Invention Application
- Patent Title: Scythe Wingtip Device
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Application No.: US18644280Application Date: 2024-04-24
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Publication No.: US20240375770A1Publication Date: 2024-11-14
- Inventor: Kelly Ray Laflin , Gonzalo Eduardo Mendoza , Corey Wailes Hagemeister
- Applicant: Textron Aviation Inc.
- Applicant Address: US KS Wichita
- Assignee: Textron Aviation Inc.
- Current Assignee: Textron Aviation Inc.
- Current Assignee Address: US KS Wichita
- Main IPC: B64C23/06
- IPC: B64C23/06

Abstract:
Wingtip devices configured to extend from the outboard ends of aircraft wings are designed to effectively reduce induced drag, but they necessarily produce form and skin-friction drag, and they may produce interference and compressibility drag. The present disclosure describes a scythe-shaped wingtip device (or ‘winglet’ or ‘extending member’) suitable for reducing the induced drag of an aircraft wing while minimizing other types of drag. A cutout in the wingtip device reduces the wetted area of the wingtip to minimize non-induced drag while the wingtip device still reduces induced drag like a conventional wingtip device. The cutout is configured in a trailing edge of the wingtip device.
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