBANCES IN THE WAKE OF AN AERODYNAMIC PROFILE BY VARIABLE-DISTRIBUTION BLOWING ON THE TOP SIDE AND THE UNDERSIDE
20170313412 · 2017-11-02 ·

A device for reducing aerodynamic disturbances in the wake of an aerodynamic profile. The device comprises a first air ejection nozzle arranged on the top side of the profile and a second air ejection nozzle arranged on the underside of the profile. A first blowing chamber is fluidically connected to the first nozzle and a second blowing chamber is fluidically connected to the second nozzle. Air supply means are configured to vary the distribution of air between said first blowing chamber and second blowing chamber. The distribution of the blown air can thus be adapted depending on the situation in which the profile is used, for example depending on the flight phase of an aircraft equipped with such a profile. Also, an aerodynamic profile, a pylon supporting a propulsion assembly for an aircraft comprising such an aerodynamic profile, and an aircraft.

DEVICE FOR REDUCING AERODYNAMIC DISTURBANCES IN THE WAKE OF AN AERODYNAMIC PROFILE BY VARIABLE-DISTRIBUTION BLOWING ON THE TOP SIDE AND THE UNDERSIDE
20170313412 · 2017-11-02 ·

A device for reducing aerodynamic disturbances in the wake of an aerodynamic profile. The device comprises a first air ejection nozzle arranged on the top side of the profile and a second air ejection nozzle arranged on the underside of the profile. A first blowing chamber is fluidically connected to the first nozzle and a second blowing chamber is fluidically connected to the second nozzle. Air supply means are configured to vary the distribution of air between said first blowing chamber and second blowing chamber. The distribution of the blown air can thus be adapted depending on the situation in which the profile is used, for example depending on the flight phase of an aircraft equipped with such a profile. Also, an aerodynamic profile, a pylon supporting a propulsion assembly for an aircraft comprising such an aerodynamic profile, and an aircraft.

Thermally Controlled Active Flow Control System
20170297680 · 2017-10-19 ·

A method and apparatus are presented. An active flow control system comprises a flow control valve, a manifold, and a temperature control system. The flow control valve is configured to control a flow of air into the manifold. The manifold is operatively connected to a number of actuators. The temperature control system is configured to heat at least a portion of the flow of air.

Thermally Controlled Active Flow Control System
20170297680 · 2017-10-19 ·

A method and apparatus are presented. An active flow control system comprises a flow control valve, a manifold, and a temperature control system. The flow control valve is configured to control a flow of air into the manifold. The manifold is operatively connected to a number of actuators. The temperature control system is configured to heat at least a portion of the flow of air.

Propulsion system for an aerial vehicle
09789959 · 2017-10-17 · ·

The invention relates to a propulsion system concept that is a propulsion system that is integrated in the hull of an aerial vehicle (1), which propulsion concept comprises at least one differential velocity fan (4), which is arranged on a shaft driven by one or more power units (2). The propulsion concept is intended to provide short takeoff and landing distances, high flight speed (high subsonic to transsonic) and to be able to provide low IR signature, low radar signature, a small cross section and low air resistance. The propulsion concept is called HPVO (High Performance Optimized Versatile propulsion). The invention is useful both for air vehicles of the type for conventional takeoff and landing, “CTOL” (Conventional Take Off and Landing), “Chair” and for vertical takeoff and landing, “V (t) OL” (Vertical (Take) Off and Landing’) and the flying wing (blended-body). The concept is applicable to both large and small aircraft, manned as well as unmanned aerial vehicles.

Propulsion system for an aerial vehicle
09789959 · 2017-10-17 · ·

The invention relates to a propulsion system concept that is a propulsion system that is integrated in the hull of an aerial vehicle (1), which propulsion concept comprises at least one differential velocity fan (4), which is arranged on a shaft driven by one or more power units (2). The propulsion concept is intended to provide short takeoff and landing distances, high flight speed (high subsonic to transsonic) and to be able to provide low IR signature, low radar signature, a small cross section and low air resistance. The propulsion concept is called HPVO (High Performance Optimized Versatile propulsion). The invention is useful both for air vehicles of the type for conventional takeoff and landing, “CTOL” (Conventional Take Off and Landing), “Chair” and for vertical takeoff and landing, “V (t) OL” (Vertical (Take) Off and Landing’) and the flying wing (blended-body). The concept is applicable to both large and small aircraft, manned as well as unmanned aerial vehicles.