Method and apparatus for mitigating trailing vortex wakes of lifting or thrust generating bodies

Abstract

Disclosed are methods and apparatuses for mitigating the formation of concentrated wake vortex structures generated from lifting or thrust-generating bodies and maneuvering control surfaces wherein the use of contour surface geometries promotes vortex-mixing of high and low flow fluids. The methods and apparatuses can be combined with various drag reduction techniques, such as the use of riblets of various types and/or compliant surfaces (passive and active). Such combinations form unique structures for various fluid dynamic control applications to suppress transiently growing forms of boundary layer disturbances in a manner that significantly improves performance and has improved control dynamics.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A turbine comprising:
 a rotor comprising a plurality of blades,   wherein each of the plurality of blades comprises a leading edge and a trailing edge, and a plurality of extensions attached to the trailing edge of at least one of the plurality of blades,   wherein each of the plurality of extensions comprises two substantially parallel sides and a distal end.   
     
     
         2 . The turbine of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of extensions is substantially parallel to a chord of the at least one of a plurality of blades. 
     
     
         3 . The turbine of  claim 1 , wherein the distal end of each of the plurality of extensions is blunt. 
     
     
         4 . The turbine of  claim 3 , wherein the distal end of each of the plurality of extensions is substantially perpendicular to the two sides. 
     
     
         5 . The turbine of  claim 1 , wherein a ratio of the length of each extension to the width of each extension at a point of attachment to the trailing edge is at least 5. 
     
     
         6 . The turbine of  claim 5 , wherein a ratio of the length of each extension to the width of each extension at a point of attachment to the trailing edge is at least 7. 
     
     
         7 . The turbine of  claim 6 , wherein a ratio of the length of each extension to the width of each extension at a point of attachment to the trailing edge is at least 8. 
     
     
         8 . The turbine of  claim 1 , wherein each extension is rectangular. 
     
     
         9 . The turbine of  claim 1 , wherein each trailing edge further comprises serrations combined with the extensions. 
     
     
         10 . A wind turbine blade comprising:
 a plurality of extensions attached to a trailing edge of the wind turbine blade,   wherein each of the plurality of extensions comprises two substantially parallel sides and a distal end.   
     
     
         11 . The wind turbine blade of  claim 10 , wherein each of the plurality of extensions is substantially parallel to a chord of the wind turbine blade. 
     
     
         12 . The wind turbine blade of  claim 10 , wherein the distal end of each of the plurality of extensions is blunt. 
     
     
         13 . The wind turbine blade of  claim 12 , wherein the distal end of each of the plurality of extensions is substantially perpendicular to the two sides. 
     
     
         14 . The wind turbine blade of  claim 10 , wherein a ratio of the length of each extension to the width of each extension at a point of attachment to the trailing edge is at least 5. 
     
     
         15 . The wind turbine blade of  claim 14 , wherein a ratio of the length of each extension to the width of each extension at a point of attachment to the trailing edge is at least 7. 
     
     
         16 . The wind turbine blade of  claim 15 , wherein a ratio of the length of each extension to the width of each extension at a point of attachment to the trailing edge is at least 8. 
     
     
         17 . The wind turbine blade of  claim 10 , wherein each extension is rectangular. 
     
     
         18 . The wind turbine blade of  claim 10 , wherein the trailing edge further comprises serrations combined with the extensions. 
     
     
         19 . Attachments for trailing edges of turbine blades comprising:
 a plurality of extensions, each for attaching to a trailing edge of a wind turbine blade,   wherein each of the plurality of extensions comprises two substantially parallel sides and a distal end.   
     
     
         20 . The attachments of  claim 19 , wherein each of the plurality of extensions is positioned substantially parallel to a chord of the wind turbine blade. 
     
     
         21 . The attachments of  claim 19 , wherein the distal end of each of the plurality of extensions is blunt. 
     
     
         22 . The attachments of  claim 21 , wherein the distal end of each of the plurality of extensions is substantially perpendicular to the two sides. 
     
     
         23 . The attachments of  claim 19 , wherein a ratio of the length of each extension to the width of each extension at a point for attachment to the trailing edge is at least 5. 
     
     
         24 . The attachments of  claim 23 , wherein a ratio of the length of each extension to the width of each extension at a point for attachment to the trailing edge is at least 7. 
     
     
         25 . The attachments of  claim 24 , wherein a ratio of the length of each extension to the width of each extension at a point for attachment to the trailing edge is at least 8. 
     
     
         26 . The attachments of  claim 19 , wherein each extension is rectangular. 
     
     
         27 . The attachments of  claim 19 , wherein the attachments further comprise serrations combined with the extensions.