Patent ID: 7832689

Claim:
An element for generating a fluid dynamic force, the element comprising, first and second surfaces extending in opposite directions from a leading edge and meeting at a trailing edge thereof to define a three dimensional body that is shaped to generate a fluid dynamic force when immersed at an angle of attack α to a fluid flow over the body in a flow direction U, the first surface having an array of fluid inlets and the second surface having a corresponding array of fluid outlets, each said inlets being fluidly coupled to one of the outlets by means of a fluid duct at least part of which is pitched at an angle θ to a tangent plane to said second surface in the vicinity of said outlet and skewed at an angle φ to said fluid flow direction U, the arrangement being such that the body is operable in use to generate a relatively high fluid pressure region downstream of said leading edge proximate said first surface and a relatively low fluid pressure region downstream of said leading edge proximate said second surface, and fluid from said relatively high fluid pressure region is enabled to flow into said fluid inlets through said fluid ducts and out of said fluid outlets into said relatively low pressure region to generate fluid vortices which reenergise said low pressure region and delay boundary layer separation from said second surface.