US 11,884,381 B2
High efficiency low power (HELP) active flow control methodology for simple-hinged flap high-lift systems
John C. Lin, Seaford, VA (US); Latunia P. Melton, Yorktown, VA (US); Mehti Koklu, Hampton, VA (US); and Marlyn Y. Andino, Newport News, VA (US)
Assigned to United States of America as represented by the Administrator of NASA, Washington, DC (US)
Filed by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE ADMINISTRATOR OF NASA, Washington, DC (US)
Filed on Apr. 23, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/238,443.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/014,433, filed on Apr. 23, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2021/0331784 A1, Oct. 28, 2021
Int. Cl. B64C 9/02 (2006.01); B64C 9/16 (2006.01); B64C 9/18 (2006.01); B64C 21/04 (2023.01); B64C 13/40 (2006.01); B64D 41/00 (2006.01)
CPC B64C 13/40 (2013.01) [B64C 9/02 (2013.01); B64C 9/16 (2013.01); B64C 9/18 (2013.01); B64C 21/04 (2013.01); B64D 41/00 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A simple-hinged flap assembly for a winged aircraft, comprising:
a simple-hinged flap having a leading airfoil section that is pivotably connected to a trailing airfoil section via an intervening hinge; and
an active flow control (AFC) actuator assembly connected to or integrally formed with the simple-hinged flap, the AFC actuator assembly including:
a row of preconditioning upstream AFC actuators collectively configured to provide a first outlet mass flowrate, wherein the row of preconditioning upstream AFC actuators is arranged in a spanwise direction of a wing of the winged aircraft, and the first outlet mass flowrate preconditions a boundary layer of a natural flow around the simple-hinged flap assembly before flow separation when the winged aircraft is in flight; and
a row of downstream AFC actuators spaced apart from the row of preconditioning upstream AFC actuators, wherein the row of downstream AFC actuators is arranged in a spanwise direction of the wing of the winged aircraft, and is configured to provide a second outlet mass flowrate that substantially exceeds the first outlet mass flowrate, wherein the second outlet mass flowrate controls separation of the natural flow over the wing of the winged aircraft when the winged aircraft is in flight.