Thomas Ian Linehan

US Patent:

20200247538, Aug 6, 2020

Filed:

Dec 10, 2019

Appl. No.:

16/709227

Inventors:

- Gainesville FL, US
Thomas I. Linehan - Gainesville FL, US

International Classification:

B64C 39/02
B64C 9/26

Abstract:

A vehicle, such as a micro-aerial vehicle or underwater vehicle, includes at least one lift structure, such as a low-aspect-ratio wing or a fin, respectively. The at least one lift structure comprises one or more alulas. A leading surface of each alula is (a) flush with a leading surface of the lift structure or (b) offset from the leading edge of the lift surface by up to approximately 10% of the chord length of the lift structure. The length of each alula is no more than approximately 20% of a lift structure length corresponding to the lift structure. In various embodiments, the alula is deflected or canted with respect to a plane defined by the lift structure. In an example embodiment, the alulas may be slid or translated along at least a portion of the span of the lift structure.