#1197: Aeroskin

Today’s invention is an enhancement to existing aerofoil design.

A motor powers a set of sprocket wheels embedded within the body of an aircraft wing, near the leading edge. This drives a carbon fibre belt, which moves as shown.

This arrangement speeds the flow over the top surface of the aerofoil, without increasing drag on its lower surface, resulting in a significant increase in lift without a large weight increase.

(It also helps reduce ice build-up on wing surfaces).

One Comment:

  1. Here’s a version someone else thought up (but without the flow-smoothing belt)
    http://www.fanwing.com/desc.htm

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