Importance

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Abstract

Arrays of microslats operating within the boundary layer of an aircraft wing or other surfaces are provided. The arrays consist of rows of microslats, staggered between rows, and shaped so that the trailing edge of the microslat is normal or perpendicular to the direction of expected reverse flow on the surface. For flow regions having directionally stable flow, the microslats are rectangular. Where the direction of the expected reverse flow is variable, the trailing edge of the microslats is triangular, thereby accepting an angular range of reverse flow. Each microslat operates independently through a hinge on its leading edge and an individual spring which holds the microslat flush to the aerodynamic surface until actuated by reverse flow. Where the boundary layer is expected to thicken, i.e., downstream along a surface, the arrays are formed with two layers of microslats, smaller microslats in a top layer and larger in a bottom layer. By this arrangement, while the boundary layer is thin, only the top layer is actuated, but as the boundary layer grows larger, the second layer is actuated, thereby restricting reverse flow even in thick boundary layers.

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First Claim