Patent ID: 8556215

Claim:
An aerodynamic surface, comprising: (a) an aerodynamic surface adapted to receive on oncoming flow of fluid that moves from an upstream position to a downstream position in accordance with a direction of flow, the surface oriented such that the angle of attack between the receiving portion of the aerodynamic surface and the direction of flow of the fluid is less than 90 degrees, (b) the surface being divided into a pattern of generally diamond shaped areas, each diamond shaped area including a leading corner that is upstream from its diamond shaped area, opposite side corners and a trailing corner that is downstream from its diamond shaped area, (c) each diamond shaped area having a contour that when viewed from a cross section taken in a plane normal to the aerodynamic surface that passes through the leading corner and the trailing corner presents a wave shaped cross section having a wave form that forms a generally rounded crest adjacent to the trailing corner which further includes an undercutting tubular portion that is under the generally rounded crest and that extends slightly forward of the downstream end of the generally rounded crest the undercutting tubular portion extendin laterally substantially from the trailing corner to each of the opposite side corners, whereby, fluid passing over the aerodynamic surface follows a path of least resistance such that resistance offered by the aerodynamic surface is reduced.