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Flipperons for Improved Aerodynamic Performance Print E-mail
Langley Research Center, Hampton, Virginia   
Apr 30 2008
Page 2 of 2
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The prototype AFC system includes not only flipperons but also flipperon-displacement position sensors, a power subsystem, and a control subsystem. For initial tests, the flipperons were installed on the upper surface of a standard airfoil (wing) model at the flap hinge (see Figure 2). The model was mounted in a low-speed wind tunnel at the University of Arizona, where the tests were performed. The tests included measurements of customary aerodynamic-performance parameters (e.g., coefficients of lift and drag) at various angles of attack and airspeeds. During these tests, the flipperons were actuated at various amplitudes, frequencies, and phases.

Image
Figure 2. Flipperons on the Upper Surface of a wing are made to oscillateat amplitude, frequency, and phase chosen to obtain increased lift andreduced drag.
The tests showed that with appropriate actuation of flipperons, lift was increased and drag reduced, by amounts of the order of a percent. Data from these tests were then used to estimate the benefits that could be obtained by adding flipperon-based AFC systems to transport airplanes in two tests cases. In one case, it was found that the addition of the flipperons to the vertical stabilizer of a Boeing 777 (or equivalent) airplane would make it possible to reduce the size of the vertical stabilizer, thereby reducing the drag, by an amount sufficient to enable a reduction of fuel consumption by as much as 1.7 percent. In another case, it was found that by exploiting the ability of a flipperonbased AFC system to delay the onset of stall, one could safely increase the angle of attack (thereby increasing lift) while reducing the size of the wings (thereby reducing the weight) of a blended-wing/ body airplane by an amount sufficient to enable a reduction of fuel consumption by as much as 0.6 percent.

This work was done by James H. Mabe of The Boeing Co. for Langley Research Center.

This Brief includes a Technical Support Package (TSP).

Flipperons for Improved Aerodynamic Performance (reference LAR-17172-1) is currently available for download from the TSP library.

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