Erosion protection system and method

Abstract

An erosion protection system and method applicable to foils or aerodynamic surfaces. Single element erosion protective elements having joggles are provided, each single element being alignable with the next to provide a contiguous erosion protection layer.

1 . An erosion protection method for use with foils or aerodynamic surfaces, the erosion protection method comprising:
 a male protective element having a male joggle at a distal end, said male protective element for forming a protective layer, said male protective element having a plurality of inverse v-shaped ends at transverse ends; and   a female protective element having a female joggle at a proximal end for forming a protective layer, said female protective element having a plurality of inverse v-shaped ends at transverse ends; wherein the male protective element and the female protective element form said protective layer by first applying the male protective element with its male joggle at the distal end onto the foil or aerodynamic surface and then laterally and adjacently aligning the female protective element with the male protective element and applying the female protective element onto the foil or aerodynamic surface by aligning and mating the female joggle at a proximal end with the male joggle at the distal end to form a contiguous protective layer that provides erosion protection to the foil or aerodynamic surface.   
     
     
         2 . An erosion protection method for use with foils or aerodynamic surfaces, the erosion protection method comprising:
 providing a male protective element having a male joggle at a distal end, said male protective element for forming a protective layer, said male protective element having a plurality of inverse v-shaped ends at transverse ends; and   providing a female protective element having a female joggle at a proximal end for forming a protective layer, said female protective element having a plurality of inverse v-shaped ends at transverse ends; wherein the male protective element and the female protective element form said protective layer by first applying the male protective element with its male joggle at the distal end onto the foil or aerodynamic surface and then laterally and adjacently aligning the female protective element with the male protective element and applying the female protective element onto the foil or aerodynamic surface by aligning and mating the female joggle at a proximal end with the male joggle at the distal end to form a contiguous protective layer that provides erosion protection to the foil or aerodynamic surface.