Vortilon
Encyclopedia
Vortilons are fixed aerodynamic
devices used to increase lift
and reduce stalling
at low speeds. They consist of one or more flat plates attached to the underside of the wing
near its leading edge, roughly parallel to normal airflow. They function as vortex generator
s, and these vortices restrict airflow along the length of the wing. The can also be used to improve low speed aileron
performance. The pylon used to mount jet engine
s under the wing produces a similar effect. Vortilons may be preferred to wing fence
s as producing less drag at higher speeds.
Vortilons were introduced in the McDonnell Douglas DC-9
to overcome deep stalling issues. They have been used on a number of subsequent aircraft, including:
Aerodynamics
Aerodynamics is a branch of dynamics concerned with studying the motion of air, particularly when it interacts with a moving object. Aerodynamics is a subfield of fluid dynamics and gas dynamics, with much theory shared between them. Aerodynamics is often used synonymously with gas dynamics, with...
devices used to increase lift
Lift (force)
A fluid flowing past the surface of a body exerts a surface force on it. Lift is the component of this force that is perpendicular to the oncoming flow direction. It contrasts with the drag force, which is the component of the surface force parallel to the flow direction...
and reduce stalling
Stall (flight)
In fluid dynamics, a stall is a reduction in the lift coefficient generated by a foil as angle of attack increases. This occurs when the critical angle of attack of the foil is exceeded...
at low speeds. They consist of one or more flat plates attached to the underside of the wing
Wing
A wing is an appendage with a surface that produces lift for flight or propulsion through the atmosphere, or through another gaseous or liquid fluid...
near its leading edge, roughly parallel to normal airflow. They function as vortex generator
Vortex generator
A vortex generator is an aerodynamic surface, consisting of a small vane or bump that creates a vortex. Vortex generators can be found on many devices, but the term is most often used in aircraft design....
s, and these vortices restrict airflow along the length of the wing. The can also be used to improve low speed aileron
Aileron
Ailerons are hinged flight control surfaces attached to the trailing edge of the wing of a fixed-wing aircraft. The ailerons are used to control the aircraft in roll, which results in a change in heading due to the tilting of the lift vector...
performance. The pylon used to mount jet engine
Jet engine
A jet engine is a reaction engine that discharges a fast moving jet to generate thrust by jet propulsion and in accordance with Newton's laws of motion. This broad definition of jet engines includes turbojets, turbofans, rockets, ramjets, pulse jets...
s under the wing produces a similar effect. Vortilons may be preferred to wing fence
Wing fence
Wing fences, also known as boundary layer fences and potential fences are fixed aerodynamic devices attached to aircraft wings. Not to be confused with wingtip fences, wing fences are flat plates fixed to the upper surfaces parallel to the airflow. They are often seen on swept-wing aircraft...
s as producing less drag at higher speeds.
Vortilons were introduced in the McDonnell Douglas DC-9
McDonnell Douglas DC-9
The McDonnell Douglas DC-9 is a twin-engine, single-aisle jet airliner. It was first manufactured in 1965 with its maiden flight later that year. The DC-9 was designed for frequent, short flights. The final DC-9 was delivered in October 1982.The DC-9 was followed in subsequent modified forms by...
to overcome deep stalling issues. They have been used on a number of subsequent aircraft, including:
- BAe 125 1000 series
- Hawker 800XP
- Embraer ERJ 145 familyEmbraer ERJ 145 familyThe Embraer ERJ 145 family is a series of regional jets produced by Embraer, a Brazilian aerospace company. Family members include the ERJ 135 , ERJ 140 , and ERJ 145 , as well as the Legacy business jet and the R-99 family of military aircraft. The ERJ 145 is the largest of the group...
- Learjet 45Learjet 45-See also:-References:* Taylor, Michael J.H. Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1999/2000. London:Brassey's, 1999. ISBN 1 85753 245 7.-External links:*...
- Aériane SwiftAériane SwiftThe Aériane SWIFT is an unusual family of aircraft. Originally conceived as a rigid hang glider with sailplane-like performance, it was designed by Bright Star Gliders in collaboration with engineers at Stanford University as a boomerang-shaped wing with fins at its tips...
External links
- Wing Vortex Devices from Aerospaceweb.org explains vortilons and other vortex-generating wing appliances