Oil Flow Images

A new boundary-flow control method has demonstrated large performance improvements in air. The method was invented by Dr. Sumon Sinha and developed in cooperation with Jim Hendrix. To date, enough data has been collected to demonstrate the potential of this method. Performance data from a full-scale glider shows routine improvements around 25%. Furthermore, instances of extreme performance have been measured repeatedly. The method works by marginally detaching the flow over most of the wing surfaces, a condition that can be seen in oil flow visualizations.

Dick Johnson

In December of 2006, the glider was taken to the legendary Richard H. (Dick) Johnson for independent testing. Johnson confirmed average improvements of 13% to 18% at 50 knots indicated airspeed. He measured sink rates manually using well established methods. However, a flight data recorder corroborates his results, eliminating questions of human error. Johnson summarized his report, with the conclusion that "the new Sinha Deturbulator could be the first really significant drag-reducing aerodynamic invention since the development of the now-common laminar-flow airfoils that were developed some 65 years ago."

The deturbulator method eliminates transition bubbles, reduces turbulence and eliminates skin friction from regions of the wing where the flow is stabilized in a marginally detached configuration. This requires a delicate balance of conditions, but measurements indicate that it can be achieved repeatedly. For more information, read the Project Summary.

This method's potential has been demonstrated. Sufficient data exists to justify R&D efforts to:

1. understand and model deturbulator dynamics and airfoil performance,
2. improve the design for robust performance,
3. develop new airfoils that exploit the technology and
4. develop practical applications in aviation, wind power, ground transportation, etc.