Fluidfoil tip vortex disruption

Abstract

A fluidfoil tip vortex disruption arrangement. There is a fluid inlet on a pressure side of the fluidfoil; and a fluid outlet in a low pressure region at or near the tip of the fluidfoil. Fluid exiting the fluid outlet inserts instability into a tip vortex to disrupt or destroy the vortex.

1 . A fluidfoil tip vortex disruption arrangement for a fluidfoil having a pressure side, a suction side, a tip and a root; the disruption arrangement comprising a fluid inlet on a pressure side of the fluidfoil; and a fluid outlet in a low pressure region at or near the tip of the fluidfoil, the fluid inlet coupled to the fluid outlet, whereby fluid exiting the fluid outlet during use of the fluidfoil inserts instability into a tip vortex to disrupt or destroy the vortex. 
     
     
         2 . A disruption arrangement as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the fluid outlet is located on a suction side of the fluidfoil. 
     
     
         3 . A disruption arrangement as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the fluid inlet is located towards the root of the fluidfoil. 
     
     
         4 . A disruption arrangement as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the fluid inlet is located at substantially the same distance from the tip as the fluid outlet. 
     
     
         5 . A disruption arrangement as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the fluid inlet is angled substantially in a chordal direction of the fluidfoil. 
     
     
         6 . A disruption arrangement as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the fluid inlet comprises a NACA duct. 
     
     
         7 . A disruption arrangement as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the fluid outlet comprises an aperture including vanes arranged to pre-swirl the fluid prior to exiting the fluid outlet. 
     
     
         8 . A disruption arrangement as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the fluid outlet comprises a plurality of apertures arranged to pre-swirl the fluid prior to exiting the fluid outlet. 
     
     
         9 . A disruption arrangement as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the fluid outlet comprises a plurality of apertures arranged to create an air curtain to increase the span of the fluidfoil. 
     
     
         10 . A disruption arrangement as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the fluid outlet comprises a plurality of apertures arranged to create an aerodynamic winglet at or near the tip of the fluidfoil. 
     
     
         11 . A disruption arrangement as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the fluidfoil comprises an aerofoil. 
     
     
         12 . A disruption arrangement as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the fluidfoil comprises a hydrofoil. 
     
     
         13 . A gas turbine engine comprising an arrangement as claimed in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         14 . A propeller comprising an arrangement as claimed in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         15 . A helicopter comprising an arrangement as claimed in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         16 . A wind turbine comprising an arrangement as claimed in  claim 1 .