Aircraft winglet

摘要

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a winglet for an end or tip of an aircraft wing. The winglet includes an inner portion that curves upward having a large radius of curvature near the wing, a middle portion having a small radius of curvature forming a bend, and an outer portion having a large radius of curvature extending to a tip of the winglet. The winglet lowers induced drag of the wing and improves aircraft performance especially for wing tip extensions that extend upwards about equal to or slightly more than outwards.

主权项

1. An aircraft winglet, comprising:
a wing tip extension projecting outward from an end of a wing and curving upward from the wing, the winglet having an inner portion with a first radius of curvature near the wing, a middle portion having a second radius of curvature forming a bend, and an outer portion having a third radius of curvature extending to a tip of the winglet; wherein the first and third radius of curvature are each larger than the second radius of curvature and the third radius of curvature is larger than the first radius of curvature.