Importance

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Abstract

An improved winglet design is presented for aircraft wherein the winglet configuration is well suited for aircraft wings having moderate to no aft swept, or wings having forward swept. The winglets (302) are located at the outer end of each wing (300) and curve upwardly as they extend outwardly from their intersection (304) with the wings (300). The curvature profile (303) of the winglets (302) when viewed from the rear (or front) of the aircraft at least approximates a specified curve profile made up of more than one curved section, e.g. the winglet trailing edge profile (305) having a perpendicular projection onto a plane normal to the winglet inner or root chord (342), said projection creating a winglet profile curve approximating a compound curve composed of two arc segment (306, 307). The two arc segments are tangent to each other at there point of connection (306b, 307a) wherein the arc segment (306) at the lower portion of the winglet connects to the outer end of the wing (300) and is tangent with the wing's reference plane (331). This lower arc segment (306) of the winglet profile connects to and is tangent with a second and arc segment (307) forming the profile of the upper portion of the winglet (302). A unique design specification for the plan form or developed shape of the winglet that is suitable for wings having nominal (less than 15 degrees) aft sweep, or have neutral, or forward sweep is also provided.

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First Claim