Minimally intrusive wingtip vortex wake mitigation using inside-mold-line surface modifications

摘要

An airfoil tip 26 vortex mitigation device 10 comprising an intake port 12 disposed in a first surface 14 of an airfoil 16 and an exit port 18 in fluid communication with the intake port and disposed in a second surface 20 of the airfoil where air pressure is less than at the first surface when the airfoil is producing lift. The channel 22 and exit port are positioned and configured to direct diverted air in such a way as to weaken an airfoil tip vortex 24 that's produced by the airfoil when the airfoil is producing lift.