Review of Variable Leading Edge Patents for Aircraft Wings and Engine Inlets and Their Relevance for Variable Pitot Inlets in Future Supersonic Transport
- The motivation for designing variable pitot inlets for future supersonic transport (SST) is explained. A comprehensive overview of existing technological solutions for variable leading edges of aircraft wings and engines inlets is given. The advantages and limitations of over 80 solutions, as well as their relevance for application on variable pitot inlets for SST are analysed. These analyses emphasis challenges of existing solution options concerning design methodologies, level of detail and experience with a technology.