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Airbus Challenges Patent on Fuel-Saving Winglets Used by Boeing
(Way to bite the hand that feeds you Airbus) Airbus SAS, the largest aircraft maker, sued a partner of Boeing Co. (BA) to avoid paying patent royalties for wing tips that make airplanes more fuel-efficient. The lawsuit filed today in Austin, Texas, asks the federal court to declare that the Aviation Partners Inc. patent is invalid and that Airbus doesn’t infringe. Closely held Aviation Partners, which has a joint venture with Boeing to make winglets that reduce drag on an airplane, has “stated… (www.bloomberg.com) Más...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
Flew (oops)
I guess I'm missing something, but Gulfstream and Lear have been flying blended Winglets for many many years. The G-3 has been flying since the 80's with a blended winglet. So what give?
You are absolutely correct, API istalled them on the Gulfdtram to begin with and than sold Boeing on the idea, I was on the team that installed them on the first Boeing A/P for Boeing
Frankly, I think it is neat that some old farts designed it, patented it and put it into widespread use receiving accolades without selling their souls to do it.
"Blended" means a smooth curve into the winglet which evidently avoids significant turbulence = fuel savings.
The other types going back before 1900 did not have the advantage of the curvature but were more like the Airbus "fence". Aren't computers great for aerodynamic modeling?
The other types going back before 1900 did not have the advantage of the curvature but were more like the Airbus "fence". Aren't computers great for aerodynamic modeling?
I don't know, but the last time I fly or looked at a Gulfstream it looked blended to me... I currently fly the Airbus and I get the old Airbus fence!
Here is the critical part from the patent abstract: "In a critical departure from the usual winglet design approach, the sensitive transition section features a smoothly varying chord distribution which blends smoothly and continuously with the wing and with the adjoining straight section."
http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/5348253.html
http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/5348253.html