Patent ID: 11858615
Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
Field: Engines, pumps, turbines (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B  F  Y | IPC B  F

Claim 0:
1. A rotating airfoil assembly comprising:
a rotation axis; and
a plurality of rotating airfoils connected to each other to rotate about the rotation axis, the plurality of rotating airfoils including a first rotating airfoil and a second rotating airfoil, each rotating airfoil of the plurality of rotating airfoils including:
a leading edge;
a trailing edge;
a suction surface between the leading edge and the trailing edge;
a pressure surface between the leading edge and the trailing edge, the pressure surface being positioned on an opposite side of the rotating airfoil from the suction surface such that, when air flows over the suction surface and the pressure surface of the rotating airfoil as the rotating airfoil rotates about the rotation axis, the rotating airfoil generates lift;
at least one opening on the suction surface, the at least one opening being configured to eject air or to draw in air; and
a conduit formed in the rotating airfoil and fluidly connected to the at least one opening,

wherein the conduit of the first rotating airfoil is fluidly connected to the conduit of the second rotating airfoil to fluidly connect the at least one opening of the first rotating airfoil with the at least one opening of the second rotating airfoil, and
wherein, when (i) the first rotating airfoil is rotating in an upward direction, (ii) the second rotating airfoil is rotating in a downward direction, and (iii) the rotation axis is angled upward relative to an airflow flowing into the rotating airfoil assembly, air (a) is drawn into the at least one opening of the second rotating airfoil, (b) travels from the at least one opening of the second rotating airfoil through the conduits of the first rotating airfoil and the second rotating airfoil to the at least one opening of the first rotating airfoil, and (c) is ejected from the at least one opening of the first rotating airfoil thereby disrupting air flowing over the suction surface of the first rotating airfoil.