Spark technology

A novel method of producing airfoils / NACA wings

AFFILIATION

University of Iceland

INVENTORS

Solrun Traustadottir and Andri Orrason

ISSUED US PATENT

Issued US Patent: P11936US00 / US 10,391,722 B1

Title: METHOD OF PRODUCING AEROFOILS

Date of Patent: August 27th 2019

“The present invention can optimise aerodynamics whole providing more sustainable production processes and more durable seamless airfoils /wings.”

The present inventions provide (1) a process of producing composite material airfoils that does not require post-production assembly of individual components forming the upper and lower surfaces of the airfoil. In other words, the aerodynamic components of the airfoil structure can be produced as a single structure, eliminating the need for post-production gluing of individual parts of the aerodynamic structure (upper and lower surfaces). The invention also provides (2) airfoil structures produced by the method. The airfoil structures are produced from composite materials which combine advantageous properties of being extraordinarily strong and corrosion-resistant yet having low weight.

ADVANTAGES & STRENGTHS

Airfoils are produced from material that ideally has properties of strength, elasticity, low weight and corrosion resistance. The present invention can optimise aerodynamics while providing more sustainable production processes and more durable seamless airfoils / wings.

“They surprised me with the quality of, and method used to create their wings.”

-Willem Toet, Professor, Aerodynamics Specialist, Top-level motorsport + Formula 1 expert.

APPLICATIONS & MARKET OPPORTUNITIES

Airfoil structures are commonly found on vehicles that are designed to move at a high speed, such as airplanes, helicopters, race cars, drones and boats.

The application that the present inventions can provide are:

-Method of producing airfoils / wings

-Seamless airfoils / wings

The invention provides solutions to the following sustainable development goals of the United Nations:

RELATED PUBLICATIONS

• Teamspark website
• Article on LinkedIn, Icelandic Aerofoil Humbles Formula 1 Engineer
• Article on the University of Iceland website, Team Spark's car TS21 unveiled at the University Centre
• Article in Composite World from Desember 2022, University of Iceland develops process for manufacturing one-piece racecar airfoils
  

APPLICATIONS & MARKET OPPORTUNITIES

TTO Iceland is looking for interested industrial partners and entreprenurs for licensing the offered technology. We are willing to provide you with a more elaborate presentation of the technology if requested.

For more information please contact us.